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Summer Roving Crew Member (Short Season)

Position Service Site: WisCorps, based in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and project sites throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

Service Dates:
• June 6th through August 11th, 2023
o 450 Hour AmeriCorps Service Term
o 50 hours of service per week: 40 hours spent on service projects, 10 hours spent on crew and camp management

Benefits:
• Biweekly living stipend paid throughout season
o $3,000 total for 10 weeks, $300 per week
• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award earned upon successful completion of service
o $1,824.07 for 450 Hour Service

Housing: Provided

Requirements: Ability to pass a background check and full availability throughout the season.

Position Overview: Roving Crew Members complete high priority restoration projects across Wisconsin and the upper Midwest. Projects may include habitat restoration, invasive plant removal and treatment, trail building and restoration, carpentry projects, and other land and grounds management duties for project partners. Roving Crew Members live and serve with their two Crew Leaders and two fellow Crew Members throughout the season. Roving Crew Members can expect to live in single occupancy tents at campsites and campgrounds near their project sites. Project sites are at various locations throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. When not actively serving with project partners, Crew Members are responsible for promoting community service and environmental awareness through community engagement and volunteerism in the outdoors.

Service Description: WisCorps crews serve together to complete projects that make positive and lasting change in natural areas around the upper Midwest. Potential conservation projects that WisCorps crews complete include:
• Habitat restoration through the treatment and removal of invasive species
• Trail building and trail design in state parks, national parks, conserved land, and other publicly accessible natural areas
• Boardwalk construction and installation along National Scenic Trails and in public parks
• Painting, hiking, hauling, digging, lifting, carrying, sawing, drilling, communicating, and many other conservation related actions
Roving Crew participants have an opportunity to expand their comfort zone and discover new facets of themselves. Roving Crews spend the full duration of their season living, serving, and traveling together. Service on projects takes place Monday through Friday with weekends off. Weekends are an opportunity to explore nearby towns and natural areas, take care of chores like laundry and grocery shopping, and relax by a campfire or while reading a book. WisCorps does not allow the use of alcohol, recreational drugs, or tobacco throughout the entire crew season, during the service day or during off time. WisCorps crews live sustainably and follow Leave No Trace principles. Roving Crew participants are responsible for developing a menu, grocery shopping, and cooking together, while taking into account all possible dietary restrictions.

Crew Member Training: Crew Members participate in a one-week training program provided by WisCorps staff at the beginning of the season. WisCorps Crew Member Training features the following trainings and more:
• Brush Saw Use and Maintenance Training
• Trail Building Training
• AmeriCorps Orientation
• AmeriCorps Conflict Resolution Training
• Tent and Campsite Set Up Training
• Field Work and Tools Orientation
• Group Food Shopping and Cooking Orientation

Responsibilities:
• Serve up to 10 hours per day for 4-10 consecutive days on a crew comprised of 4-7 other service members in outdoor locations; 40 hours per week of direct project field service time is expected regularly
• Serve and live in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures
• Operate and maintain brush saws, herbicide applicators, backpack sprayers, and hand tools to accomplish environmental restoration project tasks as assigned
• Hike extended distances on various terrain with a 25+ pound backpack
• Effectively communicate with fellow Crew Members, Crew Leaders, WisCorps staff, project sponsors, and members of the public
• Practice Leave No Trace principles and sustainable living techniques
• Be an active and reliable part of a functional and positive crew community
• Abide by all WisCorps & AmeriCorps policies and procedures
• Alcohol, recreational drug, and tobacco use is strictly prohibited throughout the season, during project work, evenings, and weekends

Qualifications:
• Able to perform field duties while exposed to adverse conditions such as inclement weather and biting insects
• Willingness and ability to use hand tools required to complete assigned tasks
• Participants must provide their own personal items such as all-leather boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, water containers, and rain gear; WisCorps has a small library of outdoor gear that may be borrowed for a season (supplies limited)
• Must be able to commit to the full 12-week session including the crew member training days leading up to the project season
• Passionate about environmental causes and creating community surrounding environmental service
• Understanding or willingness to learn various conservation practices or land management techniques
• Proficient communication skills
• Upon hire, all WisCorps Crew Members must consent to a Criminal History Check; service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed


WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, by email at staff@wiscorps.org or Wisconsin Relay 711.