Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow
Massachusetts Land Initiative for Tomorrow (MassLIFT) is a new AmeriCorps program designed to meet Massachusetts’ needs for land protection. This program is a collaboration of seven regional land trusts: Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Franklin Land Trust, Greater Worcester Land Trust, Kestrel Trust, Nashua River Watershed Association, Sudbury Valley Trustees, and The Wildlands Trust, plus additional conservation partners. AmeriCorps members serving in this program will strengthen the efforts of Massachusetts communities and their MassLIFT partners to protect open space for farms, working forests, trails, wetlands, parks, community gardens, and other lands of conservation and local importance.
MassLIFT will fill 20 full-time AmeriCorps positions for the service term—October 6, 2010 through August 31, 2011. 2010 participants will serve in one of a dozen locations across the state. Pending continuation of the AmeriCorps grant, members may serve for two years. There are four service positions, each with a different set of responsibilities and goals:• Land Stewards create baseline reports and monitor protected land to ensure that conservation values of the land and water are maintained;
• Outreach Coordinators work to involve the community in conservation and to strengthen ties to the land;
• Regional Conservationists initiate and implement new conservation projects and train town volunteers to do the same; and
• Service Learning Coordinators expand education and volunteer programs to bring young people into greater contact with the outdoors to learn about and assist with conservation, farming and forestry.
Qualifications for these positions vary, but in all cases include familiarity with Microsoft Office programs, strong written and verbal communications skills, and a passion for working with all kinds of people, on broad ranging projects that promote land conservation.
MassLIFT AmeriCorps members commit to 1,700 hours of service during the 11-month term. Each member will earn a stipend of up to $11,800, and will receive a $5,350 education award upon completion of the program. Members will receive health care insurance, and qualify for childcare assistance upon request. Housing is not provided.
MassLIFT will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and service upon request.
Applications are being accepted and positions filled on a rolling basis through September 17, 2010.
You can also contact our MassLIFT Program Manager, Dee Robbins at 978-833-4192 or robbins@mountgrace.org.
AmeriCorps Positions with MassLIFT
Position: Land Steward
Service Position: The main purpose of this position is to help land trusts and local governments fulfill their stewardship responsibilities for protected lands. MassLIFT Land Stewards will: (1) document property boundaries, vegetation, wildlife, soils, wetlands, streams and ponds, and other features, to develop a “baseline report” on protected lands; (2) conduct annual monitoring on protected lands to document changes, identify problems and maintain landowner contact; (3) train community volunteers to monitor protected lands; and (4) inform land trust staff, property managers, and landowners about land management needs and concerns. A supervisor will provide the AmeriCorps land steward with the training and guidance necessary to achieve the program objectives. Land stewards spent about 60% of their time in the office and 40% in the field.
Required Qualifications:• BA/BS/AS Technical or Vocational degree in natural resources, forestry, land use planning or other scientific related field. Experience may be substituted for education.
• Knowledge and direct experience with ArcGIS 9.2 mapping software
• Ability to navigate independently in the field utilizing map, compass, and GPS units
• Ability to read and interpret various maps such as surveys, aerial photos, and USGS topos
• Experience working with natural systems and identifying plant and wildlife species
• Comfortable working independently in both an office and field setting
• Able to walk 3–4 miles a day over uneven terrain in a range of weather conditions
• Comfortable utilizing computer programs such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint) and have the ability to quickly learn new programs
Desired Qualifications:
• Knowledge of forest management and Massachusetts forestry laws
• Ability to write detailed technical reports
• Experience giving presentations and/or trainings to a diverse audience
MassLIFT Partners hosting AmeriCorps Land Stewards:
Franklin Land Trust, Shelburne Falls, MA
Greater Worcester Land Trust, Worcester, MA
Kestrel Land Trust, Amherst, MA
Shared w/Valley Land Fund, Hadley, MA
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Athol, MA
Nashua River Watershed Association, Groton, MA
Sudbury Valley Trustees, Sudbury, MA
Wildlands Trust, Duxbury, MA
Position: Service Learning Coordinator
Service Position: The Service Learning Coordinator works to foster an ethic of community service and civic engagement among young people, and to increase the connections that children and young adults feel to the land. The coordinator designs projects that allow young people to learn about working lands while contributing to the protection and stewardship of farms, forests, wildlife habitats, watershed areas, community gardens, and parks. The coordinator develops service learning opportunities for hands-on conservation such as: (1) exploring local vernal pools and learning about their protection; (2) creating pollinator gardens; (3) clean-up and planting in community gardens and parks; (4) trail creation or clean-up on protected lands; (5) park clean-up; (6) making and painting signs for conservation lands.Required Qualifications:
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs
• Strong writing, communication, and networking skills
• A strong interest in land stewardship and hands-on conservation projects
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team
Desired Qualifications:
• Experience managing volunteers
• Experience working with young people
• Experience leading outdoor programs
MassLIFT Partners hosting Service Learning Coordinators:
East Quabbin Land Trust, Hardwick, MA
