Current Job Openings

Crew Program
2027 Crew Leader (April - November)
La Crosse
$550.00 / week
–
Full time
Position Title: Crew Leader (Position Announcement PDF)
Crew Program Information: 2027 Overview
Position Service Site: WisCorps based in La Crosse, Wisconsin; project sites throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest
Service Dates:
The Crew Leader commitment will feature two AmeriCorps service terms in 2027:
• Summer Session: April 27th – August 14th, 2027 (16 weeks) -1200-hour Service Term

• Mid-Season Break: August 15th – September 6th (3 weeks – unpaid)

• Fall Session: September 7th – November 20th, 2027 (11 weeks) – 900-hour Service Term
Benefits:
• Biweekly living stipend paid throughout the season – $550 per week for 27 weeks, $14,850 total

• Education Award earned upon successful completion of service – Approximately $8,800
Housing: Provided in the form of single-occupancy tents at campsites or dormitory-style indoor accommodations (depending on project and time of year).
Food: All meals and snacks are provided throughout the season, within a set budget.
Requirements: Valid driver’s license, ability to pass a background check, and full availability throughout the season.
Position Overview: Crew Leaders guide and motivate Crew Members while completing high-priority conservation and restoration projects across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest as a part of the WisCorps Crew Program. A typical WisCorps crew includes two Crew Leaders and three to four Crew Members who live and serve cooperatively throughout the season, forming a close-knit community focused on service, sustainability, and teamwork. Depending on project needs, crews may relocate weekly or remain at a site for several weeks, living in single-occupancy tents at campsites or in shared dormitory-style housing near project sites. Crew Leaders may be reassigned between crews as needed to support WisCorps or project partner priorities. Crew Leaders are responsible for ensuring crew safety, fostering positive team dynamics, and supporting the professional and personal growth of Crew Members. They co-lead daily project work, train Crew Members in conservation techniques, and model effective communication, problem-solving, and leadership in the field. They communicate regularly with WisCorps staff and partners, operate fleet vehicles and trailers, and oversee logistics and transportation. When not serving on active projects, Crew Leaders are responsible for leading the crew in community engagement and environmental education, promoting sustainability and outdoor stewardship while exploring the communities they serve. This position provides valuable leadership and conservation experience while making a lasting impact on public lands through AmeriCorps service.
Service Description: WisCorps crews serve together to complete projects that make positive and lasting change in natural areas around the Upper Midwest. Conservation projects that WisCorps crews complete may include:
• Habitat restoration through the treatment and removal of invasive species and planting

• Trail building and maintenance in state parks, national parks, conserved land, and other publicly accessible natural areas

• Boardwalk construction and carpentry along National Scenic Trails and in publicly accessible natural areas
Crew Leaders have the opportunity to expand their comfort zone. Crews spend the full season living, serving, and traveling together. Non-project time during the season offers opportunities to explore nearby towns and natural areas, do chores like laundry and grocery shopping, and relax at camp or in provided housing. WisCorps does not allow the use of alcohol, recreational drugs, or tobacco throughout the entire crew season, during the service day, or during non-project time. WisCorps crews live sustainably and follow Leave No Trace principles. Participants are responsible for developing a menu, grocery shopping, and cooking together while considering all possible dietary restrictions.
Crew Leader Training: Crew Leaders participate in a five-week training program provided by WisCorps at the beginning of the season. Crew Leader Training features the following certifications:
• NOLS Wilderness First Aid & CPR Certification

• SAWW Level 2 Chainsaw Safety Certification

• Certified Pesticide Applicator Certification in Wisconsin

• Leave No Trace (LNT) Instructor Level 1 Certification
Responsibilities:
• Co-lead and motivate a conservation corps crew made up of 2 Crew Leaders and 3 or 4 Crew Members

• Serve up to 15 hours per day for 4 to 10 consecutive days in outdoor locations. WisCorps crew are expected to provide 40 hours per week of direct project field service time, plus another 40 hours of indirect, non-project service time.

