Project Sponsor: Northwest Service Academy-Mt. Adams Center www.mtadamscenter.org [1]
Service Dates: February 7 – November 10, 2011
NWSA Mission: This position is in partnership with the Northwest Service Academy (NWSA), an AmeriCorps program of ESD112. NWSA's mission is to preserve and restore the natural environment, and to develop community leaders through service and community partnerships. www.nwserviceacademy.org [2]
Project Location: 2453 HWY 141, Trout Lake, WA 98650
Position Summary:
The Field Team Leader position is often described as the hardest job you will ever love. It requires the ability to work well with people, the aptitude to learn and teach new skills and the willingness to put the needs of the group ahead of your own. The Mt. Adams Center (MAC) employs a co-leader model with two leaders on every six-person team. Leaders are responsible for creating a strong and collaborative team that can complete projects in a safe and efficient manner.
Leaders must be able to communicate well and be capable of creating respectful relationships with peers and sponsors. Given that teams live and work together for the duration of the season, Leaders must also be able to uphold the standards of the program at all times and separate their personal lives from their professional responsibilities.
This position is an opportunity for personal and professional growth. Successful leaders enter the program with an open mind and eagerness to learn. The initial three months of the program is dedicated to training and preparation for the main project season (Jun-Oct). Leaders participate in trainings on Wilderness Advanced First Aid, defensive driving, outdoor living skills, chainsaw use and maintenance, team management and professional communication. Seven weeks of the training will be spent in California gaining trail construction and maintenance skills. By the end of training, Leaders will be assigned a partner and a project site for the season. The next six months of service includes member training, implementing sponsor projects and providing oversight. During this period most teams will operate independently from the MAC.
Team Summary: Mt. Adams field teams are composed of four members and two Team Leaders. Teams will be engaged primarily in trail restoration and construction projects but may also participate in additional projects which may include campground maintenance, native habitat restoration and forest fuel reduction. Teams work and travel throughout Washington and Oregon over the course of their term. Below are examples of field teams (all teams are subject to change for the 2011 season):
The Pacific Crest Trail Teams work from Oregon to northern Washington doing trail work exclusively on the PCT. Throughout the season, the team will host volunteers and work with them on the trail. PCT teams travel and camp in front and backcountry sites for most of the term.
The Mt. Hood Team works in the Zig Zag Ranger District of the Mt. Hood National Forest. The team lives in a historic Forest Service cabin and works on a variety of trails in a front-country setting. The team is often accompanied by Forest Service personnel, learning and working alongside recreation professionals.
The Gifford Pinchot (GP) Team works on the Pacific Crest Trail and its feeder trails in the Mt Adams District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The team is based out of Trout Lake when not in the field.
Residential Summary: Teams are either based out of the Mt. Adams Center in Trout Lake, Washington or at other satellite locations. Satellite teams will spend the majority of their term away from the Mt Adams Center, either camping at project sites for weeks at a time or living in housing located near their project site for the entire term. These teams may stay at the Mt Adams Center intermittently during training days or between projects. All team members assist with residential chores such as meal preparation, cleaning and recycling – both at the center and at camping sites.
General Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
1. Provide leadership and direction while serving alongside team members on projects.
2. Serve as a vital communication link between the Mt. Adams Center staff, project sponsors and field team members.
3. Troubleshoot logistical and personnel challenges with the support of the Mt. Adams Center staff.
4. Coordinate project and spike camp logistics with the support of the Mt. Adams Center staff.
5. Organize project related paperwork, including time sheets, project reports and receipts.
6. Encourage and empower team members' personal and professional growth through their service and member development activities.
7. Communicate program policies and procedures to members as needed and assist with program evaluation and development.
8. Facilitate and participate in regular meetings and trainings with team members and Mt. Adams Center staff.
9. Promote a sense of community, collaboration and cohesion among team members.
10. Develop, participate in, and motivate a diverse, hardworking team.
11. Assist in the planning and coordination of Mt. Adams Center events and service days.
12. Analyze projects and train members in appropriate safety practices.
13. Assist with residential chores such as meal preparation, cleaning and recycling – both at the center and at camping sites.
14. Attend and complete all NWSA/AmeriCorps training and service requirements including orientation, trainings, team meetings and national service days.
15. Complete an independent Community Action Project that is identified,, researched, and implemented during the term of service.
16. Complete and submit all necessary NWSA/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.
17. Wear an NWSA uniform and/or appropriate identifiers and required safety gear while performing service or attending official events.
Position Requirements:
1. Must have a valid driver's license, clean driving record and ability to provide documentation. Must meet the minimum requirements for NWSA AmeriCorps Drivers detailed at the end of this position description.
2. Must have the following gear and equipment: all-leather boots with 8” minimum height, sturdy work pants and long-sleeve shirts, sleeping bag, backpacking pack, and tent.
3. Ability to work up to 50 hrs/wk in an irregular schedule. Leaders receive an average of two days off per week, though they don’t always fall on Saturday-Sunday. In addition, Leaders earn six personal days after they have completed the leader training program, which runs February 7th - June 17th. Leaders are eligible to take personal days after June 17th.
4. Capable of handling the physical nature of the projects including hiking up to 15 miles, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, and working on your feet outdoors in rugged terrain and in all types of adverse weather conditions for 8+ hours a day.
5. Capable of safely driving a four-wheel drive vehicle.
6. Ability to work, communicate and interact well with people of various populations in a positive professional manner.
7. Open-minded and eager to learn and teach a wide array of skills and procedures.
8. Participate in all aspects of the residential program, including living at the established site(s), completing household chores and helping create a positive, healthy living environment.
9. 21 years of age or older, at beginning of service term.
10. U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
11. Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent, or commit to earning one prior to receiving an education award.
12. Ability to commit to the full term of service for which they are applying.
13. Selection, placement and retention are contingent upon passing the National Sex Offender Public Register and a national FBI fingerprint check.
14. Regular and reliable attendance.
15. Members are eligible to serve up to four terms of service and receive AmeriCorps Education awards for each term of service up to the value of two full time education awards only. It is the responsibility of the applicant to inform NWSA of any previous service in an AmeriCorps program, regardless of whether or not they completed the previous term(s) of service. NWSA is not liable for providing an Education Award to a member if they are not eligible under the Corporation for National and Community Service AmeriCorps guidelines.
Preferred Qualifications:
1. Demonstrated leadership ability.
2. Evidence of successful experience with similar programs and/or job functions. These may include: working with groups of youth or adults, facilitating programs of outdoor education, recreation, experiential learning, volunteer service or environmental issues.
3. Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of people.
4. Desire to gain outdoor recreation and leadership skills.
5. Highly motivated self starter.
6. Personal/professional experience in backcountry wilderness travel.
Member Benefits Include:
1. A total taxable living allowance (before taxes) of $11,800. Please note: each month a program fee of $476 is deducted from this amount to cover food, training and field trip expense.
2. Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members/leaders receive an education award of $5,350.The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans, for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used.
3. Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
4. Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included).
5. Child care allowance for those who qualify.
6. Housing.
7. Professional development trainings including Wilderness Advanced First Aid, defensive driving, outdoor living skills, chainsaw use and maintenance, and trail construction and maintenance.
Transportation Information:
1. Personal vehicle recommended.
2. Organizational vehicle is available for service activities.
How to apply:
Step 1 - Complete your application Online at the AmeriCorps website www.americorps.gov/Default.asp [3]
-If you do not already have a username and password, you must Create A Profile
https://my.americorps.gov/mp/login.do [4]
-Once you have logged in, create an application by clicking "Applications" under the "My AmeriCorps" menu.
-To apply to this specific position, click "Search Listings" under the "My AmeriCorps" menu and search for program name Northwest Service Academy-MAC
-Select the position listing and click "Apply Now" at the bottom of the page.
Step 2: Submit the additional materials listed at http://mtadamscenter.org/americorps-apply-today.cfm [5].
Questions? Contact Amanda Green at mac@esd112.org [6]
Read full position description at http://mtadamscenter.org/open-positions.cfm [7]
Read more about the Field Team Leader program at http://mtadamscenter.org/field-team-leader.cfm [8]