International Crewmember 2026

2026 INTERNATIONAL CORPS MEMBER (JUNE - DECEMBER)ABOUT EARTHCORPS:EarthCorps (EC) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization that believes all people and nature can thrive together and seeks to build a global community of leaders through local environmental service. Putting our mission into action looks like an intensive (six-month/year-long) training program that unites young adults (ages 18-26ish) from across the United States and around the world to learn skills in community building, environmental restoration, and reflective practice. EarthCorps is building a network of leaders who have the cultural competency and skills to build a new future, while restoring vital lands and waters and connecting people to nature. This work is ongoing, and the organization is committed to being transparent with program participants about our work, as well as including their input to drive the direction of the organization towards a healthier, welcoming, and sustainable community for us all. POSITION SUMMARY:The international Corps Member position with EarthCorps is a 6-month service-learning experience for non-U.S. citizens, which takes place in Seattle, Washington, USA. Young environmental leaders from countries outside the United States will join US AmeriCorps Members to develop skills in environmental service, community building and leadership. This is not a classroom, internship, or workshop. This is a hands-on experiential education program for people to practice technical restoration of local habitats.Corps Members spend 80% of their time in the field engaged in environmental restoration projects throughout the Puget Sound region of Washington State. Restoration is physically demanding and takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. International Corps Members will serve on crews of 5-7 members with Americans led by an EarthCorps crew leader. Crew members will make a difference on the land through on-the-ground restoration projects throughout Western Washington. Crews at EarthCorps have an opportunity to directly improve the resiliency of our land by restoring habitat, improving water and air quality, reducing erosion, sequestering carbon and engaging the broader community to become stewards of our shared resource. International Corps Members are sponsored by EarthCorps on a J-1 Trainee visa. This position is managed by the EarthCorps Corps Operations Manager and supervised by EarthCorps Project Managers. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, political affiliation, or religion.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:FIELD SERVICE (75% of program)Completed with AmeriCorps Members Crews complete restoration projects in partnership with various land management agencies, throughout the Puget Sound region (in urban, suburban, and rural settings). Crews are introduced to a broad range of project sites, different techniques and approaches to ecological restoration. This broad exposure will provide participants with skills to implement best management practices in restoration, an appreciation of the challenges of restoration and an understanding of the field of environmental restoration work. To better understand the types of projects crews work on please review some project overviews: linked here. Project Implementation: Crew Members are responsible for the efficiency of accomplishing projects and the quality of the final product under supervision from project staff. All corps Members and staff are responsible for the safety of themselves, their fellow workers, and members of the public who may be involved with projects.Restoration Activities Field Service Projects (and estimates of their typical percentage of the program): Initial invasive plant removal (manual/mechanical)25%Invasive plant control (herbicide) 20%Native plant installation (planting)15%Stewardship/ Site maintenance 20%Trail construction/maintenance 20%Physical DemandsRestoration is physically demanding service that takes place outdoors in all weather conditions. Service regularly involves Long days of repetitively shoveling, digging, and swinging heavy tools,Heavy liftingup to 50 lbs. (22.5 kg)and bending,Working, eating, and living in the outdoors in all weather conditionsWalking on steep or uneven terrainup to 8 mi. (13 km) while carrying 40 lbs. (18 kg) of weightWorking in extremes of heat or coldCamping TripsCamping trips give corps members a chance to learn and practice camping skills and deepen team development. In 2025 most organized camping trips were done in a front country (non-wilderness) setting. Typical duration of these trips is 3-4 nights, with the potential for a 10- day trip as well. In 2025, the number of nights camping ranged from 25-40 nights, roughly 1-2 weeks per month.Please consider the labor and job duties of the program prior to applying. Please let us know if you have any specific questions or concerns.TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS (20% of program)Completed with AmeriCorps Members EarthCorps is a service-learning program. This means in addition to learning from fieldwork, corps members will attend training to develop skills and context for restoration activities. Facilitators will use lectures, discussions, reflections, site tours and hands-on assignments. The following range of topics introduces corps members to the field of restoration and develops interpersonal skills:Habitat Restoration:Ecology, Land Management, Restoration Theory and SkillsPacific Northwest natural history and plant identificationExposure to the restoration industry and local environmental networkCommunity building:Explore local Environmental history and current community issuesExposure to local community organizations Fostering a sense of belonging, fairness, and respect and addressing internal disparities in treatment and opportunityLeadership:Understanding of leadership theory and personal leadership styleCollaboration in a small team and community building across teams atEarthCorpsREQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:Ability to work hard in all weather conditions,Commitment to cooperation and teamwork with peers from around the worldConversational EnglishabilityEligibility for J-1 Trainee VisaAbility tolift upto 50 pounds (22.5 kg); Hike up to 8 miles (13 km) while carrying 40 pounds (18kg) of weight for up to 9 hours per dayCORPS MEMBER TERMS OF SERVICE: STATUS:Exchange Visitor under J-1 Visa training program-Temporary,ExemptPERIOD: -June10,2026- December 12,2026(must be able to commit tothefull term)RATE OF PAY:Living stipend of$1,000monthTYPICALHOURS OF SERVICE: 7:30 a.m.-5:30p.m.Tuesday-Friday.Some Saturdaysrequired.Some Mondays off. BENEFITS: Homestay provided (room and board)Days off permissible asdesignatedbyEarthCorpsHolidays will be paid asdesignatedbyEarthCorpsMedical Insuranceprovided byEarthCorpsORCA Pass for bus transportation Education & TrainingBoots, pants,raingearand safety equipment provided*Corps Members are responsible for travel to and from Seattle*TO APPLY: Qualified candidates may visit to complete the application form and upload the necessary documents. Applications are complete, and therefore will be reviewed, once all of the following have been submitted via the online application:Resume / Cover LetterCopy of your Passport's picture pageIn your Cover Letter please include why you are interested in joining EarthCorps and why this program is a good fit for you at this time. In addition, how will this work fit into your professional and personal development and/or future plans? DEADLINES AND START DATES: Application Deadline: March 6,2026Candidate Interviews awarded: March 1-March 30, 2026Participant Selection: March 15-April 8, 2026Visa confirmation deadline: May 15, 2026Travel confirmation deadline: May152026EC Program Start Date: June 10, 2026EC Program Graduation: December12, 2026

Created: 2026-04-02