ABOUT EARTHCORPS:

EarthCorps is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization with a mission of developing leaders to strengthen community and restore the health of our environment.  EarthCorps’ Corps Program is an intensive year-long training and service opportunity. We unite young adults (age 18 and above) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in habitat restoration, leadership, and community building. EarthCorps program participants are part of a diverse group of emerging environmental leaders committed to teamwork, service, and personal growth.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Crew Members are out in the field every day working on teams and doing the physical service necessary to restore green spaces across the Puget Sound region. The Crew Member position is a training-level, seasonal position with EarthCorps. As an AmeriCorps Member, crew members will work on outdoor environmental restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound Region. Their work directly improves the resiliency of our land by restoring habitat, improving water and air quality, reducing erosion, sequestering carbon and engaging the broader community to become stewards of our shared resource.

In addition to impactful service, Crew Members have the opportunity to grow professionally and personally through training, implementing environmental projects, feedback and reflection.  Crew members learn valuable team building skills as they work on their communication, conflict management and leadership capacity. Members will join international exchange visitors from around the world as they build a global community, sharing insight and inspiration.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

FIELD SERVICE (80% of program)

Crew Members work on a team of 5-7 young adults performing hands-on environmental services. A Crew Leader guides the crew as they complete restoration projects at various sites, and in partnership with various land management agencies, throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings).

Project Implementation: Crew Members are responsible for the efficiency of accomplishing projects and the quality of the final product under supervision from project staff. All corps Members and staff are responsible for the safety of themselves, their fellow workers, and members of the public who may be involved with projects.

Field Service Projects (and estimates of their typical percentage of the program):

• Invasive plant removal (manual) 35%
• Invasive plant control (herbicide) 12%
• Native plant installation (planting) 15%
• Restoration site maintenance 15%
• Trail construction/maintenance 15%
• Volunteer management 8%

Multiple camping trips (Most of them frontcountry, up to 10 days/trip)

Environmental restoration is physically demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions.  New members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. Service regularly involves:

• Long days of repetitively swinging heavy tools, shoveling, and digging.
• Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. and bending,
• Working, eating, and sometimes camping in the outdoors in all weather conditions
• Walking on steep or uneven terrain up to 8 mi. (13 km) while carrying 40 lbs. (18 kg) of weight
• Working in extremes of heat or cold

TRAINING & WORKSHOPS (20% of program)

Corps members participate fully in retreats, workshops, and field trainings. These sessions provide skills and context for the restoration work that corps members complete. Topics rotate between field skills, leadership skills and community building skills. Workshops and retreats are lecture and discussion based. The range of topics are meant to give an introduction to topics in the field of restoration and develop interpersonal skills.

Habitat Restoration:

• Understanding of Best Management Practices of ecological restoration
• Exposure, knowledge and skill in the restoration and conservation field
• Exposure to PNW restoration industry and local environmental network
• Modeling of effective pace, quality, and quantity to fit environmental industry standards

Community building:

• Creating a strong internal community
• Working in a multi-cultural community
• Exposure to local PNW community and issues

Leadership:

• Understanding of leadership theory and personal style
• Leading a variety of community environmental restoration events
• Leading in a diverse, multi-cultural setting

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability and desire to work hard, outdoors and in all weather conditions
• Commitment to cooperation and teamwork with peers from around the world
• Eligibility for AmeriCorps and ability to complete term of service
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (22.5 kg); Hike up to 8 miles (13 km) while carrying 40 pounds (18kg) of weight for up to 9 hours per day
• Completed high school diploma/GED

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in outdoor field work or physical labor
• Commitment to community service and previous experience in volunteer service
• Enthusiasm for environmental conservation, science, recreation, or other related fields
• Capacity to learn and grow in a service-based training position
• Between 18-26 years old

CORPS MEMBER TERMS OF SERVICE:

• STATUS: Enrolled in AmeriCorps through the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS). AmeriCorps members must abide by policies set by CNCS and complete 1700 hours of service, including mandatory trainings
• PERIOD OF SERVICE: February 4 – December 10, 2020
• RATE OF PAY: Living stipend of $1,484/month
• TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday, with occasional Saturdays mandatory.  Alternating 4- and 5-day weeks.
• Overnight retreats and education sessions must be attended to fulfill program requirements

BENEFITS:

• AmeriCorps education award of $6,095 upon completion of 1,700 hours
• Medical Insurance
• Subsidized ORCA Pass for bus transportation
• Education & Training
• Boots, pants, shirts, rain gear and safety equipment provided