• Oversee safety and well-being of the crew during the service day – Provide technical, logistical, and leadership support to crews while training Crew Members in field skills such as situational awareness, tool use, and partner-approved project methods to ensure safety and quality work

• Oversee safety and well-being during non-project time – Instruct Crew Members in all aspects of camp life, including Leave No Trace principles, group kitchen setup and use, hygiene practices, and waste management

• Complete service projects and camp in a variety of weather conditions and temperatures

• Operate and maintain chainsaws, brush saws, carpentry and power tools, herbicide applicators, backpack sprayers, mowers, and hand tools to accomplish conservation projects

• Document the WisCorps Crew Program by photographing crews in the field and sharing images and updates with WisCorps staff

• Communicate regularly with project partners to confirm project goals, expectations, and successful completion of deliverables

• Foster clear, respectful, and consistent communication with Crew Members, WisCorps staff, project partners, and the public

• Operate a ½ to ¾-ton truck and 6×12’ enclosed trailer

• Hike extended distances on various terrain with a 25+ pound backpack

• Manage day-to-day crew tasks, including cooking, camp cleanliness, crew schedule and time management, errands, chores, and vehicle and trailer cleanliness

• Use basic budgetary and financial guidelines to manage food shopping expenses

• Communicate with Crew Members, WisCorps staff, and members of the public

• Practice Leave No Trace principles and sustainable living techniques

• Create 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 off times
Qualifications:
• At least 18 years of age(ages 18-30; 35 for veterans)

• A citizen of the United States, a United States national, or a legal permanent resident of the United States

• Possess a valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (if under the age of 21, at least 3 years of driving history)

• Able to perform field duties while exposed to adverse conditions such as inclement weather and biting insects

• Willingness and ability to use herbicide, chainsaws, and any other tools required to complete assigned tasks

• Leadership experience as conservation corps Crew Leader, summer camp counselor, trip leader, mentor, resident assistant, or other related experience

• Participants must provide personal items such as all-leather boots, sleeping bags, backpacks, water containers, and raingear; WisCorps has a small library of outdoor gear that may be borrowed for a season (supplies are limited and are not guaranteed to be available upon arrival)

• Must be able to commit to the full 27-week field season

• Passionate about environmental causes and creating community through environmental service

• Understanding or willingness to learn various conservation practices or land management techniques

• Upon hire, all WisCorps Crew Leaders must consent to a Criminal History Check; service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed


Application Overview (LINK)
Please complete our application to be considered for a Crew Program position with WisCorps. This form cannot save and resume your work. Allow 20 minutes to complete this application. Do not hesitate to reach out to WisCorps staff at any point in this process if you have any questions!
Here is an overview of our hiring process:
Step 1 - We will contact applicants by email within two weeks to invite them to a small-group informational Zoom call about the Crew Program. This call will last approximately 60 minutes and feature multiple applicants attending a presentation given by a WisCorps staff member. Applicants should expect to introduce themselves to the group and come prepared with questions about the program.
Step 2 - After the informational call, all applicants must complete our Crew Questionnaire, which includes reference information.
Step 3 - Top leader applicants will be invited to a virtual 1-on-1 call and interview about the position. This call will be hosted by WisCorps staff and will last approximately 60 minutes.
Step 4 - Once 2 or more positive references have been submitted, leader applicants will be eligible to receive a position offer from WisCorps staff.

