Montana Conservation Corps

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BIG SKY WATERSHED CORPS

GAIN PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE AND EXPLORE CAREERS IN NATURAL RESOURCES!

 

Who We Are

At MCC, we focus on the growth of our participants; positively impacting our climate, environment, and communities; and building transferable job skills. The Big Sky Watershed Corps (BSWC) Program and its participants are passionate about the land and water and work hard to make sure it’s healthy and available for future generations. BSWC is designed to meet these goals by placing young professionals with partners (known as Host Sites) throughout Montana. Host Sites include federal/state agencies, Tribal Nations, Conservation Districts, nonprofits, and other community-based conservation organizations to create community-based initiatives to protect, preserve and restore local watersheds. At its core, Big Sky Watershed Corps is an AmeriCorps program that assists Montana’s watershed communities to make a measurable difference in local conservation efforts while strengthening the experience of young professionals.

 

The program is an AmeriCorps program and offered through a partnership of Montana Conservation Corps, Montana Watershed Coordination Council and Montana Association of Conservation Districts.

 

The BSWC - AmeriCorps Member Opportunity

The BSWC program is seeking passionate individuals who are looking to gain experience in the natural resources while making a measurable impact in communities throughout Montana. If you are interested in project design and implementation, community outreach and education, organization development, volunteer generation and management: we want to hear from you!

See a StoryMap about the impact of the BSWC program here: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/38c9d47974e84d6d99510c88c164d355

 

 

PROGRAM BENEFITS:

• Biweekly Living Stipend: $1,040 biweekly before taxes
• AmeriCorps Education Award: $6,895 upon successful completion of the program.
• Health Insurance: provided at no cost to you.
• Public Lands Service Corps Hiring Preference: Members serving with federal land management agencies may be eligible to receive hiring preference for future federal job placement
• Member Assistance Program: Free access to mental health counseling, medical advocacy, financial assistance, legal assistance, and life coaching.
• Multiple program trainings in topics such as GIS, community outreach & education, surface water collection and monitoring, irrigation structures, mesic restoration, data management and grant writing/management.
• Opportunities to network with and shadow experts in the natural resource profession.
• Supportive coaching staff invested in your success.
• Community and connection with other program participants.
• Community Spaces: Access to two community spaces, Corps Members of Color and LGBTQIA2+ Corps Members, to build community, connection, and support during the season.

 

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

• Location: Host site placement locations vary across Montana in town size, organization type and size, project work, and more.
• Term Dates: 1/8/2024 - 11/15/2024

 

PRIMARY DUTIES OF THE BSWC MEMBER CAN INCLUDE:

• Assist host site staff in the development and implementation of watershed-related plans and reports.
• Perform watershed-related field collections, monitoring, and restoration.
• Recruit and manage volunteers on field and service projects; ensure participant safety on all projects.
• Develop materials (brochures, posters, PowerPoint slides) to use in community presentations.
• Conduct educational community outreach.
• Coordinate with schools and/or youth groups to develop educational class and/or field projects.
• Support with grant applications and reporting.
• Complete and submit required program reports in a timely manner.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien.
• College degree (B.A./B.S.), preferably in a natural resource related field.
• Valid driver’s license, ability to pass a motor vehicle records check, and ability to provide personal transportation to worksites, housing and trainings.
• Committed to completing full term length: 1/8/2024 - 11/15/2024.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE:

• Previous watershed-related experience, including fieldwork, data collection and analysis, or plan development.
• Previous teaching or volunteer management experience.
• Ability to work with and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Open and adaptable to new environments, different perspectives and rural communities.

 

The BSWC program term dates are January 8th – November 15th. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position interviews will begin the last week of August.

MCC seeks to provide access and opportunity to a diverse group of staff and participants, while continuing to identify and reduce barriers to being involved in our organization and programs. We encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing an application, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to ipprograms@mtcorps.org.

APPLICATON & MORE INFO AT: https://www.mtcorps.org/joinmcc/individual-placement-programs/big-sky-watershed-corps.html

 

While this position description describes the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All Montana Conservation Corps positions may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities.

Program Overview:
MCC’s mission is to inspire young people through hands-on conservation service to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities. In the spirit of this mission, we are committed to offering conservation service experiences to Montana teens. Across both programs, MCC serves roughly 100 teens and 20 AmeriCorps leaders each year. At present, MCC Youth Program includes two programs:

1. High School Expeditions which provide young people with 2-4 week experiences on a crew and

2. Youth Conservation Corps (YCC), a summer employment program offered in partnership with the US Forest Service.

Click here to learn more about our youth programming!

