Florida Conservation Corps Member - Alafia River State Park

The Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) is an AmeriCorps program managed by the Department of Environmental Protection. 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.
1. Invasive plant management
2. Volunteer recruitment
3. Trail maintenance

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

Project A.N.T. members serve in pairs (or more) 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, recruiting volunteers & educating park visitors, and conducting outreach at schools and events, etc.
 

A.N.T. members use the following methods to manage invasive plants in their host park:
1. Survey and identify non-native invasive plant infestations
2. Research, discuss, & prepare a plan for proper herbicide type/techniques with park/district biologist
3. Actively treat non-native invasive plants (coordinate strike team with other A.N.T.s)
4. Keep records/analyze data of treated/to be treated areas
5. Retreat as necessary following the herbicide label

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 March
• Must commit to full 1,700 hours of service over the 11-month period (Feb - Dec)
• Must be 17 years of age with a parent’s note stating they can serve in the program
• Must have obtained at least a high school diploma, equivalent, or be actively working toward one.
• 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 and be flexible

MONETARY BENEFITS
• Loan deferment
• Childcare Assistance through AmeriCorps
• Full Term (Feb - Dec) Members receive a $7,395.00 Education award at the completion of service
• Monthly Living Stipend: $2,200.00 for full-term members
• Free health insurance through FLCC Program
• Access to Member Assistance Program
• Free access to Florida State Parks

TRAINING/BENEFITS AVAILABLE (SOME VARY DEPENDING ON LOCATION/RESOURCES)
• Interpretation
• Leadership
• Professional Development
• Conflict Resolution
• Outreach/Interpretation
• Disaster Response (AmeriCorps Disaster Response Team)
• CPR/First Aid/AED
• Effective Communication
• 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
• S-130/S-190 (Wildfire Training)
• ATV/UTV Certification
• DEP Boater safety
• Scuba Certification
• Tractor Training

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND EXPERIENCE (VARIES WITH LOCATION/RESOURCES)
• An AmeriCorps experience in our Florida State Parks
• Natural resource management individual and group projects
• Trail Restoration Enhancement Certification (T.R.E.C.)
• 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
• 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)