Recreation and Habitat Restoration Specialist

position Title: Recreation and Habitat Restoration Specialist (Position description PDF)

Position Service Site: Perrot State Park (Trempealeau, WI)

Service Time: May 19th – August 14th, 2026 (450 hours total, 40 Hours/week)

Benefits: Living stipend total for the whole term = $6,500 ($500/week), plus an additional housing stipend of $125 per week. An AmeriCorps education Award of approximately $1,900 will be awarded upon successful completion of service.

LOCATION OVERVIEW: Perrot State Park is composed of 1,200 acres that are nestled among 500-foot bluffs where the Trempealeau and Mississippi rivers meet. The Park is known for its natural, archaeological, and historical resources and is managed by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking Mississippi river views from the public hiking and boating trails that are maintained by Park staff.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: The WisCorps Recreation and Habitat Restoration Specialist will perform various conservation work in Perrot State Park including trail construction, habitat restoration, park maintenance, and more. On occasion, they will travel offsite to perform similar activities at nearby state lands including Merrick State Park, The Great River State Trail, and Buffalo River State Trail.

TRAINING: The Recreation and Habitat Restoration Specialist will be trained/certified in:

• Chainsaw certification, plus at least eight hours of supervised chainsaw operation with Park staff
• NOLS Wilderness First Aid
• First Aid and CPR
• ATV/UTV certification

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist with trail construction, renovation and maintenance.
• Remove invasive species and perform prairie and habitat restoration activities.
• Assist staff with building and repairing picnic shelters, kiosks and other property facilities.
• Assist with carpentry, remodeling, and other construction projects.
• Assist with sign repairs and replacements including hiking trail maps and motorized vehicle signage.
• Enhance and maintain pollinator and rain gardens.
• Maintain the park’s facilities, grounds, picnic areas, and campgrounds.
• Support Park staff with educational programming.
• Provide customer service to park visitors as needed.
• Assist members of the Friends of Perrot State Park with their trail and facility maintenance activities, special events, volunteer workdays, and other on-going projects.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT: The WisCorps Individual Placement member may operate machinery such as:

• UTV’s, ATV’s, and other light motorized vehicles
• Chainsaws, brush saws, and other power tools
• Hand tools such as hand saws, loppers, wrenches, hammers and screwdrivers
• Mowers & tractors
• Wisconsin DNR fleet vehicles

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age requirement is 18 years old
• A citizen of the United States, a United States national, or a legal permanent resident of the United States
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and a working personal vehicle
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in field and office settings
• Must possess excellent communication skills
• Understanding of or willingness to learn various conservation practices is required
• Passion for outdoor recreation is preferred
• Physical demands of the service environment require the WisCorps member to regularly perform their duties outdoors in wooded areas, in sunny grassy areas, on uneven natural paths, and sometimes on steep slopes
• Physical ability to hike several miles both on and off trail is required
• Ability to carry up to 50 pounds of equipment, including stooping and bending, is required
• Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions such as cool and hot temperatures ranging to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high humidity, gusty winds, intense sunshine, rain, and in the presence of biting insects
• Must be comfortable working around hazardous native wild plants such as poison ivy and wild parsnip
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions is required
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us by phone at 608-782-2494, by email at staff@wiscorps.org, or dial Wisconsin Relay 711.