Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) AmeriCorps Full Term Position - Project A.N.T. and Project R.O.A.R.

(Message to position approvers: This is a position is with the national service organization; AmeriCorps - it's not a job, volunteer position (members receive monthly stipend and are under contract for a term of service), or internship position. Handshake does not currently provide a category for this position. There are AmeriCorps programs throughout the U.S. that meet various needs in our communities. Individuals from ALL educational/experience backgrounds and interests are encouraged to apply. Our program provides many opportunities and/or experiences for all ages, ethnicities, genders, varying abilities, etc. Please read the description below for more information or contact the Outreach Assistant; Abby Ledford @ abby.ledford@floridadep.gov for more information. Thank you for your consideration.)

The Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) is an AmeriCorps program managed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). AmeriCorps is a national service organization supporting the enrollment of individuals to provide direct service to communities in need. In the Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) AmeriCorps Program, members are helping to meet three specific needs in the environmental community of our Florida State Parks.

Invasive plant management

Volunteer recruitment

Trail maintenance

Members serve a contracted term of service (11 months) September to July or half term of service (6 months) January to July. During their term members receive a monthly living stipend, free health insurance, professional/personal development, and qualify for the Segal Education Award upon completion of their term, along with other site specific and/or sought out benefits. 

FLCC members serve in various capacities through our two “project areas”; Project A.N.T. (AmeriCorps Non-native plant Terminators) and Project R.O.A.R. (Regional Outreach Awareness Recruiters). 

Project A.N.T. members serve in pairs trios at a designated “host” state park (opportunity to work in other parks as well throughout the term) and focus on habitat restoration by managing invasive plants in some of the most pristine real Florida environments. Members reduce invasive plant infestations through various land management techniques including but not limited to herbicide use/manual removal, prescribed fire techniques, recruiting volunteers & educating park visitors, and conducting outreach at schools and events, etc. 

While in the field managing invasive plants members use the following methods:

Survey and identify infestations

Research and/or discuss proper herbicide type/technique with park/district biologist

Actively treat and record outcome in statewide invasive removal tracking system and through quarterly reports

Coordinate strike team with other A.N.T.s

Retreat as necessary - keep records

These members may recruit volunteers to assist in invasive plant management and work with Project R.O.A.R. to conduct outreach and utilize opportunities to interpret the A.N.T.’s focus in parks, at park events, community events, schools, and other venues as appropriate. 

Project R.O.A.R. members may serve individually or in pairs at the state park district administration office buildings or within a specific state park focusing their efforts on volunteer recruitment, outreach, and interpretation. R.O.A.R. members assist volunteer managers to promote parks’ protected resources, recruit and manage volunteers, and interpret why the park’s resources are so important, in addition they work to promote the FLCC program and AmeriCorps. 

They work weekly with Project A.N.T. members and other R.O.A.R. members in various capacities including outreach events, workdays, strike team projects, trail projects, interpretive material creation, and by promoting Project A.N.T. projects, etc. They spend a large portion of time on the computer using various volunteer management/outreach and graphic design platforms, communicating with community partners, managing/coordinating park/volunteer events, and creating outreach interpretive material. 

Requirements

•      Must be able to complete an FBI/FDLE background check (free of charge) before the start date

•      Must be able to attend 1 week orientation in October (if starting in September)

•      Must commit to full 1,700 hours of service over an 11-month period (Sept - July)

•      Must be at least 17 years of age (with a parent’s note stating you can serve in the program if under 18)

•      Must have obtained at least a high school diploma or equivalent

•      Must have a valid driver’s license

•      Must be able to tolerate extreme and adverse environmental conditions of Florida

•      Must understand that this is not employment, but national service through an AmeriCorps program

•      Must have a positive attitude

Training/Benefits Available

(Some may vary depending on project area and host site location)

   • Leadership opportunities

   • Professional Development

   • Outreach/Interpretation

   • Disaster Response

   • CPR/First Aid/AED

   • Resume/Cover Letter Workshop (Life After AmeriCorps)

   • Interview tips and technique

   • Trail maintenance & tools training

   • Hatchet and machete training/use

   • Herbicide application training

   • Use/maintenance of large equipment

   • Hauling trailers, use, and safety

   • Park/District Specific

             o    S-130/S-190 (Wildfire Training)

             o    ATV/UTV Certification

             o    DEP canoe and kayak safety

             o    Snorkel Certification

             o    Tractor Training

Monetary Benefits

   • Loan deferment

   • Childcare Assistance through AmeriCorps

   • Full Term (Sept - July) Members receive a $7,395.00 Education award at the completion of service

   • Half - Term (Jan - July) Members receive a $3,697.50 Education award at the completion of service

   • Monthly Living Stipend: $2,200.00 for both half-term and full-term members

   • Free health insurance through FLCC Program

   • Access to Member Assistance Program

   • Free access to Florida State Parks

Member Development Opportunities (some may vary depending on member interests/park resources)

   • An AmeriCorps experience in our Florida State Park

   • Natural resource management individual and group projects

   • Plant identification

   • Chainsaw training and use

   • Water sampling

   • Interpretive material creation (presentations, flyers, videos, programs, etc)

   • Network with FISC, CISMA, Forestry, FWC, FTA, ACT, and other natural resource management organizations/groups - attend events to represent FLCC

   • Endangered/protected species monitoring

   • Training and use of large equipment (tractors, marsh masters)

   • Tool maintenance (chainsaws, trail tools, herbicide application tools, hatchets, machetes, hand saws, vehicles, ATV, UTV)

   • Hike over various Florida terrain (no, it's not all flat) and see parts of state parks not seen/open to public

   • Cultural/historical resource rehabilitation

   • Safe use of herbicide application

   • Participate in prescribed fire

   • Create/maintain/improve public trails

   • Professional development 

   • Introduction to federal and state policy and guidelines

   • Experience entering data and retrieving reports for progress tracking

   • Manage and/or participate in strike teams and service projects

   • Network and build relationships with natural resource professionals

   • Community outreach and interpretation

   • Flyer and graphic design and development

   • Opportunity to recruit volunteers and lead volunteer projects

   • Table at community events

   • Participate in disaster response recovery efforts

   • Participate in park events (Florida Folk Festival/Fire Fest, other)