Superior National Forest Field Specialist Positions Available

Position: Field Specialist - Trail Maintenance
Number of Positions Available: 2
Location: Ely OR Grand Marais/Tofte Minnesota
Term: April 11 – September 15, 2011
Schedule: Full-time, Temporary, flexing schedule 10 hour days typical, some weekends required
Benefits: Stipend $1975 per month; post-service AmeriCorps education award $2675

The Conservation Corps provides hands-on environmental stewardship and service-learning opportunities to youth and young adults through natural resource management projects.

The Field Specialist is a full-time, temporary AmeriCorps position. Up to 85% of the Field Specialist’s time will be spent directly in the field scouting, coordinating and overseeing trail projects or providing training for crews. Significant travel and extended camping are required. Food and lodging (camping) is only provided while working on trail. This is not a residential position; the Field Specialist must secure housing near the shop location in Ely or Grand Marais/Tofte. This position reports to the Program Manager, who is responsible for the oversight of Field Specialists and Corpsmembers. Each Field Specialist will help manage 2 to 4 trail crews performing trail maintenance work in Superior National Forest. Crews are composed of 1 Crew Leader and 4 Crew Members, aged 18-25, and work seasonally from June through September. Projects range from 4 day assignments (followed by 3 days off) to 8 day assignments (followed by 6 days off).

Primary Duties:
• Assist with field coordination for AmeriCorps field crews, ensuring that projects are accomplished in an efficient, safe, and consistent manner.
• Assist with interviewing, hiring, and personnel management of AmeriCorps members and leaders.
• Coordinate project logistics with Program Manager and facilitate crew preparedness to complete each project. Communicate project objectives to corpsmembers to achieve this goal.
• Assist in technical aspects of trail projects.
• Maintain equipment, conduct repairs, and inventory.
• Provide educational, technical, and safety training for corpsmembers.
• Help facilitate corpsmember development to ensure that corpsmembers achieve personal and program success through the principles of teamwork and service-learning.
• Assist with safety program ensuring that corpsmembers are familiar with safety practices and precautions relating to work projects.
• Perform significant travel and overnight and weekend spike camp duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• Ability to motivate and train crew members and crew leaders, ages 18-25.
• Working knowledge of project management, specifically in trail building and maintenance.
• Experience with hand and power tools, chainsaw operations, construction and backcountry camping.
• Training coordination and facilitation experience.
• Ability to work well with minimal supervision, multi-task, and be flexible in responsibilities.
• Valid driver’s license / good driving record.
• Familiarity with AmeriCorps and local, state and federal natural resource agencies.
• Previous Corps or related experience.
• Four-year degree in a related field is preferred.
• A current Wilderness First Aid or equivalent certificate is preferred.

Requirements: Must be able to perform essential functions of the job including physically strenuous work 10 hours per day. Travel and extended camping are required. Personal protective equipment is provided and required. Must pass criminal record checks. Must be 21 or older in order to operate fleet vehicles.

Application Deadline: 3/14/2011
Submit a cover letter, resume, AND application online at www.conservationcorps.org/apply