Individual Placement - AmeriCorps Maintenance & Fire Management at Oahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Service Position Summary  

Position Title: AmeriCorps Maintenance and Fire Management

Position Summary  

The Maintenance & Fire Management member will assist with facility maintenance, vegetation management, wildfire prevention, and habitat restoration projects across the O'ahu National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This position will support refuge staff with maintaining fire breaks, mowing and brush management, invasive vegetation removal, fence and infrastructure maintenance, and habitat management activities that protect native ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk. The position will provide hands-on experience in conservation land management, wildland fire preparedness, equipment operation, and refuge operations. This position is field-intensive and requires serving outdoors in rugged conditions, often in remote areas under hot, humid, wet, dusty, and physically demanding environments. 

This position is part of SCA’s National Direct Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI). OYSI is a partnership between SCA, AmeriCorps, and The Corps Network which engages youth ages 18–24 who are disconnected from school or work in hands-on conservation service that protect and restore public lands, waters, and recreation resources nationwide. The program provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields, while prioritizing placements for participants who meet opportunity-youth eligibility criteria 

 

Member Impact 

Members will make a meaningful, hands-on contribution in implementing critical projects in resource management to reduce wildfire risk and protect native ecosystems.  They will contribute to maintaining a variety of infrastructures, fire breaks, and contribute to fire-related habitat restoration projects across the refuge. In addition, the individual will help the refuge keep its programs open and accessible to visitors.

 

Schedule  

September 7, 2026 – August 6, 2027

 

Hours 

40 hours/week

Monday through Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Some nights and weekends may be required during training and for special activities.   

A minimum 30-minute lunch break is required each service day. Lunch periods do not count toward the required minimum service hours.  

 

Service Location 

James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, Kahuku, HI

 

Immediate Supervisor/Title 

Kelly Goodale, Wildlife Biologist

 

AmeriCorps Service Term Minimum Hours Requirement 

1700 hours

 

Essential Functions 

·        Operate and maintain equipment including mowers, skid steer, weed eaters, chainsaws, blowers, pumps, hand tools, and utility vehicles.

·        Conduct mowing and vegetation management along roads, trails, fence lines, and fire breaks to reduce wildfire fuels.

·        Assist with creation, maintenance, and improvement of wildfire fuel breaks and defensible space around refuge infrastructure.

·        Support habitat management projects including invasive plant removal, native habitat restoration, erosion control, and debris removal.

·        Perform general maintenance duties including fence repair, sign installation, painting, facility upkeep, and trail maintenance.

·        Assist with wildfire preparedness activities and emergency response operations as needed.

·        Conduct manual labor in steep, uneven, muddy, or heavily vegetated terrain while carrying tools and equipment.

·        Safely use herbicides and follow refuge safety protocols and equipment procedures.

·        Work effectively both independently and as part of a field crew.

The position functions will comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the SCA AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement and SCA Corps Member Handbook. 

 

Marginal Functions  

·        Assist with loading, hauling, and transporting equipment and supplies.

·        Maintain accurate records of completed work, equipment use, and maintenance activities.

 

Required Qualifications  

·        Interest in conservation, natural resource management, wildland fire, maintenance, and/or outdoor field