Department of Agriculture

About the organization

AgCorps is a state AmeriCorps program administered by the Montana Department of Agriculture. AgCorps aims to improve the capacity of partner organizations to meet their mission, grow collaborations, provide effective programming, and create resilient, healthy, safe, and engaged communities in Montana. This program is also designed to serve rural and underfunded school districts in Montana that require more accessibility to Ag literacy materials. The AgCorps program strives to deliver the best possible resources and values integrity, leadership, and trust in its members and host sites.

AmeriCorps Program Benefits:
• Members receive a living allowance of $21,000 to cover basic expenses while serving
• Upon successful completion of service, members receive a $7,895 education award
• While serving, members may qualify for student loan forbearance
• Healthcare/ childcare services are available while serving
• A $200/month housing stipend if eligible

Duties

The AgCorps member will assist with the collection and grinding of the pesticide containers providing a free recycling service to the agricultural industry and diverting agricultural waste from landfills and burn piles. While at the sites, the member will provide education regarding the proper disposal of pesticide containers and the environmental impact of improper disposal. During the winter/spring, the member will assist university researchers and extension agents to develop educational posters and slideshows on environmental transport and fate of pesticides.

The Groundwater Protection Program (GWPP) monitors groundwater for agricultural chemicals at wells located in agricultural settings, in fields and near farms. The member will visit groundwater monitoring wells assisting with groundwater sample collection and weather station construction, sensor maintenance or replacement, and groundwater protection education to the public. The groundwater monitoring results provide feedback to pesticide applicators on the environmental impact and risks of pesticide applications in local areas, as well as demonstrate the effective and responsible use of pesticides in the Agricultural Industry.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:
• Comfortable driving a pickup and pulling a trailer.
• Familiar with environmental sample collection
• Record keeping
• Valid driver’s license
• comfortable with long amounts of time on the road and being outdoors in variable weather
• able to work with different types of PPE (gloves, Tyvek suits, hearing protection)
• ability to bend, crouch, dig, and climb on and off trailers and ladders.

AmeriCorps Service minimum Requirements:
• Must be 18+ at the beginning of service (17+ requires parental consent)
• High school graduate, GED recipient, working towards obtaining a high school diploma / GED
• Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria

Salary

21000

Application instructions

Two references will be required during the interview process

Before responding to this announcement, please review the RPCV Career Link Terms of Use [PDF]. The Peace Corps is not able to confirm the legitimacy of every position posted to the jobs board and we ask everyone to use caution when contacting and/or sharing information with any organization while seeking employment. If you believe an announcement has violated the Peace Corps Terms of Use, please contact [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employment

The posting employer has certified that this announcement complies with Peace Corps’ Equal Opportunity Employment policy:

The Peace Corps is committed to providing equal opportunity to all employees, Volunteers, and applicants for employment and volunteer service. Peace Corps policy prohibits discrimination and harassment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or over), disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, political affiliation, union membership, genetic information, or history of participation in the Equal Employment Opportunity process, grievance procedure, or any authorized complaint procedure.

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