FAQs

Corps are locally based organizations that engage young adults in service projects that address recreation, conservation, disaster response, and community needs. Through a term of service that could last from a few months to a year, Corps participants – or “Corpsmembers” – serve their communities while gaining work experience and developing in-demand skills. Corpsmembers are compensated with a stipend or living allowance and often receive an education award or scholarship upon completing their service. Additionally, Corps provide participants with educational programming, mentoring, and access to career and personal counseling. Learn more about Corps across the country at The Corps Network.

Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and AmeriCorps grantee, engages hundreds of youth and young adults each year in programs and initiatives that improve access to outdoor recreation, restore natural habitat, protect waterways, and respond to community needs and natural disasters. Our mission is to cultivate a community of emerging leaders in service to people and the planet. Learn more on our About page.

Our youth positions have an age restriction of 14-18 years old.

Our AmeriCorps and young adult positions have an age restriction of 18-30 years old, or 18-35 years old for veterans. This age restriction is defined under the American Conservation and Youth Service Corps Act, a subtitle of the National and Community Service Act of 1990, as well as subsection 1722, which authorizes the Youth Conservation Corps and the Public Land Corps.

No. Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa is a nonprofit organization that works closely with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other local, state, federal, Tribal, and nonprofit partners on natural resource projects. However, Minnesota Conservation Corps (MCC), created in 1981 by the Minnesota State Legislature, operated as part of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for 22 years before the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Friends of the Minnesota Conservation Corps assumed operations of Conservation Corps in 2003. Read more on our History page.

Staff positions and youth positions are considered employment opportunities with Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa. Our young adult AmeriCorps members, or Corpsmembers, serve a term of service in a workforce development program, not a job or volunteer role.

AmeriCorps is the federal agency connecting individuals and organizations through service and volunteering to tackle the nation’s most pressing challenges. It is often referred to as a domestic Peace Corps. Every year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members of all ages and backgrounds serve through thousands of nonprofit, community, and faith-based organizations, joining more than 1.2 million Americans who’ve taken the pledge to “get things done” since the program’s inception in 1994. Learn more about AmeriCorps.

As an AmeriCorps grantee, AmeriCorps members serve directly with Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa to give back to their communities while gaining a foundation of marketable skills for their future. Many of our young adult positions for ages 18-30, or 18-35 for veterans, are AmeriCorps positions, where members volunteer to serve their communities through environmental stewardship. As AmeriCorps members, participants receive a monthly living allowance, education award, loan forbearance, health insurance, and other benefits.

Yes and no. AmeriCorps is funded by the AmeriCorps federal agency. However, virtually all AmeriCorps positions are hosted by local nonprofits, government agencies, and faith-based organizations that have applied for and received AmeriCorps grants.

CCMI’s AmeriCorps programs are for individuals ages 18-30 (18-35 for veterans). Prospective CCMI AmeriCorps members must be a US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident (per AmeriCorps eligibility guidelines) and successfully pass a background check before enrolling in the program. Applicants may not be eligible if they have a record of a criminal conviction, are required to register as a sex offender, or pending legal action for a serious felony or violent crime. Our programs are available to all, regardless of disability, race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, political affiliation, or other non-merit factors. See our open positions to learn more about qualifications.

Living allowance, and an education award to pay for college or trade school expenses, or to repay qualified student loans, loan deferment and interest forbearance on qualified student loans while in service, technical skills training and professional development, alumni network, member assistance fund for emergency financial situations while in service, and more. Health care benefits are provided while serving with CCMI. You may also be eligible to receive a childcare benefit if you have children under the age of 13.

During the service term, members are eligible for student loan forbearance through AmeriCorps for qualified, federal loans. Check with your loan-holder to determine if your loans are eligible.

The Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is a post-service benefit earned by individuals who complete approved terms of national service in AmeriCorps programs.

The award may be used to pay educational expenses at eligible post-secondary institutions or to repay qualified student loans. Learn more about the Education Award.

Many Corpsmembers discover what they want to do during their time with CCMI. Corpsmembers have gone on to jobs as firefighters, trail workers, park rangers, teachers, police officers, solar panel installers, small business owners, and more. Many Corpsmembers also go on to college or vocational schools, using scholarships earned in CCMI. See where Alumni are now.

Lodging is provided to members only in our residential Summer Youth Corps program, but generally housing is not provided by Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa. Some select programs or locations may offer limited housing opportunities.

Yes, you can serve for a total of four AmeriCorps terms with Conservation Corps MN & IA if you haven’t served prior AmeriCorps terms with other organizations. However, you can only earn the equivalent of two full-term Education Awards.

AmeriCorps members serving at CCMI receive a monthly stipend. See open positions for current stipend amounts.

Feel free to apply to all the positions you are interested in.