Job Description

Position:  American Sign Language Crew Leader & Interpreter (AmeriCorps, ages 19 - 35)

Location:  This is a residential program; food and lodging will be provided during the service term. Based at Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center in Finland, MN; travel throughout region to complete projects.

Service Term:  675-hour AmeriCorps position; 5/28 – 5/31 online training and 6/3 – 8/14 residential

Position Summary:  Summer Youth Corps American Sign Language (ASL) Crew Leader & Interpreters will add value to the community, environment and youth participants through their dedicated service. The Crew Leader & Interpreter will motivate and supervise an ASL crew of Deaf, Hard-of-hearing, and hearing young people in a rigorous program focused on job skills training, environmental education, and conservation projects. The Crew Leader will be responsible for behavior management and fostering positive crew morale by through consistent teamwork. The member must ensure that they and the crew adhere to program goals and mission. The member will work alongside youth to set the standard and pace of work. While serving alongside another AmeriCorps member, the Crew Leader & Interpreter will provide collaborative leadership for the crew, ensure safety procedures are followed, and communicate with project partners. Projects may include but are not limited to:

• Introduced species management
• Trail construction & maintenance
• Stream bank stabilization, erosion control
• Rain garden construction
• Tree planting
• Basic carpentry
• Plant or animal surveying
• Emergency response

Hours & Schedule
Schedules can vary, depending on crew location. Crew members should expect to be scheduled for at least 40 hours of service per week. A typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM,  including a mandatory 30 minute lunch break which does not count towards service hours and an additional hour of facilitating education activities for youth in the evening.  Crews typically camp near their project sites for a week, then do crew chores including laundry, grocery shopping, phone calls home, and travel to a new project location on Sundays.

Special Benefits

• Living Allowance: $2,400/month
• Housing & Food Provided
• Education Award: $2,817.14, if eligible and upon successful completion of program
• Student loan forbearance (on qualifying student loans)
• Health insurance
• Childcare assistance
• Training, certifications, networking

Requirements

• Completion of or ongoing study in a certified ASL interpreter associate or bachelor program;
  OR, possess fluent ASL
• Possess excellent ASL and knowledge of Deaf culture
• Ability and desire to work well with others in a team setting, outdoors, and in all weather conditions
• Ability to foster strong work habits, environmental ethics, youth leadership, and team unity with youth from diverse backgrounds who may be experiencing a job and/or camping for the first time
• Commitment to upholding Corps values of safety, service, respect, equity, and community
• Dedication to complete the full term of AmeriCorps service
• Ability to perform the Essential Service Functions, which include but are not limited to:

• • Long (7-8 hour) days of shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools repetitively
  • Heavy lifting, bending, and carrying up to 50 pounds
  • Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
  • Working in extremes of heat or cold
  • Eating and camping outdoors in all weather conditions

• Given the residential nature of our program, crew leaders must be willing to work long hours, continuing to supervise youth after the project day has ended, with limited time off. Must be willing to live in tents and in a variety of locations throughout the summer.
• Must be a US Citizen, US National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the US
• Must pass a criminal history check consisting of a National Sex Offender Public Website check, a state criminal history check, and a fingerprint-based FBI check. Passing the criminal history check is defined as no positive hits on the NSOPW and no history of violent offenses on the state or FBI checks.
• High school degree, GED, or willingness to work towards obtaining a GED
• Valid driver’s license and safe driving record (no major moving violations or DUI’s in the past five years) as crew leaders drive 12 passenger vans to transport crew

Why work here

• Safety – We will be safe in conducting our work and provide an environment where all feel welcome to be part of our community.
• Service – Our history is rooted in a long-standing commitment to the value of service, fostering a work ethic, economic opportunity, honor, and purpose for those who serve and the generations we touch.
• Respect – We respect earth, others, and ourselves. We value the interconnectedness of people and the land.
• Equity – We provide equitable access to the opportunities and benefits gained from service learning and professional development.
• Community – Together we create a sense of community and belonging. We share common values and respect the communities we have the privilege to serve.

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