Huron Pines AmeriCorps 2019-2020

POSITION TITLE: Land Steward

PRIMARY SERVICE LOCATION: Midland, Michigan

RESPONSIBLE TO: Elan Lipschitz, Director of Land Conservation

The Little Forks Conservancy was created to care for our community’s wealth of natural resources. We work to protect and preserve natural lands that add to the quality of life in our community. Since 1999, the Conservancy has protected more than 3,800 acres of land by creating publicly-accessible nature preserves and by developing permanent conservation agreements with private landowners.

In partnership with the Huron Pines AmeriCorps program, we are able to offer an exciting position that will serve to improve and protect the health of our region’s land and water. We are seeking an individual to provide support with the Conservancy’s land stewardship program collaborating with landowners and at our nature preserves. We will be looking for someone who is self-motivated, knowledgeable in GPS and GIS, is able to manage multiple tasks, communicate well through public speaking and writing, and has a background in natural resources.

SCOPE AND PURPOSE OF SERVICE: The Land Steward will facilitate projects for The Little Forks

Conservancy. The Land Steward will provide support with management on Conservancy owned preserves including invasive species management and control, habitat restoration, trail construction, preserve maintenance, and natural resource inventory collection. In addition, the Land Steward will monitor conservation easements and collaborate with LFC Director of Land Conservation on conservation projects. The Land Steward will have an active role in our Cedar River Watershed program to protect and improve the region. In addition, this position will coordinate a volunteer stream monitoring program for macroinvertebrates in a local watershed and lead a river clean-up. In addition, the member will look to expand other citizen science initiatives in the Conservancy service area. Serving alongside our Community Programs Manager, the Land Steward will support community conservation efforts including our Conservaton@Home program and partnerships with the Rock Center for Youth Development and other local groups. Service will be conducted in the Conservancy service area. Physical activity will be required in completion of position duties.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Private Lands Program

● Provide Conservancy’s landowners and private landowners with invasive species management and other habitat improvement options for their land.

● Remove invasive species through chemical and physical treatments.

● Monitoring of at least fifteen conservation easements.

● Develop new outreach programs for private landowners

● Collaborate with LFC Director of Land Conservation with conservation projects including

conducting site visits and creation of baseline documents.

Conservancy Lands Program

● Inventory and map invasive species on all Conservancy preserves.

● Promote LFC conservation program to local groups and at community events.

● Trail development and maintenance at Conservancy properties including design and layout,

construction, and installation of signage and trail markers.

● Coordinate installation of boardwalks, as necessary at Conservancy preserves.

● Oversee volunteers to assist in stewardship activities including work days and natural resource

inventory work.

● Successfully complete the pesticide applicator’s certification.

Conservation Services

● Coordinate MiCorps volunteer stream monitoring program for macroinvertebrate collection in the Cedar River watershed.

● Coordinate Cedar River Clean Up in summer 2020.

● Participate in Cedar River Watershed projects associated with the implementation of the Cedar

River Watershed Management Plan including road stream crossing projects.

● Implement programs associated with the Conservancy community conservation efforts including

our Conservation@Home program.

● Collaborate with the Central Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area on

treatment, inventory and outreach.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:

● Prepare and submit 2-week schedules, timesheets and mileage reimbursement forms

● Conduct at least 2 presentations to community groups about Huron Pines AmeriCorps

● Engage at least 30 volunteers in conservation activities

● Submit 4 “Great Stories”

● Provide regular project updates and photos for the website

● Represent yourself as a Huron Pines AmeriCorps member at all times

● Attend required trainings provided by the AmeriCorps Coordinator

● Collaborate with or support other service members’ events

QUALIFICATIONS:

✓ Seeking A Degree

✓ Computer efficiency (typing, email, word processing, excel, Arc GIS)

✓ Ability to pass a background check*

✓ U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien

✓ Commitment to conserving the forests, lakes and streams of Michigan

Preferred Qualifications:

✓ Applicants can be seeking a post-secondary degree or have a Bachelor's degree in natural resources, environmental studies, or a related field. Having a Bachelor’s is preferred

✓ Already has, or is willing to attain a commercial pesticide applicator license

On occasion, service will be required at an off-site location. Use of a personal vehicle may be required to perform duties (mileage will be reimbursed). This is a 40 hour per week position and runs from January 30-November 27, 2020. Benefits include $13,992 living stipend, health insurance, $6,095 education award and student loan deferment.

Applications and directions are available at www.huronpines.org/americorps and will be accepted until December 21, 2019.

Reasonable accommodations: If you need to make a request for a reasonable accommodation, due to a disability, such as obtain materials in a format that works for you or to fully participate in the application process, please contact Sarah Topp, AmeriCorps Coordinator at (989) 448-2293 x30 or sarah@huronpines.org.

*Registered sex offenders are not eligible for AmeriCorps positions.

The program will be recruiting members until September 30, 2019. Interviews will be hosted on November 7, 2019 in Lansing and November 8, 2019 in Gaylord. Please fill out a Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member Online Application (available at https://huronpines.org/americorps/americorps-members/) and also submit your cover letter and resume with the completed application to sarah@huronpines.org. Incomplete applications are not accepted.

Reasonable accommodations: If you need to make a request for a reasonable accommodation, due to a disability, such as obtain materials in a format that works for you or to fully participate in the application process, please contact Sarah Topp, AmeriCorps Coordinator at Huron Pines.