Job description

Position Title: AmeriCorps Land Steward and Outreach
Position Service Site: Mississippi Valley Conservancy and Friends of the Blufflands (La Crosse, WI)
Service Time: May 30 – August 18, 2023 (450 hours total)

• 30 Hours/Week with Mississippi Valley Conservancy and 10 Hours/Week with Friends of the

Blufflands for a total of 40 Hours/Week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for whole term = $6,000 ($500 per week) Education Award = $1,824.07 upon successful completion of service.
Requirements: Covid-19 Vaccine Required

OVERVIEW: Mississippi Valley Conservancy (the Conservancy) and Friends of the Blufflands (FBL) collaboratively work to protect and restore the unique habitats of the Driftless Area of SW Wisconsin.

• Mississippi Valley Conservancy is an accredited nonprofit land trust that works with conservation-minded landowners who choose to permanently protect land through conservation easements and land acquisition efforts.
• Friends of the Blufflands is a nonprofit based in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Their mission is to promote sound conservation practices in the Coulee Region blufflands and to be a voice for a wide variety of blufflands users who value the area blufflands for the increased quality of life they provide.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The AmeriCorps Land Steward and Outreach Member will provide opportunities for gaining practical conservation stewardship and outreach skills while exploring career options, to promote community service and environmental awareness through community engagement and volunteerism in the outdoors.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Land Stewardship

• Assist with habitat management and restoration of native prairie, forest, oak savanna, and wetland habitat on Conservancy-protected land throughout southwest Wisconsin
• Gain skills and expertise in several aspects of wildlife habitat management, including species identification, timber stand improvement, prescribed burning, prairie planting, oak savanna and prairie restoration, invasive species control, and trail maintenance
• Operate and maintain chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide applicators, mowers, and UTVs to accomplish habitat management tasks as assigned
• Assist with installing, improving, and updating kiosks, signs, and trails
• Help supervise school and volunteer groups during land restoration workdays

Outreach

• Help broaden the base of habitat restoration volunteers to expand land management activities on nature preserves
• Help schedule and lead volunteer workdays and guided nature discovery walks for participating families and individuals to help them feel confident and prepared for working on their own
• Keep detailed records of volunteer hours, program activity, and event attendance for continual program improvement and grant reporting
• Use basic budgetary and financial guidelines to manage expenses

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:

• Chain saws, brush cutters, shovels, wheelbarrows, Pulaski, pickaxe, and other hand tools
• UTV operation as needed

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Willingness and ability to use herbicides, chainsaws, and any other tools required to complete assigned tasks
• Possess a valid driver’s license and working vehicle
• Physical demands and service environment regularly requires the service member to be outdoors in wooded areas and on steep, uneven natural terrain.
• Physically able to work long days outside in inclement weather, hike on and off trail
• Able to carry up to 50 pounds of equipment
• Work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense, sunshine, rain, and snow
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
• Ability to work independently to complete assigned tasks.
• Knowledge of habitat restoration principles and practices preferred
• Forestry, ornithology, or other natural resources specialty preferred
• First aid, CPR certification preferred
• Herbicide/pesticide applicator certification preferred
• Advanced SAW, FISTA, or other chainsaw certification preferred
• Prescribed or wild land fire experience preferred
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with reasonable accommodation
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

To apply, visit https://wiscorps.wufoo.com/forms/zt90wiz07w6j3d/

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, byor Wisconsin Relay 711.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $500.00 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: One location

off-roadmanagementgroup.com is the go-to platform for job seekers looking for the best job postings from around the web. With a focus on quality, the platform guarantees that all job postings are from reliable sources and are up-to-date. It also offers a variety of tools to help users find the perfect job for them, such as searching by location and filtering by industry. Furthermore, off-roadmanagementgroup.com provides helpful resources like resume tips and career advice to give job seekers an edge in their search. With its commitment to quality and user-friendliness, off-roadmanagementgroup.com is the ideal place to find your next job.