Position Overview:
The Director of Youth Programs is responsible for the program vision and management of state-wide MCC Youth Programs. This encompasses stewardship of project partners, program assessment and design, participant recruitment, and management of field operations. To support these efforts, the Director will supervise the Youth Program Manager and oversee a team of 3-5 seasonal employees. With the Director’s guidance and support, this team trains and advises AmeriCorps members who serve as expedition and YCC leaders. The Director works collaboratively with MCC staff throughout the state and must develop and maintain a good working relationship with Youth Crew Leaders and Members, parents/guardians, project partners, community partners, and other regional and statewide MCC staff. The Director will actively engage relevant stakeholders, community organizations and other youth serving entities in order to develop program partnerships and opportunities that align with MCC’s mission.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Program Management:

• Oversee program vision, development, and implementation including cultivation of new partnerships

• Work collaboratively with the Vice President of Programs to design and deliver of program curriculum and evaluation

• Promote best practices in socio-emotional learning, youth centered leadership, and service learning

• Develop and steward strong partnerships with agencies and community entities

• In partnership with MCC Program Directors across the state, implement an annual project solicitation plan

• Design and implement a five-week Leadership Development Program to onboard Youth Program Leaders

• Cultivate an inclusive environment for all members and staff with particular attention to those under-represented in conservation and national service.

• Possess a thorough knowledge of the MCC Program Framework, MCC Policies, and AmeriCorps requirements.

Field Operations:

• Ensure compliance with MCC policies and safety standards within all youth programs

• Manage the hiring, training, supervision and evaluation process of MCC Youth Program Leaders

• Respond effectively to critical incidents in the field, provide proper debriefing and wrap around support as needed

• Serve as the Risk Management Committee liaison/program advisor to the Youth Program team

• Instill a culture of care; cultivate safety awareness within staff and crews

 

Recruitment and Outreach:

• Plan, coordinate, and implement local (i.e. within the state of Montana) youth outreach and recruitment efforts

• Coordinate with Marketing and Recruitment teams on program materials, resources, and recruitment strategies

• Oversee parent/guardian orientation, outreach, and communication

• Liaise with Member Management team on youth program admissions and all related onboarding tasks

• Work to ensure youth program materials represent the diverse perspectives of the youth we serve and the AmeriCorps members we train

Administrative Support:

• Ensure timely and thorough completion of organizational and AmeriCorps paperwork

• Collaborate with the development team on grant applications, grant reporting, and grant administration

• Responsible for administering youth program admissions process

• Implement systems for effective, professional communication with parents/guardians and project partners

• Provide written documentation of field support and program activities

• Track service project results and provide project partner reports when required

• Participate in emergency on-call schedule (during summer field season)

• Participate in organizational committees as needed, and assist in the continual improvement of youth program systems related to administration

Supervision Exercised:

• Provide direct training and supervision to the Youth Program Manager (FTE), including ongoing professional development, feedback and periodic written evaluation of performance

• Implement fair and appropriate discipline and behavior management for Leaders/Members as needed to maintain high functioning crews and strong morale throughout the state.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience

• Experience leading or teaching high school youth in a public/private school or outdoor program

• Knowledge of youth program risk management practices

• Knowledge of adolescent development and mentoring skills

• Strong interpersonal and administrative skills

• Ability to effectively communicate through written word and orally

• Ability to travel and be on overnight trips for up to a week at a time, often camping in a tent

• Fluency with use of MS Office Suite, Google Apps and ability to manage information in a database

• A valid driver’s license and ability to be insurable per MCC parameters/ Motor Vehicle Records check

• Ability to pass a Criminal History Check

Physical Demands:

• This position may require periodic overnight travel and non-traditional work hours, including occasional weekend and evening hours. (Up to 10% travel)

• The Director may be required to lift up to 40 pounds unassisted and to hike up to 10 miles per day in rugged terrain.

• The ability to independently drive an organizational vehicle is also required.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Work Location:

• This position may work remotely and/or hybrid though in person meetings, trainings, and field visits will be required during the season.

• Applicants must have the ability to regularly report to a Youth Program office in Bozeman and/or Kalispell from early May – late August (i.e. spring training and summer program).

 

APPLY ON OUR WEBSITE @ https://www.mtcorps.org/joinmcc/staff-positions/staff-positions.html

While this position description describes the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position, it is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. All Montana Conservation Corps positions may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities.

 

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MCC is committed to being diverse, welcoming, and inclusive. We are working to reduce barriers to participating in our programs. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. We encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.  Learn more about Identity and Equity @ MCC!