The International Crew Member position with EarthCorps is a 6-month service-learning experience for non-U.S. citizens, which takes place in Seattle, Washington, USA. Young environmental leaders from countries outside the United States will join US AmeriCorps Members to develop skills in environmental service, community building and leadership. International Crew Members are sponsored by EarthCorps on a J-1 Trainee visa.

EarthCorps’ International Crew members participate in an intensive 6-month-long training and service opportunity. This is not a classroom or workshop. Crew Members spend 80% of their time in the field, engaged in environmental restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region of Washington State.  Restoration is physically demanding and takes place outdoors in all weather conditions.

About EarthCorps: EarthCorps is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization with a mission of developing leaders to strengthen community and restore the health of our environment.

Duties & Responsibilities

Field service (80% of program)

Crew Members work on a crew of 5-7 young adults performing environmental restoration. A Crew Leader guides the crew as they complete restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings).

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Project Implementation: Crew Members are responsible for the efficiency of accomplishing projects and the quality of the final product under supervision from project staff. Crew Members and staff are responsible for the safety of themselves, their fellow workers, and members of the public who may be involved with projects.

Field Service Projects (percentages are approximate and subject to change):

  • Invasive plant removal (manual)             35%
  • Invasive plant control (herbicide)           10%
  • Native plant installation (planting)         15%
  • Restoration site maintenance                  15%
  • Trail construction/maintenance              15%
  • Volunteer management                             8%
  • Erosion control                                         2%

Multiple camping trips (typically in the summer months, from 3 to 10 days per trip, mostly frontcountry)

Environmental restoration is physically demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. Each year new members consistently underestimate the physical and mental requirements. Service regularly involves

  • Long days of repetitively shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools,
  • Heavy lifting up to 50 lbs. (22.5 kg) and bending,
  • Working, eating, and living in the outdoors in all weather conditions
  • Walking on steep or uneven terrain up to 8 mi. (13 km) while carrying 40 lbs. (18 kg) of weight
  • Working in extremes of heat or cold

TRAINING & WORKSHOPS (20% of program)

Crew Members participate fully in retreats, workshops, and field trainings. These sessions provide skills and context for the restoration work that Crew Members complete. Topics covered include environmental restoration theories and concepts, natural resource management and global environmental issues, basic botany and ecology of the Pacific Northwest, leadership skills, and interpersonal and cross-cultural communication. Outcomes for each theme include:

Habitat Restoration:

  • Understanding of Best Management Practices of ecological restoration
  • Exposure, knowledge and skill in the restoration and conservation field
  • Exposure to PNW restoration industry and local environmental network
  • Modeling of effective pace, quality, and quantity to fit environmental industry standards

Community building:

  • Creating a strong internal community
  • Working in a multi-cultural community
  • Exposure to local PNW community and issues

Leadership:

  • Leading in a diverse, multi-cultural setting
  • Leading a variety of community environmental restoration events
  • Understanding of leadership theory and personal style

Crew Member Education & Training (in workshops and/or in the field) includes:

  • Pacific Northwest Natural History
  • Ecological Restoration Overview
  • Watershed and Vegetation Management
  • Urban Forestry
  • Volunteer Event Management
  • Diversity Training
  • Cross-Cultural Communication
  • Safety: Field Health & Safety, Risk Management, Site Safety
  • Leadership Skills & Practices
  • Performance Evaluations

Required Qualifications

  • Eligibility for J-1 Trainee Visa:
    • University degree in a related field and 1 year of work experience ​
    • OR
    • 5 years of work/volunteer experience in a related field
  • Ability to work hard in all weather conditions,
  • Commitment to cooperation and teamwork with peers from around the world,
  • Conversational English ability,
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds (22.5 kg); Hike up to 8 miles (13 km) while carrying 40 pounds (18kg) of weight for up to 9 hours per day.

Desired Qualifications

  • Experience in outdoor field work or physical labor,
  • Commitment to community service and previous experience in volunteer service,
  • Enthusiasm for environmental conservation, science, recreation or other related field,
  • Capacity to learn and grow in a service training position,
  • Between 18-28 years old

Corps Member Terms of Service

  • STATUS: Exchange Visitor under J-1 Visa training program
  • PERIOD: June 1 – December 10, 2020  (must be able to commit to the full term)
  • RATE OF PAY: Living stipend of $370/month (USD)
  • TYPICAL HOURS OF SERVICE: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday
  • ​some Saturdays required, some Mondays off

Benefits

  • Homestay provided (room and board)
  • Days off permissible as designated by EarthCorps
  • Holidays will be paid as designated by EarthCorps
  • Medical Insurance
  • Bus Pass provided
  • Education & Training
  • Boots, pants, t-shirt, rain gear and safety equipment provided

**Corps Members are responsible for travel to and from Seattle**

Deadlines and Start Dates

Applications are now open on a rolling basis until the hiring for the 2020 cohort is complete. Priority consideration will be given to completed applications received before December 31, 2019.

•Priority Consideration Deadline: December 31, 2019

•Candidate Interviews: beginning January 2020

•Participant Selection: January-February 2020

•Visa Confirmation Deadline: April 15, 2020

•Travel Confirmation: April 30, 2020

•EarthCorps Program Start Date: June 1, 2020

•EarthCorps Program Graduation: December 10, 2020

To Apply

Click the ‘Apply Now’ button below to begin your application.  You will be asked to submit profile information, a personal statement, a current resume/CV, essay answers, and nominator contact information.

For more information,please visit https://www.earthcorps.org/apply/

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