Veterans Natural Resources Crew Member

Spend your spring working and camping outside in some of Nevada’s premier natural areas as a member on our Veterans Natural Resources Crew with the Nevada Conservation Corps (NCC). Serve alongside fellow AmeriCorps volunteers while making a lasting contribution to Nevada’s natural heritage. Gain valuable field experience while working on various conservation projects with the Bureau of Land Management and other local public land agencies in the Southern Nevada. The NCC strives to contribute real and meaningful improvements to Nevada’s public lands by focusing on on-the-ground implementation of conservation projects. As a member you will be in the field, swinging tools, planting plants, and getting your hands dirty every day of service. The NCC is looking for members that understand the value of hard work and are ready to get in the field and get things done.

The Veterans Natural Resources Crew will work on various projects that may include recreational trail construction and maintenance, exotic species removal, habitat restoration, illegal road decommissioning and more this season at several conservation areas around Southern Nevada. The teams schedule will fluctuate between 4 and 8-day tours. While on tour, you will camp at the project site, sharing in campsite responsibilities, cooking meals with fellow team members, and participating in group discussions and learning activities around the campfire. This shared responsibility and team bonding is an important part of NCC member development strategy, and has contributed not only to the success of the program, but also to the formation of friendships and a passion for conservation work that last long after members finish their service.

• Camping up to seven nights in wilderness setting without formal restroom facilities or running water;

• 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;

• 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;

• Participating in in-field education sessions;

• Percentage of time spent on: labor– 70%, traveling– 20%, hiking– 10%;

• Lifting 25lbs continuously and 50lbs occasionally.

Location: Las Vegas, NV

Crew members will be assigned to serve from the Las Vegas Field Station, 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. Camping locations are provided during the work week. We will not provide housing nor sign leases, but we can help 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.

•Living Allowance: $4,738* (approximately $1080 every two weeks before taxes)

*This amount is for Veterans only. Non-veterans will receive a lower rate.

•Education Award: $1,289.95

•Per Diem: $7.25/day spent in the field; This is in addition to your Living Allowance and on average is $58.00 biweekly.

•Housing Stipend: max $200 total; this is in addition to your Living Allowance and on average is $50.00 biweekly.

•Insurance: Limited Health, Dental and Vision Insurance will be completely paid for at no cost to you by the Great Basin Institute and available starting your first day of service.

•Loan Forbearance and Interest Accrual Repayment

•Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility

•Educational Affiliation Agreements (College Credit)

Optional Training & Education we will provide include:

• Defensive Driving Certification

• Off-Road Driving Class

• Resume Building Workshop

• Interview Skills Workshop

• Native Plant Identification

• Invasive Plant Identification

• GPS Unit Training

• Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

•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

•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 chec