Highlands Community Initiative, Ashfield, MA
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Athol, MA
Nashua River Watershed Association, Groton, MA
Position: Community Outreach Coordinator
Service Position: The Outreach Coordinator works to increase local support for and participation in land protection and to foster an ethic of community service and civic engagement among community groups and volunteers. The coordinator will reach out to civic groups not traditionally engaged in conservation and: (1) plan and promote group events such as hikes, bird-watching trips, wildlife tracking forays, and wildflower walks on protected lands in the community; (2) encourage community organizations to take on projects such as creating and maintaining trails and community gardens; (3) develop informational and presentation materials; (4) make public presentations about nature, agriculture and horticulture, land protection, and conservation to a wide variety of civic organizations and; (5) seek out community input regarding potential sites for land conservation.Required Qualifications:
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs
• Strong writing, communication, and networking skills
• Comfortable presenting in front of groups
• A a strong interest in working with community groups, landowners and municipalities on land conservation projects
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team
Desired Qualifications:
• Experience managing volunteers
• Experience in local government, or civic organizations
• Marketing experience or experience developing public information materials
• Familiarity with land conservation in Massachusetts
MassLIFT Partners hosting Community Outreach Coordinators:
Connecticut River Watershed Council, Greenfield, MA
Millers River Watershed Council, Athol, MA
Shared w/North Quabbin Community Garden, Athol, MA
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, Athol, MA
Wildlands Trust, Duxbury, MA
Position: Regional Conservationist
Service Position: The main purpose of this position is to help land trusts increase the pace of land protection in their region and strengthen the efforts of volunteer community leaders and municipal commissions to identify and facilitate conservation projects. AmeriCorps members serving as Regional Conservationists will: (1) use maps and GIS to identify promising land protection projects; (2) facilitate efforts of landowners, municipal boards, local land trusts, and potential funders to implement projects; (3) assist and train local boards, land trusts, and volunteers in landowner negotiations and conservation planning; and 4) help communities to form and to carry out the work of volunteer agricultural commissions and open space committees. Mentor/supervisors will provide training and guidance necessary to achieve the program objectives.Required Qualifications:
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills
• Comfortable speaking to groups
• A strong interest in working with municipalities on land conservation projects
• Able to work both independently and as a member of a team
Desired Qualifications:
• Computer mapping skills (GIS) are a plus
• Experience coordinating events
• Experience developing public information materials
• Experience in local government and/or civic organizations
• Grant writing skills
• Experience in land conservation or land use planning
MassLIFT Partners hosting Regional Conservationists:
Kestrel Trust, Amherst, MA
Nashua River Watershed Association, Groton, MA
North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership, Athol, MA
Wildlands Trust, Duxbury, MA
AmeriCorps Member Requirements
The 2010 MassLIFT program will run from October 6, 2010 until August 31, 2011. All MassLIFT AmeriCorps members are expected to serve full-time, serve for the entire 11-month term, and complete 1,700 hours of service. This 1,700 hour commitment includes time spent in trainings and in meetings with the full MassLIFT team. Applicants must also meet the following AmeriCorps requirements:
• A U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the U.S.
• At least 18 years of age and a minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• No more than one previous term as an AmeriCorps member
• Pass a criminal offender record information checkAmeriCorps programs provide equal employment opportunities. MassLIFT will recruit and select persons in all positions to ensure a diverse and inclusive climate without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, color, political affiliation, creed, national origin, marital status, or any other status as protected by federal, state, and local laws. We welcome applications from individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and service upon request.
Compensation: Members will earn a stipend of $11,800 over the 11-month term of service. Upon completion of the program they will receive a $5,350 education award which can be used to pay off existing school loans or apply to future education. AmeriCorps covers members’ health care insurance. Childcare assistance may be provided in cases of financial need. Pending continuation of the MassLIFT grant, members may continue to serve in this program for up to two years.
Application Procedures:
Send a resume and a 1–2 page cover letter via email to Dee Robbins, MassLIFT Program Manager at robbins@mountgrace.org. Please mention in your cover letter what you hope to learn/experience. For further information call Dee Robbins at 978-833-4192.AmeriCorps is a federally funded program that supports a broad range of local and national nonprofit groups by engaging thousands of Americans in intensive service to meet critical community needs. In 2010 more than 325 organizations across the country have been awarded AmeriCorps grants to help them address pressing social and environmental issues, and foster an ethic of civic engagement.
The Massachusetts Service Alliance established in 1991, is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as the state commission on community service and volunteerism. Its mission is to catalyze the innovation and growth of service and volunteerism by creating partnerships that maximize resources, expertise, capacity, and impact.
