2022 Summer of Service Corpsmember (Denver)

Summer of Service (SOS) is a team-based, 12 or 14 week-long program. SOS participants (called Corpsmembers) serve on environmental stewardship projects on public lands throughout the Denver Metro area. Corpsmembers will be enrolled in AmeriCorps—a national community service program. No experience is required! We will provide you with hands-on training related to all projects.
 

Compensation and Benefits: 

• Biweekly Stipend - Earn a living stipend of $960 before taxes paid every 2 weeks.
• Leadership Opportunities available: Corpsmember Drivers are eligible for a living stipend of $980. Returning Corpsmembers earn $1000. Corpsmembers in Assistant Crew Leader roles earn $1040. More information available on request. 
• AmeriCorps Education Award - Earn a scholarship of $1,678.57 upon successful completion of the term (450 hours of service). This award can be used to pay tuition, pay back qualifying student loans or go on an expedition through a wilderness school! Corpsmembers have 7 years to use the award. 
• Student Loan Forbearance - Corpsmembers can apply to put their qualified federal student loans on hold during their term through the National Service Trust. 
• Health Insurance - Corpsmembers are eligible for health insurance the 1st of the month after serving at MHYC for 60 days. Corpsmember contribution required. 
• Counseling - Corpsmembers receive up to 4 free mental health counseling sessions per year. 
• Networking - Corpsmembers have opportunities to network with federal, state and local natural resources professionals and access to a vast alumni network! 
• Training – Depending on crew assignments, Corpsmembers will receive training in one or more stewardship skillsets, including S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws (required for sawyers), trail building and maintenance, and pesticide application.

Timeline:
This is a temporary position from May 9–August 12, 2022 or May 23-August 12, 2022. 

• 450 hours of service in a 12 or 14 week commitment. 
• Some positions require overnight camping (known as hitches). 
• 40 hour weeks: Monday-Thursday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. or 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
• Schedule will vary due to holidays and monthly Friday programming. Exact schedule will be provided first week of service. Corpsmembers are required to serve: Friday, June 3 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. due to holiday observed on Memorial Day (May 30). Friday, July 8 from 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. due to holiday observed on Independence Day (July 4). Friday, June 17, July 15 and August 12 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. for in house programming, including career readiness training, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training, and Community Meetings.

MHYC is committed to hiring candidates with unique backgrounds and perspectives. If you are interested in this position but are concerned that you do not meet all of the requirements or possess all of the necessary skills, or that prior convictions or your background might disqualify you, we highly encourage you to submit an application anyway.

Qualifications:

• Between the ages of 18-24. 
• High school or GED/HSE graduate or still enrolled. 
• Must be eligible for enrollment in AmeriCorps as a US Citizen, National or Lawful Permanent Resident. Documentation will be required on the first day. Must bring identification documents necessary to complete the I-9 and other forms on your first day. 
• Must be physically fit, able to lift 50 lbs., spend 8-10 hours a day in all weather conditions (e.g., sun, heat, wind, rain, etc.) and hike 7 miles with a day-pack. 
• Able to be on time and maintain consistent attendance throughout term of service. Must commit to complete the program.

Requirements: 

• Pre-service National Service Criminal History Check and drug screen required; this position does not have recurring access to vulnerable populations. 
• Corpsmembers must not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement. 
• MHYC has a COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Individuals must submit proof of full vaccination, partial vaccination, or submit their COVID-19 vaccination medical or religious exemption request by their first day. If only partial vaccination is submitted, proof of the second shot needs to meet the recommended time interval of the vaccine administered. Please reach out to MHYC staff for exemption forms or more information. 
• This position reports to Program Coordinator: Land Conservation. 
• Service location: 1801 Federal Blvd. Denver, CO 80204.

Corpsmembers have the choice to serve on a variety of crews. MHYC staff will work with you to find the best match! We strive for each and every crew to be diverse, inclusive and safe for all Corpsmembers.

Sawyer Crew: Corpsmembers operate chainsaws on invasive tree removal and wildland fire mitigation projects. They receive First Aid/CPR and S-212 Wildland Fire Chainsaws certifications. Some sawyers will have the opportunity to receive pesticide application training. The use of pesticide is common on invasive tree removal projects.

Hand Crew: Corpsmembers receive training in safe and efficient use of hand tools to complete a wide variety of projects. Examples include: trail maintenance and construction, noxious weed removal, fence construction and demolition, ecological restoration, and other park development projects.

Pesticide Application Crew: Corpsmembers will be trained on how to safely handle and apply pesticides for invasive species removal projects, the role of pesticides in natural resources management, and how to operate a variety of hand pump and backpack sprayers. Corpsmembers will also be trained on identifying native and invasive plant species.

Corpsmembers also have the option to serve on one of our Affinity Crews. These crews operate as Land Conservation crews and complete sawyer, hand or pesticide application projects! Affinity Crews are made up of individuals with one or many common identities and are intended to be a space for Corpsmembers to serve alongside individuals with similar lived experiences, share stories, discuss challenges, and explore the field of natural resource management.

Gender Spectrum Affinity Crew: This crew is for people of underrepresented gender identities, including transgender and gender non-conforming individuals and cis women, to learn new skills and reduce historical barriers that have prevented natural resource management from being an inclusive field.
Black, Indigenous and People of Color Affinity Crew: This crew is for Corpsmembers who identify as BIack, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian or are a part of a multi-cultural or multi-racial community and want to serve alongside others with similar lived experiences while reducing historical barriers that have prevented natural resource management from being an inclusive field.

Sheridan Crew: Corpsmembers serve on a hand crew primarily in the City of Sheridan and surrounding communities. Sheridan projects are funded through Great Outdoors Colorado’s Generation Wild - an investment in places, programs and pathways that get kids and their families outside. Residents of Sheridan and surrounding communities are encouraged to apply.

Mile High Youth Corps is committed to diversity in principle and practice, both in the community at large and within the organization. We are, therefore, committed to having our internal operations and employment practices administered on a non-discriminating basis inclusive of, but not limited to, race, religion, color, socio-economic status, gender, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, marital status, or national origin. Every effort shall be made to grant reasonable accommodation for qualified people with disabilities to participate in this AmeriCorps program.

How to apply:

• Visit our website at www.milehighyouthcorps.org and click “Apply Now”.
• Questions? Email youthjobs@mhyc.net or call 303-521-4398.