P2 Professional

AmeriCorps Position Description
Position Title: Columbia County Weed Control Coordinator
Project Sponsor: Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District
Project Location: 2514 Sykes Road, St Helens, Oregon 97051
Organization’s Mission: The Columbia County Soil & Water Conservation District continually works to promote health, safety, and general welfare for the people of Columbia County while ensuring the continued use and sustainability of our natural resources.
Position Summary: The Columbia County Weed Control Coordinator will coordinate weed control activities within Columbia County through work with three county watershed councils, spray crews, and the SWCD District Manager to track spray sites, number of control years, and effectives. The position will be responsible for incorporating new sites into the database and coordinating spray activities accordingly. The Control Coordinator will assist with project specific weed control outreach and development including grant research/writing and coordinating education programs, presentations and workshops.

This is an AmeriCorps position with the newly created Professional Placement program (P2), offered through the Northwest Service Academy’s Lower Columbia Center. P2 has been designed to provide opportunities for highly qualified men and women to serve on compelling, environmentally focused projects. A win-win situation is achieved by placing highly qualified professionals in an environment that allows them to transition into this promising field while contributing to the developmental needs of a small non-profit or a transitional program with a larger organization. See www.p2professional.org/blog/ or www.nwserviceacademy.org.
General Responsibilities (to include, but not limited to):
* Conduct site visits and evaluations.
* Conduct landowner contacts.
* Maintain database.
* Use of GIS for map creation/management.
* Use of GPS for data collection.
* Management of spray crew.
* Provide technical assistance to walk-in/phone-in customers.
* Coordination of outreach efforts.
* Complete and submit all necessary NWSA/AmeriCorps paperwork and reports in a timely manner.

Position Requirements:
* Ability to work outside in uneven terrain.
* Ability to work independently.
* Have use of vehicle for daily use.
* Familiarity with GIS.
* Ability to work with landowners.
* Regular access to a reliable vehicle.
* U.S. citizen, national or lawful permanent resident.
* Successfully pass a fingerprint criminal history background check provided through NWSA and/or Project Sponsor Agency.
* Have not previously served two terms in an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members may serve up to three terms in a National Service Program, but only two terms may be within an AmeriCorps*State or National program. Members are only eligible for an education award for their first two terms of service, regardless of the type of term (full or part-time) and regardless of the successful completion of that term.

Preferred Qualifications:
* Knowledge of invasive species.
* Knowledge of herbicides and spray techniques.
* Ability to incorporate GPS data into a GIS format.
* Knowledge of Western Oregon ecology, habitat types and functions.
* Knowledge of Oregon native plant species.

Member Benefits Include:
* A taxable, monthly living allowance (before taxes, approximately $1,250).
* Upon successful completion of a term of service, eligible members/leaders receive an education award of $4,725. The education award can be used to repay qualified student loans, for further education in an accredited institution of higher learning, vocational or trade schools. The education award is taxed in the year that it is used.
* Loan forbearance (after successful completion of a term of service, AmeriCorps will pay the accrued interest on qualified loans, which is taxable).
* Basic medical insurance (covers members only, not dependents; vision and dental not included).
* Child care allowance for those who qualify.
* The Columbia SWCD provides a dynamic work environment, opportunities to see and use GIS in a variety of applications, and a chance to develop experience in public service.

Application Deadline: April 14, 2008 NWSA Center: Lower Columbia Center
Interviews: No set schedule. Open until filled. Type of position: Professional Placement
Service Dates: May 2008 – April 2009 Length of Term: 1,700 hours
How to apply:
Step 1: Submit an interest letter and resume to Scott Gall, District Manager at Columbia SWCD, 2514 Sykes Road, St Helens, OR 97051 or scott.gall@or.nacdnet.net. No phone calls or visits please.
Step 2: Complete your application and send it to Margi Guilfoyle at margi@p2professional.org: (All application materials can be found on the “How to Apply” page of our website)
* Application – Complete the AmeriCorps Application. It may be submitted by mail, fax or email
* Two Written References – Please ask your recommenders to complete the NWSA Reference Form. It may be submitted by mail, fax or email.
* Certification Form – Print, sign and date the Certification Form. This document MUST be submitted by mail to our offices at 55 SE Main, Portland OR 97214.

Questions about the position? Contact: Scott Gall, scott.gall@or.nacdnet.net.
General questions about P2, Northwest Service Academy, or AmeriCorps? Contact:
Margi Guilfoyle
Professional Placement Coordinator
NWSA Lower Columbia Center
55 SE Main Street Portland OR 97214
503-234-2383 ext 118
fax 503-232-0166
margi@p2professional.org
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER