Prairie Restoration Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Title: OSMRE AmeriCorps Member with LEAD Agency

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: LEAD Agency
223 A Street SE, Miami, OK 74354

Terms of Service:10 weeks

• Start Date: 09/28/2026
• End Date: 12/04/2026
• Application Deadline: 08/24/2026
• Number of Positions Available: 1
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 Hours

Stewards Individual Placements
Stewards Individual Placements, a division of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to build institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health.

Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE)
The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI). Established in 1977 under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), OSMRE's primary mission is to ensure that coal mining activities are conducted in an environmentally responsible manner and that the land is restored to beneficial use following mining operations. The office provides oversight and assistance to state and tribal regulatory programs, promotes reclamation of abandoned mine lands, and supports research and training to improve reclamation techniques. OSMRE is committed to balancing the nation's need for coal as an energy source with the need to protect and restore the environment.

LEAD Agency
LEAD Agency is an Environmental Justice organization serving our region to educate our varied communities to the potential human health and environmental harms of human caused contaminants in our environment. Through public education, outreach, action, involvement with appropriate government agencies and litigation we work to organize a citizen response toward cleanup and restoration of environmental harms while striving for pollution prevention and environmental sustainability.

Position Role
Stewards Individual Placements, in partnership with the LEAD Agency, are seeking an AmeriCorps service member to aid in the LEAD Agency's pursuit to develop programming that advances the ecological resilience, recovery, and education in and around the Tar Creek Superfund Site in northeast Oklahoma.

The selected AmeriCorps Member will help implement a 2-year America the Beautiful planning grant that will develop prairie restoration proposals within the Grand River watershed, assist with final organization and the running of the Tar Creek Environmental Conference, help design plans for an expanded 2027 community garden at the LEAD Agency office; this Member will also assist with data collection, tracking and education regarding ongoing efforts to protect residents from heavy metals exposure in homes constructed using mine tailings.

Description of Duties:
To achieve the goals of this position, the AmeriCorps Member will:

• Expand LEAD Agency's outreach and education activities through the annual Tar Creek Environmental Conference in October 2026

o Assemble educational and outreach materials for use during the conference

o Assist local residents, partners, and others seeking information about the conference

o Help organize special events being held during the conference

o Help set-up and facilitate the conference

• Assist with data collection, tracking and education regarding ongoing efforts to protect residents from heavy metals exposure in homes constructed using mine tailings

o Assist with identifying homes that may pose exposure risks

o Maintain records of homes inspected and the results of those inspections

o Assist with labeling samples collected during home inspections

o Help educate homeowners about heavy metals exposure risks and prevention

• Support ongoing efforts to increase awareness and implementation of natural ecosystems and safe gardening practices within and surrounding the Tar Creek Superfund Site, including two focus sites:

o LEAD Agency's community garden

Assist with the transition to fall crops

Assist with developing plans to improve the community garden and its volunteer base for the 2027 growing season

o A 2-year America the Beautiful planning grant that will develop prairie restoration proposals within the Grand River watershed

Identify land parcels that may be viable prairie restoration project sites

Assist with public engagement and outreach regarding the prairie restoration project

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be 18 years of age or older at the start of the term
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
• Able to commit to 10 weeks of service
• Bachelor's degree in related field preferred

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Has the ability to drive, with an insurable driving history is preferred
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Existing knowledge and experience regarding the history of mining and contamination in the Tri-State Mining district
• Strong communication skills
• Prior experience planning and maintaining vegetable gardens

Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday - Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term
• OSMRE Members are part of a cohort and meet virtually online on a bi-weekly basis; the OSMRE cohort space is established for OSMRE Members to collaborate and support one another on various projects, while also discussing various personal and professional development topics

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1565.08 pre-tax
• Stipend of $800 per week, pre-tax ($700 Living Allowance + $100 Additional Benefit)
• $1000 Relocation Benefit ($500 issued at start of term, $500 issued upon successful completion at end of term)
• Access to all member and alumni benefits of Conservation Legacy
• Opportunity to make a HUGE impact on your community
• Service opportunities can help propel your career forward with intentional experience and professional connections
• OSMRE Members have opportunities to connect and collaborate with other OSMRE Members in the bi-weekly virtual OSMRE Cohort space

Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Application, Resume and Cover Letter:
To apply, please click on the green "apply" button in the top right corner of the page. In addition to uploading your resume to this application, please also upload and attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, please note your interest and qualifications in the position.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:
Susie Schroer
Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator
sschroer@conservationlegacy.org
970-317-9131

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.