Apply at: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/Careers.aspx? rf=ECOLOG&REQ=2017-NCC-003
Spend a season or more working and camping outside at some of Nevada’s premier natural areas. Serve alongside volunteers from across the country while making a lasting contribution to Nevada’s natural heritage. Gain valuable field experience while working on habitat improvement, restoration, and recreation projects with the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Nevada Division of Forestry, and many other federal and state agencies. Projects may include trail construction and maintenance, hazardous fuels reduction, and habitat restoration. Your experience begins with two months as a crew member on a 5-person crew. During your tenure as a crew member you will receive leadership development training, spend extended periods of time camping in the field with fellow crew leader candidates, and take turns acting as the lead on service projects that are meant to prepare you for the challenges of leading a crew. Promotion to Crew Leader is not guaranteed & depends on performance review. Upon successful completion of the leadership development training you may be assigned a summer project (based out of Reno, NV; Las Vegas, NV; or Great Basin National Park) and will take on the responsibility of leading a crew. You will lead four AmeriCorps Crew Members while building trail or running chainsaws in some of Nevada’s most beautiful locales. You will coordinate with agency partners and collaborate with peers to see that project goals are accomplished safely and efficiently. Based on your specific project you will be camped in the field with your crew on either 4-day or 8-day “tours” often in primitive and remote locations and will be responsible for managing and facilitating a healthy and cohesive community within your crew. Different than any other professional experience you could imagine, being a crew leader with the NCC is a full-time, intensive commitment where you will always be a resource to the members serving with you both while on service project sites or back at camp after a long day. Both preparing for and leading a crew requires unwavering dedication, and a willingness to put the needs of others first. Successful applicants will demonstrate dependability, excellent judgment, and high standards. We are looking for individuals who will lead by example and be a role model for the members who join our program. Though this position is challenging, the rewards are abundant and the bonds forged with your crew, peers and with the outdoors will last a lifetime. Process Review of applications will take place as they are received. Priority will be given to applications received by February 27. Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an initial phone interview. Contract Timeline: March 20, 2017 – May 18, 2017. Location: Crew members will be assigned to serve from the Las Vegas Field Station for the initial 2 months of Leadership Development training and will serve and camp in the field on 4-day tours, 8-day tours, or a mixture of the two. Schedules will be dictated by project site and distance from the field station. Upon completion of the Leadership Development training program, you may be assigned a summer project based out of one of our three regional locations in Reno, NV; Las Vegas, NV; or Great Basin National Park. The project location(s) will depend on which regional office you are assigned to for the remaining three months of service. Camping locations are provided during the work week. We will not provide housing, nor sign leases, but we can assist with identifying housing options. Compensation and Benefits: This is an AmeriCorps position; candidates will receive a living stipend dependent on their length of service. The living stipend is a fixed amount, not an hourly wage or a salary. The stipend is paid to members in bi-weekly installments throughout their term of service. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service members shall receive an additional education award also dependent on the length of service that can be used for paying off student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college. Two Month Contract, 300 hour service term: $2,346.37 living stipend (approximately $550 every two weeks) + $1,230.69 education award Members are also compensated by gaining valuable field work experience, professional development, practical trainings and certifications. All Leadership Development Program (LDP) members receive: Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR Certification, USFS Chainsaw and Crosscut Certification, Intermediate Trail Construction Training, BLM UTV Operator Certification, Off-road 4x4 Training, Nevada Pesticide Applicators License, and Leave No Trace (LNT) Trainer Certification. Additional Training includes: Leadership Development Program members placed on Trail Crews will be further trained in Advanced Trail Construction and Maintenance practices. Leadership Development Program members placed on Forestry Crews will receive Advanced USFS Chainsaw and Crosscut Certification equivalent to a B-Sawyer. Job Qualifications: Essential Duties as Crew Leader Candidate (Feb-May): Percentage of time spent on: labor– 70%, traveling– 20%, hiking– 10%; Maintaining a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service; Communicating effectively with crew members, crew leaders, NCC staff and agency project staff; Complying with both production and quality work standards established by NCC administration, crew supervisors, and project partners; Camping up to seven nights in wilderness setting without formal restroom facilities or running water; Contributing to basic duties at the campsite including cooking, cleaning and organizing crew equipment; Showing respect when interacting with other members, leaders, staff, project sponsors and community members; and Participating in in-field education sessions. Essential Duties as Crew Leader (May-August): Exemplify strong work ethic, professionalism, and sound judgment; Lead young adults on a variety of challenging conservation projects; Understand and abide by all NCC policies and procedures; ensure all safety protocols followed; Maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times; be able to boost crew morale; Effectively communicate with NCC staff, partnering agencies, peers, and crew members; Coordinate project logistics with agency partners, Crew Coordinator, and peers; Work alongside members to complete project goals; Provide clear and consistent feedback to crew members; Teach, instruct and support members in trail building, chainsaw use, and other project/NCC specific tasks; Engage members in an active crew life; Facilitate weekly crew meetings and debriefs; Transport crew and equipment safely in NCC trucks; Manage and maintain crew gear, tools and other various NCC/agency equipment; Complete weekly reporting of accomplishments; Uphold NCC and AmeriCorps standards of work production and quality; and Support and manage crew meal planning. Required Qualifications: Must maintain a positive and professional attitude at all times while providing service; Be able to communicate effectively with members, crew leaders, NCC staff, and project partners; Possess the willingness and ability to work and camp up to seven nights in a row, in a wilderness setting, in all weather conditions, without formal restroom facilities or running water; Be able to lift 25lbs continuously and 50lbs occasionally; Be at least 17 years of age; Be a US citizen; Clean driving record (must qualify to drive GBI Vehicles); Current driver’s license; Must possess a high school diploma or GED; Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limit of four in a lifetime or the equivalent of two full-time education awards).* *All position offers are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Desired Qualifications: A willingness and desire to lead; Experience working with a Conservation or Youth Corps; Camping/backpacking experience; Experience constructing recreational trails; Chainsaw operating experience; Previous leadership experience with youth or young adults; Strong critical thinking skills. Creative; Superior emotional intelligence; Possessing the confidence and ability to make decisions quickly and under pressure; Receptive to feedback from superiors, peers, and subordinates; Ability to communicate dynamic challenges and cast a vision for success; to influence a team to take action, to accomplish tasks, and to overcome adversities; Ability to relate to crew members; Ability to establish and maintain a positive workplace culture and camplife experience; and Ability to conceive organization operations above your position, and to offer innovative suggestions for their continual improvement.
