Conservation Assistant

Gain hands-on experience serving to protect and restore natural resources in Southern Vermont. This position is an ideal placement for someone interested in a career in conservation and seeking real world experience. Vermonters face a growing list of natural resources challenges including a changing climate that is bringing more frequent and intense storms, new and growing threats from invasive plant and animal species and increased demand from changing demographics. You’ll help connect the district’s programing with the communities we serve with an emphasis on reaching historically underserved populations. Individuals passionate about protecting Vermont’s natural resources and serving all who live, work and play here should apply.

This position is part of the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps (VHCB AmeriCorps).  The VHCB AmeriCorps program supports the innovative dual-goal approach to creating stable affordable housing opportunities for Vermont residents while preserving the natural and working landscape.  VHCB AmeriCorps is a national service program that places members with non-profit housing or land and energy conservation organizations around the state.

Windham NRCD is dedicated to the protection, restoration and conservation of our natural resources through outreach, education and technical assistance to help land stewards responsibly manage for today and the future. The primary goals for the conservation assistant are to develop and implement a community engagement plan to ensure our services are meeting the needs of all members of our communities, including those who have been historically underserved in the conservation space. Successful implementation of this plan will result in a more representative participation in district programming, including the critical locally-led conservation process that informs district and federal programming and spending. Other goals include improving public awareness of and education about current natural resource issues and opportunities for improved stewardship by land stewards, mitigation and prevention of invasive species and connecting land stewards with state and federal resources for conservation needs.

Essential Functions:

• Represent the conservation district at meetings of partner groups and public bodies including conservation commissions and select board meetings to provide information about district’s programming and solicit input on needs.
• Develop a community engagement plan for connecting the district’s programs with all of the communities we seek to serve
• Attend weekly staff meetings to learn about district activities, share progress reports and identify opportunities to collaborate.
• Plan and implement educational workshops and webinars on a variety of natural resource issues.
• Learn to identify common and invasive plants in order to conduct mapping and removal work, both on foot and by kayak.
• Conduct outreach one on one with land stewards about conservation issues and district programming.
• Table at public events including fairs and festivals in order to educate the public about natural resources issues.
• Maintain accurate records, including registration lists for educational workshops and volunteer logs.
• Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps
• Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Trainings, Service Days, Events, and Program Initiatives
• Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities.

Secondary Functions:

• Develop new initiatives tailored to meet community needs and suited to member’s unique abilities (for example, a workshop on a new topic or a new community science initiative)
• Assist with soil sampling on farms.
• Assist with conservation planning for farm and forest landowners.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in natural resources management, fisheries and wildlife science, biology or a related field.
• Experience in non-profit and/or government environments.
• Experience with hands-on field work, including data collection using mobile tools.
• Strong research skills, survey development, data collection, and detail-oriented project tracking and reporting skills.
• Graphic design and web management skills.
• A basic understanding of natural resources and water quality issues in Vermont.
• Ability to identify common native and invasive plant species in Vermont. Ability to learn to identify less common/new invasive species in Vermont.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Comfortable with public speaking, both one on one and in groups.
• Self-organized and able to set goals.
• Detail oriented.
• Strong interpersonal and written skills.
• Comfort with performing manual service outside in variable weather conditions.
• Must be able to clear a thorough federal background check to work on the USDA NRCS computer system and have access to Personally Identifiable Information (PII).
• A strong interest in the natural world and a desire to learn more about current natural resources issues and opportunities
• Be at least 18 years of age upon entering the Pre-Service Orientation or 17 years of age with verified parental permission;
• Be a high school graduate, have a GED certificate, or be willing to work towards a GED as part of the service-term. A member cannot have dropped out of high school to join AmeriCorps.
• Has not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and is willing to undergo an National Service Criminal History Check;
• Be committed to the VHCB AmeriCorps program’s ethic of service, appreciation of diversity, and personal and professional development of its participants;
• Have the ability and enthusiasm to drive to, attend, and participate in all required trainings and events, and be prepared to drive up to 2-3 hours each way.
• Available to regularly serve 40 hours per week

Additional Information:

Member must be able to serve independently and collaboratively. Some nights and weekends required. Member must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle for travel (mileage provided). This is a hybrid position with some remote service in accordance with the VHCB AmeriCorps teleservice policy, however member will need to regularly attend in person meetings and field work throughout the year. Windham NRCD strongly encourages staff to prioritize work life balance. While this position allows for flexible work hours, we request that all staff set boundaries on when they read and respond to emails.

Position begins September 9th, 2024 and ends August 8th, 2025.

This position is Full Time: Requires 1,720 hours for an average of 40 hours per week for 47 weeks. Member will receive a living allowance of $30,000 (pre-tax) for the service term. Member will receive an education award of $7,395 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. 

Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training and networking opportunities.