AmeriCorps Project ANT (Americorps Non-native plant Terminator) Member

The Florida Conservation Corps (FLCC) AmeriCorps program is a 25-year-old program administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Florida Park Service with members serving at state parks throughout Florida.

Members serving under FLCC Project A.N.T. (AmeriCorps Nonnative plant Terminators) serve as pairs in approximately 25 state parks, focused on habitat restoration through the management of invasive exotic plants. Members help to reduce invasive exotic plant infestations through various land management techniques but also educate park visitors and surrounding communities through outreach and interpretation, as well as recruit volunteers to support their exotic plant management endeavors. FLCC AmeriCorps members for this position will report daily to onsite park management, and submit service data to FLCC staff based in Gainesville, FL

Members are required to serve 1,700 hours between February 2023 – December 31, 2023. This equates to approximately 35 – 40 hours per week. FLCC AmeriCorps members are not employees, but rather are engaged in a term of National Service. To find out more about AmeriCorps, National Service, and the program you can visit:

Information on AmeriCorps: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/what-americorps

FLCC Webpage: https://www.floridastateparks.org/FLCC

Segal Education Award: https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award

Program Mission

The mission of the Florida Conservation Corps is to develop natural and cultural resource leaders by connecting them to areas of critical need in conservation, preservation, interpretation and resource-based recreation.

Requirements

• Must be able to complete an FBI/FDLE background check (free of charge) before the start date
• Must be able to attend orientation in February and March
• Must commit to full 1,700 hours of service over 12 months
• Must be at least 17 years of age
• 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 conditions of Florida
• Understand that this is not employment, but national service through an AmeriCorps program
• Positive attitude

Training Available

• Interpretation
• Leadership
• Disaster Response
• CPR/First Aid
• Effective Communication
• Resume/Cover letter workshop
• Other training dependent on location and availability

Monetary Benefits

• Loan deferment
• $6,895.00 Segal Education award after the completion of service
• Monthly Living Stipend: $1,550.00
• Free insurance (deductibles still required)
• Access to Employee Assistance Program
• Free access to all 175 state parks

What you can expect from your service

• Natural Resource Skills
• Plant identification
• Chainsaw training and use
• Training and use of large equipment
• Tool maintenance (chainsaws, trail tools, herbicide application tools, hatchets, machetes, hand saw, vehicles, ATV, UTV)
• 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
• Organize and/or participate in strike teams and service projects
• Network and build relationships with natural resource professionals
• Community Outreach
• Flyer and graphic design and development
• Opportunity to recruit volunteers and lead volunteer projects
• Table at community events
• Interact and educate park visitors
• Participate in disaster response recovery efforts