Historic Preservation AmeriCorps Volunteer (Full Season)
May 1
Historic Preservation AmeriCorps Corpsmember (Full Season)
Living Allowance: $850 stipend every two weeks
Stipends: $40/biweekly transportation and one time $75 gear stipend payable upon completion of orientation
Location: Our office is based in Duluth, MN. Members will start and end each project there, but you will travel to sites all across the state in provided vehicles.
Reports to: Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps (NBHPC) Staff
Full term: May 28, 2024 to October 23, 2024 (900 hours)
Education Award: Qualified student loans may be eligible for forbearance during the service term. The AmeriCorps Segal Education Award is granted after successful program completion and a minimum of service hours. The full term award is $3,697.50.
Service Logistics:
You will serve in a 9-day on, 5-day off schedule, serving 9-hour days from 8:00 am -5:30 pm. You must be able to commit to the hitch schedule for the duration of your term of service (with 3 days of built-in time off). While on hitch, you will camp at or near the site, prepare meals as a crew, transport our trailers, and complete the hands-on historic preservation project. Crews are typically 4-6 Corpsmembers, all within the 18-25-year-old age range, with one dedicated Crew Leader. All AmeriCorps members are required to take a daily 30 minute lunch break that does not contribute to service hours.
Position Summary:
You will complete a variety of projects including: historic structure maintenance, cemetery preservation, roofing, masonry, window restoration, log repair, and general carpentry, while camping and exploring the greater Minnesota area. This position requires teamwork, flexibility, working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions, and some physically demanding projects. You will rotate through crew roles, such as safety, documentation and fleet each hitch. You will work closely with Technical Instructors who provide hands-on training, and Project Hosts who set the project priorities. For a complete list of duties, expectations, and prohibited activities please see NBHPC Handbook and Members Service Agreement.
Key Responsibilities
Members must be active participants, demonstrate professionalism, and commit to experiential learning.
I. Active Participation
– Contribute to a culture of safety, including wearing appropriate PPE at all times.
– Start all hitches and service projects on time.
– Preserve historic structures and landscapes as trained; ask for clarification when needed.
– Collaborate as a team to resolve issues at service projects and spike camp.
II. Professionalism
– Bring a positive attitude and strong service ethic to each hitch.
– Show dependability by taking initiative and seeking responsibility.
– Effectively use time management skills to complete project scope, individual tasks, and documentation.
– Communicate effectively with fellow Members, staff, and others – including the public.
– Honor others’ beliefs and emotions by resolving conflicts in a respectful manner and being receptive to feedback.
III. Personal Development
– Learn and improve technical skills, such as tool usage and restoration techniques.
– Learn leadership skills like conflict resolution, effective communication, prioritization and goal setting.
– Perform crew roles thoroughly and attentively.
– Commit to a growth mindset that allows you to make mistakes when learning new skills.
Training:
Members learn hands-on through serving on historic preservation projects with guidance from NBHPC Staff, Technical Instructors, and Project Hosts. Orientation covers member rights and responsibilities, standards of conduct, discipline, prohibited service activities, requirements under the Drug-Free Workplace Act (41 U.S.C. 701 et seq.), suspension and termination from service, grievance procedures, non-discrimination, and civil rights and non-sexual harassment. Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps additionally provides an introduction to the preservation trades, team building, leadership, outdoor ethics, power and hand tool safety and use, OSHA 10, and field first aid. Training will not exceed 20% of the total term hours.
Performance Expectations:
AmeriCorps members are expected to complete the full-service term to receive the Education Award. Absences (sick or vacation) beyond three excused days for the Full Field Season are deemed excessive as they jeopardize proper functioning of crews, as well as a member’s ability to fully complete their service term and, therefore, the privilege to receive an Education Award. Members will make up excessive missed field days. This additional time must be approved in advance by NBHPC staff.
Member performance will be reviewed by the NBHPC Staff at mid-term and end-of-term focusing on whether the member has:
• Satisfactorily completed assignments and tasks as outlined by the Position Responsibilities;
• Completed the required service hours and days in the field;
• Attended orientation and training.
• Demonstrated commitment to learning preservation trade skills and treating all associated with NBHPC (Corspmembers, staff, Project Hosts, Technical Instructors, etc.) with respect
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Desired Qualifications:
● Positive attitude.
● Ability and desire to live and work with others in a team setting.
● Interest in historic preservation, service learning, and community stewardship.
● Effective communication skills.
● Commitment to the full AmeriCorps service term (either full-season or summer-only).
Minimum Requirements:
● 18-25 years of age at the start of the program.
● United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident in the United States and provide documents as proof.
● High School Diploma or working towards GED before using the award.
● Ability to pass criminal history check: no positives on NSOPW (sex offender registry) and
no history of violent offenses as determined by the FBI fingerprint database.
● Verified identity through Government Issued ID and Social Security Number.
● Functional knowledge and use of the English language, both oral and written.
● Flexible schedule that allows the ability to travel and camp for extended periods of time.
● Willingness to follow all crew policies and participate in a safe working environment, including PPE standards.
● Ability to appropriately represent Northern Bedrock and the AmeriCorps Program.
● Ability to perform the essential functions of the job 10 hours per day:
o Manual labor: heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
o Attention to detail and willingness to follow standards for historic preservation
o Repetitive cleaning and restoration of historic structures and objects
o Walking/working on steep or uneven terrain
o Working outdoors, rain or shine, in heat/cold, and dealing with insects and pests
o Working, eating, and camping in the outdoors in all weather conditions
o Working, eating, and camping in the outdoors in all weather conditions
● Access to reliable transportation for reporting to the crew meeting point in Duluth at the beginning of each project.
● Strict agreement to not engage in any Prohibited Activities as defined in the Member Service Agreement during AmeriCorps hours.
*This program is available to all, without regard to disability, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. The Conservation Corps engages AmeriCorps members, ages 18-25, as defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990. Reasonable Accommodations are Provided upon request. The Corps reserves the right to release a member from service if they cannot perform the essential service functions required of this position.
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This posting will expire May 1, 2024.
