Field Coordinator

About WisCorps:
Our mission is to engage the next generation of environmental leaders through guided, hands-on service opportunities that benefit our region’s public lands. Our primary focus is to engage young adults through hands-on service opportunities in environmental stewardship, accomplished through partnerships with land management agencies and environmental education organizations across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest.

WisCorps is a division of Central Conservation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit conservation agency that empowers environmental organizations working to care for our Earth.

Position Overview:
Field Coordinator positions are full-time seasonal based out of the La Crosse, WI WisCorps office. They travel to projects sites in Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest and are responsible for supervising AmeriCorps Crew Leaders as well as administrative, logistical and personnel support of 2-3 traveling field crews. WisCorps expects to run as many as six simultaneous AmeriCorps crews during the 2024 field season (May – November). Field Coordinators are responsible for project preparation, implementation and reporting. This position will ensure WisCorps crews are fully prepared and equipped with the appropriate project supplies/tools, transportation and equipment prior to departing for their projects. This position will work directly with each Crew Leader to ensure crew safety, high quality work, positive crew community, strong work ethic, and personal development of all participants, among other responsibilities.

Field Coordinators must be comfortable with physical labor and long days (including some nights and weekends) in outdoor & unpredictable conditions. Field Coordinators should expect extensive travel and overnights throughout the course of the field season.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Be a leader within the organization and community for equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Continually create and support a culture of equity and inclusion within the Crew Program
• Seek to remove barriers to participation and create a safe and welcoming environment for crew members and staff from communities traditionally marginalized in the conservation movement, including, but not limited to, BIPOC, AAPI, LGBTQIA+, Hispanic/Latinx, and individuals with disabilities
• Lead with an anti-racist mindset and continually evaluate WisCorps policies and procedures to identify and refine or remove those that do not support equity, diversity, and inclusion

Management & Supervisory Duties

• Supervise 2-3 field crews, which includes being on call during non-work hours to respond to crew emergencies or incidents
• Perform weekly site visits and evaluations of project sites, Crew Leaders, and Crew Members
• Maintain regular communication with field crews, including nights and weekends throughout the field season
• Be on call during non-work hours to respond to crew emergencies or incidents throughout the field season
• Facilitate any corrective action for Crew Leaders and Crew Members and keep appropriate records
• Assist with Crew Member candidate interviews
• Conduct Crew Leader & Crew Member evaluations

Programmatic Duties

• Ensure that the Crew Program provides both a positive experience for participants and high-quality work for project partners
• Actively observe, seek, and evaluate feedback from crew members, crew leaders, staff, and project partners and use gathered data to improve the program continually
• Attend all WisCorps staff, committee, and program meetings as requested
• Ensure projects comply with AmeriCorps regulations

Training Duties

• Assist with planning, implementing, and evaluating Crew Leader and Crew Member trainings
• Be able to identify the different learning styles of staff, crew leaders, and crew members and effectively adapt training as needed
• Outline skills and leadership development goals for Crew Leaders
• Identify inefficiencies and challenges within the Crew Program

Risk Management & Safety Duties

• Create a culture where risk management practices are written, trained, followed, evaluated, and refined
• Maintain appropriate certifications for self and staff (e.g., pesticide applicator, chainsaw, First Aid/CPR)
• Maintain a work environment that is both physically and emotionally safe
• Assist with warehouse systems, processes, and inventories
• Remain drug, tobacco, and alcohol-free while on duty or while in uniform

Projects and Logistics Duties

• Lead the development of project itineraries and pre-project site visits and assist with communication before, during, and after the project
• Provide technical and logistical support for trail maintenance/construction, conservation, natural resource, and special initiative projects
• Visit crews in the field to provide guidance, support, and assistance to crew leaders as well as ensure that project accomplishments meet project partner expectations
• Respond to in-field issues and emergencies; provide emotional and behavioral support to participants
• Serve as stand-in Crew Lead during instances when the crew required additional on-project support

Data Collection Duties

• Ensure Members and Project Partners complete timesheets, incident reports, evaluations, accomplishments/performance measures, feedback forms, and others as necessary
• Ensure Project Sponsors complete end-of-project evaluation

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of two years of experience in leading or supervising a group or team, as well as managing outdoor projects, is required. Preferred qualifications include relevant experience in youth leadership, outdoor recreation, environmental education, and/or natural resource management. Experience with manual labor projects, using hand tools, operating chainsaws, and driving fleet vehicles and trailers is also desirable.
• Experience and working knowledge of environmental restoration project management, and implementation. Types of projects include but are not limited to trail building, carpentry, habitat restoration, including manual and herbicide & pesticide invasive species control, and general resource management.
• Must be capable of working long hours on strenuous, labor-intensive projects. Training and work projects often require heavy lifting, constant bending, digging, and long hikes to and from the worksite. This position will primarily work outside in all weather conditions and environments, including but not limited to remote areas, cold, rain, snow, heat, humidity, wind, etc. The noise level in the atmosphere is quiet to loud. PPE is provided, and use is required.
• Demonstrated ability and desire to create and nurture a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Able to communicate efficiently and effectively regarding crew dynamics and project implementation
• Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record
• Current WFA and CPR certificate (or higher) or ability to attain WFA and CPR within 30 days of starting employment
• Ability to pass WisCorps and AmeriCorps criminal history check requirements
• Experience with Microsoft Office Software, including Outlook, Excel, and Word
• Experience with AmeriCorps programing is preferred
• Believes in the WisCorps’ mission and willing to adhere to policies and procedures

All job offers are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background check.

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and need to access information in an alternative format or need it translated to another language, please get in touch with us by phone at 608-782-2494, by email at [email protected], or by Wisconsin Relay 711.