Overview

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Quick Stats:

Term Length: Oct 2nd – March 16th

Pay: $285/week, plus $2,907 education award upon completion

Schedule: 8 days on, 6 days off; subject to change – but rare.

Age range: 18 – 25

 

Job Description

What does it mean to be a Corpsmember?

 

Participate in an AmeriCorps program focused on environmental conservation and habitat restoration.  This includes heavy manual labor in an outdoor setting, along the Gila River which is 649 miles long! Restoration and conservation projects take place in the Safford area on public and private land, focusing mostly on the removal of Tamarisk.

Camping out for up to nine days at a time is a required part of this position.  Corpsmembers will be expected to take an active role on their crew of up to eight people, working and camping together to accomplish the project assignments.  A passion for being outdoors and working with a team is required!

Participants must also be able to actively participate in environmental and education activities, practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned; use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary.

Most importantly, participants must be interested in and committed to actively improving the habitat along the Gila River through a variety of conservation and restoration techniques including invasive plant removal and herbicide treatments. All while developing professional skills to be applied in future jobs within the field of natural resource management.

 

Project Work

AZCC works with a variety of land management agencies in Arizona, such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.  Projects vary across crews and locations.  This crew will be focused on invasive plant treatments along the Gila River.

Partnering with the Gila Watershed Partnership, a non profit organization based in Safford, AZ and focused on river restoration, corpsmembers will work on public and private land to restore, native habitat.  The Gila River is an important resource to the local community and region.  It’s riparian habitat support a variety of birds, including two threatened and endangered species.

To protect the river and its surrounding environment crews will work with hand tools, chainsaws and herbicide to treat and remove these plants.  The project work includes initial treatment of new areas as well as retreatment or quality control of some previously treated sites.  Data collection and mapping using tablets and GIS software is also a big part of the daily work. The Gila River is a treasure in Arizona’s desert and it needs your help!

 

Our Ideal Candidate…

Can work hard all day and loves to be outside

Has an interest in the project work and a passion for conservation

Isn’t afraid to try new things or learn new skills

Enjoys working as part of a team towards a common goal

Likes to have fun!

 

Training

Corpsmembers receive a variety of formal and informal trainings during their term of service.  The first week of the term is committed to formal training and orientation that consists of Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living, Crew Culture and goal setting as well as additional training in herbicide handling, plant identification and riparian restoration.

This crew will also have an additional week of formal training focuses on chainsaw use and safety that could potentially lead to federally recognized certifications.

Informal training will continue throughout the term with on the ground skills training to include things like tool sharpening, plant identification and an overview of public land management agencies.

 

Expectations

AZCC is a drug free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited.  AZCC is an independent, non-residential program.  The Corpsmember must supply his/her own outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/work boots.  Food will be provided while on project.  AZCC will provide the tools, protective gear and transportation to projects.

 

Schedule

The typical schedule is eight days on with six days off, although this is subject to change if needed (this is rare).  During these “hitches” corpsmembers will be expected to camp out either in a front country or backcountry setting depending on proximity to the worksite.  The day starts at 7:00 AM with a stretch circle and safety meeting.  The day includes two fifteen-minute breaks and a half an hour break for lunch.  The day concludes at 5:30PM.

 

Compensation:

Corpsmembers are paid an AmeriCorps living stipend which averages out at $285 per week or $570 biweekly before taxes.  Upon completion of the term the Corpsmember will receive an education award of $2,907.50 for their 900 hours of service to be used for paying off student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.

 

Timeline

October 1, 2018 – March 16, 2019

 

Required Skills

 

Qualifications:

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 25, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.

****Preference will be given to applicants who are local to Tucson and the surrounding area.****

 

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position.

 

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

·         Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.

·         Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.

·         Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff.

·         Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service work requirements

·         Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

·         Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason.

 

Safety and Judgment:

·         Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.

·         Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard.

·         Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions

·         Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.

·         Respond appropriately to stress or crises.

·         If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

 

Environmental Ethics:

·         Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques

·         Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.

·         Live in a physically demanding, possibly remote environment for an uninterrupted period of up to several weeks. Conditions of this environment may vary significantly and may include severe and/or trying weather. The remoteness is such that it may require at a minimum one hour, but perhaps in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

·         Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate)

 

Substance Free:

·         In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

Job Location

Tucson, Arizona, United States

Position Type

Full-Time/Regular

APPLY NOW AT www.AZCORPS.org/open-positions