Hemlock Specialist

Job Overview

Title: Hemlock Specialist

Reports to: Patrick Kelly; Land Manager

Location: Lookout Mountain, TN/GA

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt (450-hour AmeriCorps National Service Term)

Stipend: $450 weekly (paid bi-weekly)

Health Benefits: Not Health Benefit Eligible

Other Benefits: Training, uniform shirts, and protective equipment provided. Other development opportunities as available. $1,718.25 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service term.

Position Dates: 12-week position, August 7, 2023, to October 27, 2023 (start and end date flexibility)

Positions Available: 1

Position open until filled.

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC):

SECC empowers young people to attain compassion, responsibility and grit through community service, hard work and environmental stewardship. SECC is a local, non-profit, AmeriCorps affiliated organization based out of Chattanooga, TN. SECC selects young adults ages 18 – 35, to complete conservation work projects on public, private, and municipal lands throughout the Southeast. SECC fosters the personal development of corpsmembers through environmental stewardship projects and experiential learning. Through community partnerships, SECC provides hands-on job training opportunities to young adults while simultaneously meeting natural resource needs throughout the Southeast. SECC positions focus on place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. SECC also provides an opportunity for interns to learn about the local environment, environmental issues and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers.

Position Descriptions:

Hemlock trees are a keystone species that play a major and unique role in providing habitats and food for about 120 species of vertebrates and more than 90 species birds. Hemlocks also provide protection for watersheds, shade for native plants, cool temperatures for streams and enhance water quality.

Lula Lake Land Trust’s goal is to treat over 12,000 hemlock trees within the Rock Creek and Bear Creek Watershed over the next two years. The Hemlock Specialist will be responsible for assisting in treating the bulk of these hemlocks from its invasive pest known as the Hemlock Wooly Adelgid. The intern will help Lula Lake Land Trust fulfill its efforts to help preserve the ecosystem’s natural benefits and the scenic views provided to the public. They will also focus on general maintenance and stewardship of all Lula Lake Land Trust properties.

Responsibilities:

Treat Hemlock Trees for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

• Locate and identify Hemlock trees that require HWA Treatment
• Measure the tree’s DBH and inject Imidacloprid into the soil using a soil injector
• Record data of treated trees

General Property Maintenance

• Performing cyclic maintenance of the core preserve and other LLLT properties
• Maintain trails, trailheads, and infrastructure

Assist with Public Events

• Set up and breakdown for public events
• Assist staff with event coordination
• Act as representative of LLLT

Trainings/Certification:

• Hemlock Treatment: Soil Injection, using diameter tape, mixing of chemicals and GPS training,
• Property Maintenance: Chainsaw, heavy equipment, hand tool, lawn mower, weed eater training

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35)
• Must have a valid driver’s license
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide documentation to support this
• Must have a high school diploma or GED, or agree to work toward attaining either during term of service (this is essential to obtaining and using the AmeriCorps Education Award)
• Must be cleared through an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, as well as state and federal Criminal History Checks
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Chainsaw, Mower, Weed Eater Experience
• Experience working in an outdoor environment

Compensation:

AmeriCorps members will receive an AmeriCorps living stipend of $450/week ($900 dispersed bi-weekly before taxes) via direct deposit. Upon successful completion of their term, interns will receive a $1,718.25. Segal AmeriCorps education award for tuition at Title IV accredited learning institutions, AmeriCorps approved non-traditional continued education or paying off federal student loans.

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.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• 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 always represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners.

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 directions 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.

Outdoor Skills and Fitness (where appropriate):

• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed 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 up to 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

Substance Free:

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

This program is available to all eligible applicants, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or religion. 

To Apply:

Please follow the link below and be sure to include a current resume as well as three references.

If you have questions regarding the position, please contact:

Patrick Kelly

Lula Lake Land Trust

[email protected]

If you have questions regarding the application process, please contact:

Kahla Stewart

Internship Program Coordinator

Southeast Conservation Corps

[email protected]