Position Title: Vegetation Steward - AmeriCorps (2 positions)

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, 1 Crater Rim Drive, Bldg 322, Hawai'i National Park, HI 96718

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by 7/7/2025

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 08/25/2025 (flexible)
• End Date: 08/21/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hour, 52 weeks

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and , develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park will host 2 Vegetation Stewards.

The Vegetation Steward is an AmeriCorps position that will provide assistance in invasive plant control, facilitating the preservation of native ecosystems at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and the surrounding community. The native ecosystems accessible at HAVO provide important cultural, recreational, and watershed benefits to surrounding communities, and preserving the integrity of these native ecosystems directly benefits park visitors from the local community, across America and around the world.

One of over 400 National Park Service sites across the country, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) protects a dynamic landscape of volcanoes and endangered species, as well as biocultural and geologic resources found nowhere else on earth. For decades, the park Natural Resources Management Program has led research and innovation in terrestrial resource protection in Hawai'i. The vegetation program works on a wide variety of invasive species projects, including invasive plant control and removal, as well as emerging threats like Rapid 'Ohi'a Death, Little Fire Ants, and biosecurity.

We set expectations of hard work and professionalism, and the rewards are great for getting to help restore some of the most biodiverse native ecosystems in Hawai'i. We are here to support the participants in developing as professionals and building knowledge and experiences needed to succeed in a career in conservation.

Description of Duties:

• The participants will be trained to perform a wide variety of invasive plant work and other conservation-related activities
• Conduct invasive plant control work using herbicides, hand tools, and chainsaws as part of a crew under the guidance of a crew lead. Identify native and non-native plants of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. Typical field work involves long days of driving and off-trail hiking through thick brush and over uneven, rocky lava, sometimes up steep slopes (80%)
• Conduct inspections for invasive species of loads, materials, and vehicles entering the park (10%)
• Assist with surveys for invasive fungal pathogens and invasive insects (5%)
• Other duties as assigned (5%)

Qualifications:

• A desire to learn about natural resources stewardship at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park and work hard on physically challenging invasive species control projects
• Strong work ethic and a positive, problem-solving attitude
• Must be able to carry 50 lbs up to 10 miles, work outdoors in hot, cold, wet, muddy, and uneven terrain
• Have a valid driver's license
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Some basic experience with natural resources fieldwork, hunting, hiking and/or physical outdoor work would be helpful so that the applicant understands the physical and mental demands that fieldwork can require

Additional Position and Community Information

• The park is adjacent to the small rural community of Volcano, which has a post office, restaurants, convenience stores, and a community center. Volcano is located at 3,000 ft elevation and typical weather is cool and rainy, 40-80 degrees F. Most amenities (groceries, hospital, medical offices) are located in the town of Hilo, a 45-minute drive away near the coast
• Offices and baseyard are located at 3,000' elevation within the park. Field environments range from hot and humid at the coast to temperate and sunny on the slopes of Mauna Loa to cold and wet at the summit of Kilauea
• No housing is provided for this position. An additional stipend is provided for housing
• A reliable personal vehicle for transportation is essential for commuting. The local bus does stop in the park but schedules are not necessarily aligned with the field work schedule

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 (pre-tax)
• Living Allowance of $650.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Additional Benefit of $200.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
• Childcare Coverage (opt in)
• Student Loan Forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

How to Apply
Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions. In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Preference given to applicants who submit applications by 7/7/2025. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will close when filled.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Service Site Contact Information: Dwayne Montoya-Aiona (dwayne_aiona@nps.gov)
• Program Contact Information: Andre Nguyen (anguyen@conservationlegacy.org)

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Additional Details

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

• Must be able to carry 50 lbs up to 10 miles, work outdoors in hot, cold, wet, muddy, and uneven terrain, and have a valid driver's license

Time Requirements:

• Typical field schedule is 6AM - 4:30PM, M-Th. Occasional camp trips (1x month or less) would be M-Th
• This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary
• Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities
• A100 Basic Aviation Safety
• CPR/First Aid
• Operational Leadership
• NPS National Chainsaw Safety Program Sawyer training
• Other trainings as available

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.