Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) AmeriCorps Member Job at State of Washington Dept. of Ecology
Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen
The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program is recruiting Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) AmeriCorps Member positions. The WCC consists of three subprograms: the original Corps Program, Veteran Conservation Corps, and Puget Sound Corps.
If you are looking for an exciting opportunity to work outdoors across Washington State, this position is for you! Our AmeriCorps Members serve on a crew of six (five corps members and one crew supervisor) or independently with partner organizations. WCC AmeriCorps Members gain hands-on environmental skills serving with over 90 partnering organizations across Washington State. They also have the opportunity to develop their skills through a variety of certifications that WCC offers to both supervisors and members (e.g. Hazwoper, Pesticide Applicator, and Wilderness First Responder).
If you are interested in developing hands-on skills in the natural resource field while serving communities across Washington State, we encourage you to apply for this position.
The positions will remain open until filled. The priority deadline for winter enrollment is December 19, 2022. Applications received after this date will be considered on a space available basis.
As an agency, our mission is to protect, preserve and enhance Washington's environment for current and future generations. We invest in our employees and AmeriCorps Members to create and sustain an environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism and accountability. Maybe you've seen some of our recent stories on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or our blog.
HOW TO APPLY:
View more information about each position on our web map or click here to apply online: WCC Application.
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.ecology.wa.gov.
Local efforts... Diverse people... Statewide impacts
The Shorelands and Environmental Assistance (SEA) program helps communities manage shorelands and wetlands. Our primary focus is on state and local responsibilities for administering Washington state and federally-delegated laws. Our mission is to work in partnership with communities to support healthy watersheds and promote statewide environmental interests.
The SEA program's Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) section is looking to fill AmeriCorps Member positions located across the State of Washington.
Please note: These positions work with Ecology employees but are not Ecology employees. They are AmeriCorps Members serving in an Ecology-sponsored program.
These are 9-month AmeriCorps positions with a duration of January 17, 2023 - September 7, 2023. Generally, the schedule will be Monday-Thursday 7 AM-5:30 PM but may change based on project requirements.
This posting will be used to fill vacancies in the following counties: Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Grant, King, Kittitas, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, and Yakima counties.
The positions will serve with a crew of WCC AmeriCorps Members to complete natural resource assignments.
As an AmeriCorps Member, you may serve on the following projects:
- Habitat Enhancement: environmental restoration, wetland mitigation, in-stream salmon recovery work, etc.
- Recreational Enhancement: Campground upgrades and maintenance, front and back country trail construction and maintenance, boardwalk installation, etc.
- Combination: Many WCC AmeriCorps members serve on both project types, depending on the season.
As a leading AmeriCorps program with a nationally recognized disaster response program, WCC’s AmeriCorps Members may serve on deployments to local and national disasters.
Duties typically include:
- Using hand tools, such as shovels, hoes, rakes, hammers and axes.
- Serving on steep inclines for long periods of time.
- Walking several miles per day over rough terrain.
- Lifting 60 pounds repetitively for long periods of time.
- Operating small power tools, such as chain saws, weed-eaters, drills, augers, and more.
Working Conditions - this position may require:
- Travelling overnight to accomplish assignments.
- Serving in excess of 40 hours per week.
- Serving in inclement weather.
- Travelling over rough terrain and wilderness areas.
- Lifting 60 pounds repetitively for extended periods of time.
- Serving four (4) or eight (8) consecutive days in travel status.
- Deploying to natural disaster areas in an emergency response capacity for up to 30 consecutive days.
Required Qualifications:
Must be 18 – 25 years old, with exceptions for those with military service or mental or sensory disabilities.- AmeriCorps Eligibility: U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent U.S. Resident Alien.
Desired Qualifications:
- Preference is given to Washington State residents per WCC’s legislation.
Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment:
- Prior to enrollment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude enrollment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- Successful applicants will be required to certify their vaccination record or submit a request for a medical or religious exemption for the 2022 – 2023 service term.
For more information about the Washington Conservation Corps, please visit the following: AmeriCorps member positions - Washington State Department of Ecology and Chapter 43.220 RCW: WASHINGTON CONSERVATION CORPS.
Per Governor Inslee’s Directive 22-13.1, state employees must be fully vaccinated effective November 4, 2022. Providing proof of being fully vaccinated is a condition of employment and your vaccine status will be verified prior to starting work. Being fully vaccinated means two weeks after you have received the second dose in a two-dose series of a COVID-19 vaccine or a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine authorized for emergency use, licensed or otherwise authorized or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or listed for emergency use or otherwise approved by the World Health Organization. If you have questions, please contact Careers@ecy.wa.gov with “ COVID-19 vaccination” in the subject line.
Why join Ecology’s Washington Conservation Corps (WCC)?
Joining Ecology’s Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) means becoming a part of a team committed to protecting and restoring Washington State's environment.
A term of service in WCC allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state. In addition to a semi-monthly living allowance, we provide the following benefits:
- Health Insurance - All WCC members are offered a basic health insurance policy.
- Member Assistance Program - All members are offered free, accessible, and high-quality mental health services.
- Childcare and Food Assistance - Assistance is available to those who qualify through DSHS and / or the AmeriCorps Childcare Program.
- GED Reimbursement - GED exam fee reimbursement is available for those who successfully pass the exam during their WCC term.
What will I earn?
Living allowance: Our members earn a living allowance of $1,253 twice a month ($2,506 per month) plus education award described below.
Educational benefits:
- The AmeriCorps Education Award (scholarship) is available to members upon completion of service term. For the 2022-2023 program year, our available terms and scholarship amounts are:
- Full-term positions (11 months / 1,700 hours): $6,495
- Three-quarter-term positions (nine months / 1,200 hours): $4,546.50
- Quarter-term positions (three months / 450 hours): $1,718.25
- Forbearance is available on qualifying student loans. AmeriCorps will pay interest that accrues while serving in the WCC for eligible loans. Interest accrual is paid upon successful term completion. Forbearance is typically limited to government-backed student loans. Contact your lender to learn if your loan qualifies for National Service forbearance.
Student debt and how serving with Ecology can help
Members may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. See https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service for more details.
HOW TO APPLY:
Other Information:
If you need assistance applying for this job, please call our team at (360) 407-7248 or e-mail wccactivities@ecy.wa.gov.
The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application/testing process or this job announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 407-7248. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
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