Iowa Water Trails Crew Member (Americorps)

Job Overview

Water Trails Crews (AmeriCorps) travel around the state of Iowa by boat and/or canoes to maintain the state’s water trail system ensuring they are cleared of vegetation, are well maintained and ready to be utilized by recreational paddlers. The Water Trails Crew program prioritizes personal and professional growth while teaching hands-on conservation skills in the field. Members develop technical skills throughout their term while completing challenging and impactful conservation projects. Projects vary by region and crew location, but may include:

• Improving/Maintaining river accesses
• Water trail maintenance
• Stream bank stabilization, erosion control
• Log jam/snag removal

• Sign installation or removal
• Trash Collection and removal
• Participation in large community event, Project AWARE- conduct pre-event assessment and address safety concerns

Projects are in partnership with public land management agencies such as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, cities, counties and water trail associations.  Water Trail Crew members also participate in staffing Iowa’s largest river clean-up event, Project AWARE, assisting with preparation for the event scouting the event route, addressing any safety concerns as well as logistics and operational support for the direction of the event. Projects are physically challenging and team-oriented and occur throughout Iowa, including urban and wilderness settings. Depending on crew location, up to 50% of projects will be out-of-town assignments, requiring camping for 4 consecutive days. Crews are led by AmeriCorps Crew Leaders and supervised by two Regional Managers.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Complete natural resources service projects in cooperation with fellow members safely, effectively and efficiently and to the satisfaction and specifications of the project host
• Abide by Corps program safety regulations as well as applicable federal/state/municipal law and OSHA requirements; communicate any safety concerns and incidents
• Contribute actively to the team to complete projects, demonstrating a commitment to the Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity and community, as well as justice, diversity, and inclusion.
• Positive attitude, desire to learn new skills, interest in community service; represent Conservation Corps in positive manner in public
• Serve a minimum of 450 or 900 hours and complete the entire service term per the start and end dates listed on the Member Service Agreement
• Complete and approve timecards and other required reports and paperwork in timely manner

Hours & Schedule

Schedules can vary, depending on crew location. Crew members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is Monday – Thursday, 7:00 AM – 5:30 PM, including a mandatory 30 minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours. Overnight travel (4 consecutive days) is often required for service projects.

Training & Development

The Corps provides orientation and skills training at the start of the program year, and additional region or project specific training throughout the service term that may include:

• AmeriCorps benefits
• Team building and conflict resolution
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Safety and risk management
• Power and hand tool safety and maintenance
• First Aid and CPR
• Trailer operation and safety
• Leave No Trace principles.

No more than 20% of total service hours will be spent on training and development activities.

Qualifications

• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors and in all weather conditions
• Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity, and community
• Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
• Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:

• Long (10 hour) days of shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools repetitively
• Long (10 hour) days of chainsawing / brush sawing
• Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
• Extended periods of sitting/padding in a watercraft
• Working in extremes of heat or cold

• Flexible schedule to accommodate week-long out of town assignments and emergency response
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US
• Must pass a criminal history check consisting of a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a state criminal history check, and a fingerprint-based FBI check. Passing the criminal history check is defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the state or FBI checks.
• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED

Other Information

In accordance with 45CFR 2520.65, AmeriCorps members may not perform prohibited service activities directly or indirectly by recruiting, training, or managing others for the primary purpose of engaging in the activities. Prohibited service activities are outlined in the Service Agreement section VII and AmeriCorps member manual.

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values the diversity of its staff and members and does not discriminate against anyone. Employment/placement decisions with Conservation Corps will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Conservation Corps does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, military service, union membership, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status with regards to public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law. Conservation Corps engages AmeriCorps members, ages 18-35, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable accommodations available upon request.

Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Women, BIPOC, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.