Restoration Steward - AmeriCorps

Position Title:  Restoration Steward - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 1 Crater Rim Drive Hawaii National Park, HI 96718.

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by January 31^st, 2025

Terms of Service:

• Ideal Start Date: February 24, 2025
• End Date: February 27, 2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours, 52 weeks

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Hawai?i Volcanoes National Park-Restoration Program will host a Restoration Steward.

The Restoration Steward is an AmeriCorps position that will aim to achieve the restoration of native ecosystems through seed collection, plant propagation, and habitat restoration, contributing to the preservation of endangered species and the overall health of Hawai‘i’s unique landscapes. The position is designed to serve local communities, particularly those with cultural ties to the land, by supporting conservation efforts that align with Hawaiian cultural practices and values. The program is guided by principles of sustainability, collaboration, and inclusivity, ensuring that all actions are informed by respect for the land, community engagement, and the long-term preservation of biodiversity.

The member will support the restoration program by engaging in seed collection, propagation, and plant out planting, assisting with vegetation surveys, and helping to maintain nursery operations. This role directly supports Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park’s conservation objectives by contributing to ecological restoration efforts and enhancing the park's capacity to protect native species and habitats.

Description of Duties:

• Conduct surveys to locate target native species, collect seeds, cuttings, or whole plants, and prepare seeds for storage. Propagate plants in the greenhouse and nursery. 
• Propagate, outplant, and monitor native plants under the primary direction of the Restoration Project Supervisor in addition to the Plant Propagation/Restoration Technician and Assistant. 
• Assist in preparing field sites for out-planting, including using pesticides to control plant pathogens and non-native species. 
• Construct nursery and greenhouse infrastructure; assist in vegetation surveys and monitoring plant response to fire and restoration efforts. 
• Travel to field sites (vehicle and hiking), occasionally requiring helicopter access. Hike with a 50lb pack and camp for up to four nights in remote areas. 
• Assist in entering field and nursery data into computer databases and preparing reports on project progress and challenges. 

Qualifications:

• Strenuous physical exertion, including heavy lifting (e.g., large plants, growing media).
• Ability to hike on obscure trails and carry a (50) pound pack and camp for up to (5) nights in remote backcountry. 
• Ability to work in extreme field conditions: sites range from sea level to high elevation including, hot coastal areas, dense wet forests, and exposed mountain shrublands.
• Must be willing to use chemical pesticides and herbicides while following all safety requirements.
• High attention to detail, often in challenging field conditions.
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Up to one (1) year of experience with field and greenhouse work.
• Experience with identification of Hawaiian plants.
• Experience with native plant propagation techniques.

Additional Position and Community Information:

The position is located within Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, which is situated next to the community of Volcano. Volcano is a small, scenic town with limited amenities, including a laundromat, limited housing, a Sunday farmers market, a skate park, restaurants, and some grocery options. The nearest affordable grocery stores and medical services are in Kea?au and Hilo. Travel during work hours will be provided to and from work sites within the park and surrounding areas. However, it is important for the member to have a personal vehicle to access town (Volcano, Kea?au, or Hilo) during off-hours, public transportation is very limited. Affordable housing options are limited and are most likely to be found in the Hilo and Kea?au areas, which are about a 30-50 minute commute from Volcano.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395 (pre-tax)
• Living Allowance of $650.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Additional Benefit of $200.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

How to Apply:

In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by January 31^st.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Service Site Contact information: Kallie Barnes at Kallie_barnes@partner.nps.gov
• Program Contact information: Andre Nguyen at anguyen@conservationlegacy.org  

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. 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. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Additional Details

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Operational Leadership, if available
• Seed Collection, Foundations of Seed Banking, and Nursery Management
• Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Training for Pesticide Handlers
• ARC GIS and Field Maps
• Job Hazard Analysis training

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Salary : $200 - $650