Created in 2009, the SCA Idaho AmeriCorps Program is designed to meet the environmental conservation, natural resource protection, community stewardship, and workforce development needs of Public Lands throughout Idaho.
Members of the Idaho Americorps Roving Crew will have the opportunity to further their passion for the environment and love of the outdoors through hands-on conservation service work. Members will gain outdoor leadership experience and multidisciplinary training in a variety of land management facets, which will include a mix of the following: front country and backcountry trail work, historic preservation, fuels reduction, invasive species management, wildlife habitat restoration and assessments and much more. This program is unique in that all members will complete a variety of projects in partnership with federal and state public land management agencies and will have opportunities to try out many of these resource protection areas.
Training Opportunities
Wilderness First Responder certification, CPR certification, Chainsaw certification, Crosscut Saw certification, Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics Trainer certification, trail maintenance skills, and project specific training.
Responsibilities
- Be an active and participatory corps member – attend all training and service days, and participate in weekly chores around the program base and base camp.
- Take on role of "Hitch Leader" for at multiple hitches, serving as a professional liaison with park managers, handling the logistics of a project, delegating responsibilities, developing emergency response plans, and completing all necessary paperwork.
- Be an active and participatory member of the SCA Idaho Corps, Forest and Parks, and AmeriCorps Community.
- Comply with all SCA and AmeriCorps policies and refrain from any prohibited activities.
- Perform outdoor conservation projects, 85%
- Participate in training opportunities, 15%
- Position is physically demanding and will require some evening and weekend work
- Interaction with the general public both in the field and during free time
- Represent SCA in a positive manner
Compensation
- Members will receive a weekly stipend of $193
- Travel Stipend of $650
- Upon completion of service, members will receive an education award of up to $3,247.50
- Food and Housing will be provided. This is a roving crew, and the crew will travel as a self contained unit with an SCA truck and trailer around the state of Idaho for the season, moving from one project to the next. Housing will be in SCA provided tents, agency partner housing when available, campgrounds, and occasionally at the Salmon-Challis National Forest AmeriCorps Training Center.
- Transportation to and from service activities will be provided in an SCA truck.
Hours
Corps members serve approximately 40-45 hours a week for a period of 5 months. Members must achieve a minimum of 900 hours of service within that 5-month period (21 weeks of service). Service hours are typically performed on a flexible schedule with most hitches going Monday-Friday; however, longer duration service will be necessary for remote or backcountry projects, up to 10 days in a row. The crew is almost always camping out during the work week and during days off. Agency partners occasionally have bunkhouses available, and the crew will stay at the Salmon-Challis National Forest AmeriCorps Training Center from time to time.
Essential Functions and Qualifications
- Must have an ability to serve independently and as part of a team
- Must be able to live and serve in diverse situations and outdoor environments
- Must be willing to try new things and learn new skills
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs and hike 10 miles.
- Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities
- Must have good communication skills
- Must have a high school diploma/GED
- Must be willing to serve some nights and weekends
- Must be willing to camp outside for 10 days at a time
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Previous camping and backpacking experience is helpful but not required. Excellent organizational, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills are required. Working within a team setting for a common goal is critical as well as being able to work independently.
Required Academic and Experience Qualifications
High school diploma/GED. Ability to perform physical work outdoors in remote locations in varying weather conditions independently and as part of a group. Interest in recreation, resource management, historic preservation, and public access issues; must be physically able to walk 10 miles a day over varied terrain and lift up to 50lbs. Position requires frequent exposure to potentially harmful biotic factors including poison ivy, stinging and biting insects and ticks.
Required COVID-19 Vaccination
Required to demonstrate full vaccination status for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) with a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized or FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccine;
Description of Offered Housing
The season will begin at the historic Indianola Ranger Station on the Salmon-Challis National Forest with 4 weeks of training. The living conditions are simple, rustic, and community focused. Along with the 1913 Ranger Station where the main office is located, there are several bunkhouses, a community house, shower house, and several storage buildings on site for tools and equipment. The facility is off-grid with no cell phone service and limited satellite internet connectivity. Members will live in the rustic bunkhouses or in furnished wall-tents. Situated on the Wild and Scenic Salmon River, there are ample opportunities for recreation, and travel to nearby towns for goods is a 45-minute drive.
As a roving crew, this team will travel throughout the state of Idaho working with various State and Federal Agencies on conservation service projects. Individual projects can last anywhere from 1 week at a time, up to 7 weeks in a row before moving on to the next project. The team will travel as a self contained unit with an SCA truck and trailer to each project location, and will spend the majority of the season camping. Agency partners will provide suitable camping locations for a project's duration, and may have available bunkhouse space from time to time. The crew will have the freedom to choose where they will spend their days off.
INTERESTED IN THE SCA IDAHO AMERICORPS PROGRAM?
- Contact Tim Carroll [email protected]. Applicants must be age 18 or older and must have a valid driver’s license and pass a background check.
Position ID: PO-00732178
Expected Dates: May 8, 2022 - October 1, 2022
Location:
1029 Salmon River Road
North Fork, ID 83467
US
Training Provided: Wilderness First Responder/CPR SCA Driver Training SCA Conservation Work Skills Training Crosscut Saw Training GPS Fence Construction LNT Trainer Some members: Chainsaw, Rigging, Habitat Monitoring, MIM surveys.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, Whitewater Capital of the World, Hunting, Fishing, Backpacking, Mountain Biking, Climbing, Kayaking, Tubing,
Other Community Work: Members are encouraged to volunteer in the local communities of Salmon and Challis, Idaho at some point during the season. There will be at least 2 program hosted volunteer service events during the season where members are required to participate.
Professional Development Opportunities: Exceptional resources available in our multiple project partners.
Main Area of Focus: Backcountry/Trail work
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Not needed
An SCA truck is provided for the season. A personal vehicle would provide a benefit and more freedom on days off, but expenses for travel in a personal vehicle from one project to the next will be the responsibility of the vehicle owner.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
The season will begin at the historic Indianola Ranger Station on the Salmon-Challis National Forest with 4 weeks of training. The living conditions are simple, rustic, and community focused. Along with the 1913 Ranger Station where the main office is located, there are several bunkhouses, a community house, shower house, and several storage buildings on site for tools and equipment. The facility is off-grid with no cell phone service and limited satellite internet connectivity. Members will live in the rustic bunkhouses or in furnished wall-tents. Situated on the Wild and Scenic Salmon River, there are ample opportunities for recreation, and travel to nearby towns for goods is a 45-minute drive.
As a roving crew, this team will travel throughout the state of Idaho working with various State and Federal Agencies on conservation service projects. Individual projects can last anywhere from 1 week at a time, up to 7 weeks in a row before moving on to the next project. The team will travel as a self contained unit with an SCA truck and trailer to each project location, and will spend the majority of the season camping. Agency partners will provide suitable camping locations for a project's duration, and may have available bunkhouse space from time to time. The crew will have the freedom to choose where they will spend their days off.
Indoor/Outdoor: Outside
US Citizenship: Yes