 
If you have any questions or prefer a paper-formatted application, please contact kevin.rossi@wiscorps.org
 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.
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Wisconsin Conservation Corps
Public Outreach & Recreation Assistant - Ottawa National Forest
$500.00 / week
–
Full time
Application Deadline: 11/07/2026
Position Title: Public Outreach & Recreation Assistant (Position Announcement PDF)
Position Service Site: Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center, Watersmeet, MI 
Service Time: January 11, 2027 – August 28, 2027 (1,200-hr AmeriCorps Term, 33 weeks, 40 hours per week)
Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $16,500 ($500 per week). An AmeriCorps Education Award of approximately $5,176 will be awarded upon successful service completion. $175 WisCorps boot reimbursement benefit.
Onsite shared housing is available at no cost. Members should be prepared to live communally with other people.
OVERVIEW: At just over one million acres, the Ottawa National Forest is located in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan, extending from the south shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border.  The area is known for its remote character, picturesque lakes and streams, vast northern hardwood forests, and abundant wildlife. The Ottawa National Forest offers numerous recreational opportunities including high-quality stream and lake fishing, deer and small-game hunting, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, birding, cross-country and downhill skiing, and more. The Ottawa National Forest contains numerous glacial lakes, which are home to bald eagles, ospreys, loons, smallmouth and largemouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and other native fish and wildlife species. Three designated Wilderness Areas lie within this area– Sylvania, McCormick, and the Sturgeon River Gorge, each offering its own unique features.
SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The Assistant will perform a variety of services in the field and office to support Ottawa National Forest’s recreation programs. They will conduct surveys as part of National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM), a Forest Service program designed to estimate how many people recreate on national forests and grasslands, what activities they engage in while there and how satisfied people were with their visit. They will also assist with staffing the Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center and Sylvania Wilderness Entrance Station, providing visitor information, educating visitors on Leave No Trace principles, and instructing users about rules and regulations. They will help respond to inquiries about recreation facilities, user permits, points of interest, and related activities and may participate in and develop interpretive programs for community outreach purposes. The Public Outreach and Recreation Assistant may be required to wear a uniform and comply with USFS uniform standards.  The work schedule may vary seasonally and could require early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays as necessary to fulfill position responsibilities.
The Assistant will periodically rotate into the Recreation and Wilderness Crews as needed, performing maintenance tasks at developed and dispersed recreation sites in a small crew setting. Required field overnights may occur periodically. Associated duties include maintaining and restoring sites that visitors use for recreational purposes to prevent resource damage and minimize impact on the land. These tasks involve operation of hand tools, mowers, chainsaws, weed whips, and various power tools. The team also maintains facilities to reduce sanitation impacts in the forest. The Assistant may assist with field and survey data collection and input utilizing a tablet or GPS unit.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Follow survey and site setup protocol and conduct on the ground NVUM interviews/surveys with forest visitors at designated developed and dispersed recreation sites across the forest on an assigned schedule.

• Conduct Ottawa National Forest Visitor Center and Sylvania Wilderness Entrance Station operations as needed.

• Assist visitors by providing them with information about specific recreation opportunities and activities.

• Inform visitors of the rules and regulations applicable to the various areas within the Ottawa National Forest.

• Conduct site monitoring visits for compliance with Recreation and Wilderness Area rules and regulations, including those involving campfires, sanitation, and use of camping sites. Report any observed violations.

• Use initiative to carry out recurring assignments independently. Detailed instructions are provided for new assignments. Unfamiliar situations or deviations from established practices are referred to a supervisor.

• Periodically join the Recreation Crew to perform day-to-day maintenance, monitoring, clean-up, issues reporting, and simple construction projects for recreation sites. Day-to-day maintenance includes mowing, trimming, tree clearing, and debris pick-up, cleaning and maintaining fire rings, campsites, bathrooms, beaches, and other facilities, and assisting the public with questions related to camping and recreation.

• Monitor the condition and use of trails, portages, Wilderness campsites, and other wilderness areas, perform any maintenance needed to US Forest Service standards, and report any issues found.

• Complete backcountry maintenance of hiking trails, campsites, and portages using crosscut saws, axes, etc.

• The WisCorps member may on rare occasions take part in overnight trips to maintain backcountry wilderness sites involving complex portage and campsite projects where the main mode of travel is by canoe and on foot.
HOUSING:
• Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with 0-5 other Forest Service affiliated staff.

• Members must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations.

• Housing accommodation includes a private, lockable dorm room with a twin mattress and limited closet space.

• Shared living spaces include a large living and dining room, laundry, full-service kitchen, and two full bathrooms.

• There is no internet or tv service provided in the shared house, and no pets are allowed.

• The bunkhouse is located within 30 miles of Iron River, MI, and Eagle River, WI, which offer several amenities.
TRAININGS OFFERED:
• National Visitor Use Monitoring trainings

• Cross Cut Saw and ATV/UTV certifications

• First Aid/CPR training

• Defensive Driving training

• Radio/SPOT device and Avenza mapping software trainings
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Minimum age requirement is 18 years old

• A citizen of the United States, a United States national, or a legal permanent resident of the United States

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

• Excellent communication skills

• Understanding of or willingness to learn various conservation practices

• Passion for outdoor recreation

• Must possess a valid driver’s license, and a reliable personal vehicle is recommended

• Ability to perform position duties in a service environment which regularly requires the service member to be outdoors in wooded areas, on uneven natural paths, on open water, and in the presence of biting insects

• Physically able to serve long days and navigate outside in seasonal inclement weather, hiking on and off trail

• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds of equipment with carrying, lifting, stooping, and bending

• Ability to serve in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and high humidity

• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation

• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions

• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. 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 by phone at 608-782-2494, by email at staff@wiscorps.org, or dial Wisconsin Relay 711.
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