United States Forest Service – Vegetation Management Stewards at Homochitto National Forest – AmeriCorps

Job Overview

Position Title: United States Forest Service – Vegetation Management Stewards at Homochitto National Forest – AmeriCorps

Number of Openings: Two

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: National Forests in Mississippi: Homochitto Ranger District

1200 MS Highway 184 Meadville, MS 39653

Terms of Service:

• Anticipated Start Date: 4/27/26
• Anticipated End Date: 9/25/26 (22 weeks)
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps Program which provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the conservation of natural areas. The Homochitto Ranger District is part of the Homochitto National Forest, which spans 191,839 acres in Southwestern Mississippi. Stewards, in partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) and Homochitto National Forest, is seeking two members who will serve alongside Forest Service staff, gaining hands-on experience in collecting common stand exam data and ecological restoration.

The Vegetation Management Steward is an AmeriCorps position which will provide support to the USFS and Homochitto National Forest to meet future regional, forest, and district silviculture and timber objectives. The AmeriCorps members will collaborate with Forest Service staff to collect common stand exam data for the Sandy Creek Wildlife Management Area and surrounding stands. The members will also assist the timber program with harvest unit layouts, complete archeological surveys, and help with the eradication and containment of Non-Native Invasive Species. These projects will provide members with hands-on conservation experience to help gain field techniques, encourage future land stewardship, and opportunities to build and advance professional skills.

If you are ready to embark on a fulfilling journey with the USFS and Homochitto National Forest, apply now at conservationlegacy:Career Search by uploading your resume and cover letter, and take the first step towards a rewarding career with the United States Forest Service!

To learn more about Stewards, please visit: Homepage | Stewards Individual Placement Program

To learn more about the USFS and Homochitto National Forest, please visit: National Forests in Mississippi | Homochitto | Forest Service

Description of Duties:

As an AmeriCorps Member serving with the USFS at Homochitto National Forest, your responsibilities will include:

• Collecting field data during common stand exams by navigating various plot points and using a tablet to record quick plot data such as tree diameters, heights, and species.
• Assisting with harvest unit layouts by flagging boundaries, using a GPS device to traverse the area, and painting the unit boundary when necessary.
• Completing grid pattern archeological surveys over proposed harvest units using survey methods such as digging and sifting soil samples in collaboration with the district archeologist.
• Applying herbicide to Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) in the district such as cogon grass, Chinese wisteria, and kudzu.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Between the ages of 18 – 30, or up to age 35 with Veteran status.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Degree or previous experience in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or Botany is preferred.
• Certification in herbicide application is preferred but not required.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours a week Monday – Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Serving on weekends and federal holidays may be required.
• The member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
• The member will serve in-person on-site.

Orientation and Training:

• The member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• The member will receive training in the field on tree species identification, tree measurements, and data collecting.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14.
• Living Allowance of $630 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week.
• One-time Relocation Stipend of $500.
• Approved Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) funds of $250.
• Local housing available.
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible.
• Loan forbearance if Eligible.
• Interest Payments if Eligible.

• Eligible for Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority upon successful completion of term.
• Training and Professional Development Opportunities.

• Employee Wellness Program (connect with a licensed professional counselor and 24/7 support).

• Networking and Mentorship.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:

Meaghan Hall

Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator

[email protected]

681-666-3266

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.