AmeriCorps Land Steward @ The Prairie Enthusiasts

Position Title: AmeriCorps Land Steward

Position Service Site: Based in Viroqua, WI, with travel to The Prairie Enthusiasts  sites throughout Wisconsin, parts of Minnesota, and Illinois

Service Time: March 10 – August 22, 2025 (900-Hour AmeriCorps term, 24 Weeks, 40 Hours/Week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $12,000 ($500 per week), housing potentially available, Education Award of approximately $3,700 upon successful completion of service. To find out more about the Award, click here: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award/find-out-more.  

OVERVIEW: The Prairie Enthusiasts (TPE) is an accredited land trust dedicated to protecting and stewarding over 4,000 acres in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. Their mission focuses on the preservation and recovery of prairie, oak savanna, and other associated ecosystems in the Upper Midwest through protection, management, restoration, and education. These rare and threatened habitats support rich biodiversity, which the AmeriCorps Land Stewards can observe and nurture firsthand.

The Prairie Enthusiasts work with landowners, farmers, and various organizations to conserve these prairie and oak savanna remnants that have existed on the land since before European settlement. Their grassroots volunteers also recreate habitats by establishing and maintaining native plantings. We share our knowledge, labor, and passion for the land.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The pilot team of AmeriCorps Land Stewards at TPE will engage in various hands-on conservation activities and will receive extensive training and support from our experts. Field service will include tasks such as brush clearing, seed collection, and ecological surveying. The AmeriCorps Lands Stewards will travel to different sites to gain experience with the diverse fire-dependent ecosystems that TPE protects.

CREW STRUCTURE & SERVICE SITES: After initial onboarding, the AmeriCorps Land Stewards will spend the majority of their time in the field working on chapter-based projects. The Stewards will form a crew focused on fieldwork projects determined by TPE chapters based on seasonal needs. Each project will have a rotating project lead responsible for overseeing the crew and ensuring successful completion. This allows all Stewards to take on leadership roles throughout the service term.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The AmeriCorps Land Stewards stationed at The Prairie Enthusiasts will work together as a crew, traveling weekly to different TPE chapters to assist site stewards with the management needs of protected sites. Their tasks will include various methods of invasive species management, ecological monitoring, and evaluating property boundaries for any threats to the site's conservation value. Additionally, the AmeriCorps Land Stewards will help promote TPE’s mission by supporting educational outreach events throughout the service area.

TOOLS / EQUIPMENT:

• Chainsaws, brush cutters, herbicide sprayers, shovels, wheelbarrows, and other hand tools will be used after receiving appropriate training and/or certifications.
• There will be occasions when driving a pick-up truck is preferred.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age requirement is 18 years old
• 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
• Able to perform field duties while exposed to adverse conditions such as inclement weather and biting insects
• Ability to use computers and/or tablets to log information in web-based systems
• Availability and willingness to camp for 3-6 days at a time
• Must be able to lift 30 pounds unassisted and heavier loads with assistance
• Ability to work around others and with other employees as a team member
• Have an enthusiasm for the recovery and protection of native ecosystems
• Willingness to use chainsaws, herbicides, and any other tools required for assigned tasks
• Must have the ability to use hands/feet for repetitive single grasping, fine manipulation, pushing and pulling, and operating controls and equipment
• Knowledge of regional habitat restoration principles and practices is preferred
• A valid driver’s license with an insurable driver's record is preferred
• Upon hire, AmeriCorps Land Stewards must consent to a Criminal History Check. Service with the Corps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

BENEFITS:

• Extensive training and skill-building in prairie conservation principles and activities
• Basic First Aid or Wilderness First Aid
• Chainsaw safety certification
• Certified Pesticide Applicator Certification and/or License
• Transportation and lodging at project sites are provided, including a combination of homestays and camping, with supplies provided
• The opportunity to build relationships with individuals and organizations devoted to land protection and stewardship

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.