Washington Conservation Corps now recruiting in Skagit County!

Mount Vernon WA

Description

Want to gain hands-on environmental skills, improve habitat for fish and wildlife, and build your résumé? Washington Conservation Corps is now recruiting quarter-term AmeriCorps members on our field crews located statewide, including positions in Skagit County! Serving on a WCC crew means spending your days outdoors, in all types of weather, accomplishing projects that restore and enhance critical landscapes across Washington. Members serve on a crew of five, along with an experienced supervisor who provides training, mentorship, and development opportunities. From backcountry trail crews to urban restoration crews - we have an opportunity for you! During these unprecedented times, our priority remains the safety of our AmeriCorps members and Crew Supervisors. We have adapted our field safety measures to protect the health of our AmeriCorps members and the communities in which they serve. Through these safety measures, members will still get the opportunity to serve outdoors building backcountry and urban trails, planting native trees and shrubs along rivers and streams, removing invasive species, and more! Safety measures for field activities will include continued physical distancing, wearing a mask as needed, washing hands with soap regularly, and meeting respiratory protection requirements for travel in a crew truck*. *this may include N-95, KN-95 and/or P-100 respirators, all of which require removal of facial hair for adequate fit Positions in your area: • CREW-SEDRO-WOOLLEY/SKAGIT DNR: Projects focus on constructing and maintaining trails on sites including Blanchard Mountain, Cypress Island, and the Walker Valley ORV Park. Members may have the opportunity to contribute to restoration efforts on San Juan Islands! Project variety results in a great learning experience. The schedule may vary between four and eight day travel assignments (known as "spikes"), in which members must be willing to be away from home, in travel status, during this time. Otherwise, the crew meets Monday through Thursday at the DNR office in Sedro Woolley. • CREW-SEDRO-WOOLLEY/DNR & MULTIPLE SPONSORS: This crew will serve a variety of sponsors throughout Northwest Washington and the San Juan Islands. Projects could include recreation facility maintenance, trail building, erosion control, debris removal, and stewardship of natural areas through forest health, habitat restoration, and invasive species control. Sponsors could include the San Juan Land Bank, the San Juan Preservation Trust, the Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, and US Forest Service. This crew will travel and stay overnight for projects (known as going on "spike"); projects will be either four days (Monday – Thursday) or eight days (Thursday – Thursday) with six days off preceding. Food and lodging is provided while on spike. • CREW-MOUNT VERNON/SKAGIT SPIKE: This crew will travel and stay overnight for projects (known as going on "spike"); projects will be either four days (Monday – Thursday) or eight days (Thursday – Thursday) with six days off preceding. Food and lodging is provided while on spike. Spike crews collaborate with state and national parks, and sometimes city parks complete recreational projects on public lands. Oak release, stream restoration, weed management, and fence construction are the main spring and summer activities for this crew. Sponsors include the San Juan Land Bank, the San Juan Preservation Trust, the Department of Natural Resources, the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group, Washington State Parks, the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, and US Forest Service. • CREW-MOUNT VERNON/SKAGIT FISHERIES ENHANCEMENT GROUP: This crew serves Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group in Mount Vernon. The vast majority of projects take place in the Skagit River watershed, which boasts all five native Pacific salmon runs! Projects with SFEG involve native riparian planting, site maintenance, fence building, restoration projects and invasive weed control. In the summer season, we focus on SFEG's knotweed program on the Upper Sauk and Upper Skagit River. We complete surveying and treatment on foot and via whitewater raft. Other seasonal opportunities include maintaining the native plant nursery, monitoring vegetation, completing salmon spawner surveys, supporting salmon in the classroom events and volunteer work parties and much more! Other sponsors may include the San Juan Preservation Trust, San Juan County Land Bank, Seattle City Light and the Skagit Land Trust. Requirements: Must be 18-25 years old, with exceptions for those with military service or with mental or sensory disabilities. Strong preference is given to Washington state residents. Benefits: Members earn a semi-monthly living allowance of $1,100 and receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,638.89 (scholarship) upon successful completion of 3-month contract (and 450 hours). Educational loan forbearance is available. Basic healthcare offered by WCC. AmeriCorps Eligibility: US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent US Resident Alien Apply Online: For more information on crew locations, review our web map: