Land & Water Stewards-AmeriCorps Position (2)

Green Iowa AmeriCorps | Land & Water Stewards

Dubuque County Conservation

Swiss Valley Nature Center, 13606 Swiss Valley Road Peosta, IA 52068

Position Description - Land & Water Steward (2)

Site Supervisor(s): Kaytlan Moeller, Dubuque County Conservation Naturalist kaytlan.moeller@dubuquecounty.us

Terms: Position based on completion of 1700 hours over an 11-month service period. Approximately 37-40 hours per week, occasional nights and weekends. Anticipated service schedule for this host site is 7am - 3:30pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional nights and weekends as required for host site needs. Flexible vacation and sick leave. Outside employment is allowed during off hours, school attendance allowed during off hours.

Member Duties:

?     Planting, seeding, cutting, trimming, pesticide application, burning, removal of hazardous  trees, mowing, control of noxious weeds and invasive species, etc. 

?     Assists with implementing management plans for Dubuque County Conservation areas.

?     Including timber management plans, timber sales, crop leases, food plot plants,  wetland development, water quality improvement projects, and prairie restorations

?     Provides information and conducts public relations activities through presentations and  articles to educate and inform the public on natural resources, habitat improvement, and water quality projects. 

?     Including working to create a team of natural resource stewards 

?     Lead volunteer groups throughout county parks, and recreation areas to perform  stewardship and service projects including trail work, habitat restoration, invasive species  removal, etc. 

?     Design informational kiosks and brochures, produce quarterly newsletters, and engage  community members via print materials, online presence, and social media outlets

The ideal candidate will possess the following:

?     Valid driver's license

?     Interest or degree in the following areas: Biology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Interpretation, Animal Ecology, Forestry or any other related field. 

?      Ability to speak before public and private groups.

?      Possess or willingness to learn the knowledge in operation, maintenance, and repair of machines, tools, equipment and work aids.

?      

Members can expect to gain or strengthen the following skills/abilities:

?     Obtain a pesticide applicator license

?     Obtain S130/ S190 controlled wildfire training 

?     Obtain CPR & First Aid certification

?     Hands-on learning experiences with other organizations and government entities possibly including electrofishing with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, a backstage tour of the National River Mississippi Museum and Aquarium, interpretive hikes with the Iowa State Archeologist Office, kayaking and river navigation, interviewing skills and resume building workshops. 

Physical Demands: Ability to lift and carry heavy objects such as tree branches, seed, machinery and conduct movements such as but not limited to balancing, twisting, climbing, kneeling, walking, pulling, pushing, lifting, etc. 

Work Environment: Work is conducted primarily outdoors so the employee is exposed to  weather conditions prevalent at that time. Sometimes the employee may be exposed to moving machinery, dust, fumes, gases, and moderate to loud noises. 

Benefits:

?     Living Allowance: $17,000 total for 11-months distributed evenly in monthly installments

?     Segal Education Award: $6,345 contingent upon successful completion of the program

?     Student Loan Forbearance for qualified student loans

?     Federal Student Loan Deferment

?     Healthcare Coverage

?     Public Loan Forgiveness Qualification

?     Interest Accrual Repayment

?     Flexible vacation and sick leave

?     Individualized Professional Development Opportunities

?     Leadership experience and skill development

?     Trainings and Certifications

Eligibility: 

?     Be at least 17 years of age by the time of enrollment which begins in September 2021.

?     Be a United States citizen or have a permanent resident visa.

?     Have served no more than four terms of service in national service programs. Note: If a  person has earned the equivalent of two full time education awards, he/she is still eligible to serve up to four terms but is not eligible for another education award. 

To Apply:

Please visit www.greeniowaamericorps.org/open-positions to fill out an online application, following that you will need to send a resume and three professional references to giacrecruitment@gmail.com.