Conservation Assistant

Position Information

The Conservation Assistant is a Full Time AmeriCorps position requiring a minimum of 1720 hours. The position begins January 13, 2026 and ends December 11, 2026.

Program Overview

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 conservation organizations around the state. Serving on the front lines of community-based organizations, VHCB AmeriCorps members energize, engage, and empower residents to address unmet needs at the local level, collectively creating positive change and building a healthy future for Vermont.

Host Site

This position is based at Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District, 28 Vernon St., Brattleboro, VT. The member will be supervised and supported by Cory Ross, Executive Director, ross.wcnrcd@gmail.com.

Founded in 1946, the Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District (WCNRCD) is one of 14 conservation districts in the state of Vermont. What began as primarily an interest in soil erosion prevention now encompasses all natural resources and especially water quality. The function of the District is to focus and coordinate available technical, financial and educational resources to meet the needs of Windham County land users. Districts encourage volunteer cooperation of landowners and the general public through information and education. They also inform local, state and federal elected officials about the implication of on-the-ground conservation issues that they address. The Windham District works closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and in partnership with all Vermont Conservation Districts. Windham NRCD serves all who live, work and play within Windham County. The Conservation Assistant will assist the district in meeting it’s goals through more effective outreach and community engagement.

Description of Duties

Essential Functions

• Implement community engagement plan; develop recommendations for revisions based on feedback from prior year.
• Develop and distribute WCNRCD outreach materials to increase public awareness of best practices in water quality, soil health, flood resiliency and recovery, and related initiatives through e-newsletters, social media, and other communication platforms.
• Plan and implement public outreach at community events through tabling and use of the interactive stream table.
• Lead WCNRCD’s stakeholder engagement and public survey.
• Attend and represent WCNRCD at partner organization and municipal meetings, sharing information and collecting feedback.
• Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps.
• Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Program Initiatives & outreach activities to promote AmeriCorps.
• Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities.
• Submit bi-weekly
• Complete all enrollment and exit requirements.

Secondary Functions

• Assist WCNRCD staff with soil sampling on farms
• Conduct invasive species removal at project sites, prioritizing invasive species: Water Chestnut and Japanese Stilt-grass.
• Assist with development of outreach materials for annual Native Plant Festival.
• Assist staff with site visits to landowners throughout Windham County.
• Participate in disaster response and recovery activities. AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or requested by SerVermont to assist in disaster response and recovery activities. This may involve virtual or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of standard service hours or in place of standard service duties. Disaster response activities must be approved and reported to SerVermont by the program.