POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: VERDE VALLEY INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL SAW CREW

START/END DATE:  SEPTEMBER 2019 – MARCH 2020 (ANTICIPATED)

STIPEND: $295/WEEK (+MEALS WHILE ON PROJECT)

LOCATION: FLAGSTAFF

STATUS: 900-HOUR AMERICORPS SERVICE TERM

BENEFITS: AMERICORPS EDUCATION AWARD $2,960.00 AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION

 SUMMARY:

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS (AZCC):

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, White Mountains, and Tucson. 

CORPSMEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Work effectively as member of crew
• Perform heavy manual labor related to environmental conservation and restoration projects
• Work outdoors in all types of weather and successfully adapts to various climates
• Camps overnight outdoors in wilderness areas near work sites for short or extended periods of time effectively learn and apply new environmental conservation and restoration skills and outdoor living skills
• Actively participate in environmental education activities
• Practice appropriate safety procedures in all tasks assigned
• Use, maintain and repair hand and power tools as necessary

PROJECT WORK:

AZCC works with a variety of land management agencies in Arizona, such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management.  Projects vary across crews and locations.  This crew will be focused on invasive plant treatment in the Verde Valley.

This position is in collaboration with the Friends of the Verde River (FVRG), a non profit based in Cottonwood, AZ seeking to work collaboratively to restore habitat, sustain flows and promote community stewardship to support a healthy Verde River System.

Corpsmembers will work on public and private land to control four target invasive species.  The Verde River is an important resource to the local community and is a Federally Designated Wild and Scenic River, it supports over 270 species of birds, 94 species of mammals and 76 species of reptiles and amphibians!

To protect the river and its surrounding environment crews will work with hand tools, chainsaws and herbicide to treat and remove these plants.  The project work includes mapping and monitoring of previous treatments, retreating areas that have been previously treated, and working on initial treatments.  The Verde River is a treasure in the state of Arizona that needs your help!

TRAINING

Corpsmembers receive a variety of formal and informal trainings during their term of service.  The first week of the term is committed to formal training and orientation that consists of Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace, Outdoor Living, Crew Culture and goal setting as well as additional training in herbicide handling, plant identification and riparian restoration.       

This crew will also have an additional week of formal training focuses on chainsaw use and safety that could potentially lead to federally recognized certifications.

Informal training will continue throughout the term with on the ground skills training to include things like tool sharpening, plant identification and an overview of public land management agencies.

Required Skills

EXPECTATIONS:  

AZCC is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. AZCC is an independent, non-residential program. The Corpsmember must supply his/her own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/ work boots, personal cook set.  AZCC will provide the tools, protective gear,transportation to projects and meals. 

SCHEDULE:  

The typical schedule is four ten-hour days with three days off, or eight to nine days on with six days off, either in town or on spike (camping at the project) depending on proximity to the work site from Dead Horse Ranch State Park near Cottonwood, AZ.  The day starts at 7:00 AM with a stretch circle and safety meeting. The day includes two fifteen minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. The day concludes at 5:30 PM. 

COMPENSATION:  

Corpsmembers are paid an AmeriCorps living stipend which averages out at $295 per week or $580 biweekly before taxes. Upon completion of the term the Corpsmember will receive an education award of $2,960  for a 900 hour term of service to be used for paying off student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.    

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 25
• US citizen
• Received a high school diploma or GED.
• All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position. 

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 represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

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 direction 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 so as 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 in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

SUBSTANCE FREE: 

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

Required Experience

EXPECTATIONS:  

AZCC is a drug-free organization; alcohol and illegal substances are prohibited. AZCC is an independent, non-residential program. The Corpsmember must supply his/her own personal outdoor gear and equipment such as a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, day pack, multi-day pack, work pants, hiking/ work boots, personal cook set.  AZCC will provide the tools, protective gear,transportation to projects and meals. 

SCHEDULE:  

The typical schedule is four ten-hour days with three days off, or eight to nine days on with six days off, either in town or on spike (camping at the project) depending on proximity to the work site from Dead Horse Ranch State Park near Cottonwood, AZ.  The day starts at 7:00 AM with a stretch circle and safety meeting. The day includes two fifteen minute breaks and a half hour break for lunch. The day concludes at 5:30 PM. 

COMPENSATION:  

Corpsmembers are paid an AmeriCorps living stipend which averages out at $295 per week or $580 biweekly before taxes. Upon completion of the term the Corpsmember will receive an education award of $2,960  for a 900 hour term of service to be used for paying off student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.    

QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 25
• US citizen
• Received a high school diploma or GED.
• All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.

PARTICIPANT ESSENTIAL ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: 

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and therefore may not apply directly to your particular position. 

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 represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

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 direction 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 so as 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 in excess of 12 hours, to reach the nearest advanced medical care.

SUBSTANCE FREE: 

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