The Field Assistant position is based in Poultney and will support the Conservancy’s mission primarily in the southern part of the state. This person will participate in and coordinate hands-on, outdoor field work several days per week, which may include invasive plant control and mapping, trail work, boundary marking, easement monitoring, and scientific research. In addition, they will participate in recruiting volunteers and interns to assist with land stewardship at the Chapter’s natural areas.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Participate in, coordinate and periodically lead outdoor stewardship workdays with interns and volunteer groups.
- Train and supervise volunteers in removing invasive, non-native plants from natural areas using mechanical and chemical methods
- Assist in coordinating the logistics and activities plan for the intensive two-week Leaders in Environmental Action for the Guture high school student internship program and assist in supervising activitieis
- Maintain walking trails, signs, ledger boxes, kiosks, parking areas and property boundaries
- Conduct monitoring visits to private & public land under conservation easement or deed restriction
- Prepare for and follow up on stewardship workdays, including equipment and vehicle maintenance & cleaning, record keeping, purchasing supplies, and communicating with volunteers
- Conduct data collection with GPS unit
- Recruit volunteers for office activities and outdoor stewardship activities, including: invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, boundary marking and other land management tasks, as well as research projects, media events, and unpaid internships. Support existing and recruit new Stewardship Committees and Volunteer Preserve Stewards
- Develop volunteer communications such as workday calendars, website content and Facebook posts.
- Track volunteer hours and attributes in a Microsoft Access database, and recognize volunteer contributions.
- Special projects may include researching and creating or updating weed management plans, restoration plans, and interpretive brochures for natural areas; conducting literature reviews related to land stewardship; and/or other projects as Conservancy needs and member interests dictate
MARGINAL FUNCTIONS
- Respond to inquiries regarding invasive specias identification and management
- Deliver presentations, lead field trips, and perform other outreach functions in regards to invasive species, land stewardship and volunteer opportunities.
- Solicit donations of tools and supplies to support stewardship program
- Assist with vegetation monitoring
Educational Background:
Be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate, or be willing to work towards their GED as part of their service-year successful completion requirement.
Skills/Experience:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Be US citizen (or have permanent resident status; call with questions about this);
- Be at least 18 years of age upon entering the Pre-Service Orientation (there is no upper age limit), or 17 years of age with written parental permission that has been verified by phone;
- A member cannot have dropped out of high school to join AmeriCorps. If a member has a documented medical reason/professional opinion why they cannot finish high school, they might be eligible; call in this case;
- Had 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, and its ethic of service and personal and professional development of its participants;
- Have the ability and enthusiasm to drive to, attend, and participate in required trainings and events, and be prepared to drive up to 2-3 hours each way.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Ability and enthusiasm to do physical labor outdoors several days per week (depending on the season), and to work some long days, evenings or weekends for volunteer workdays, special events or trainings.
- Training or experience in:
- field experience in natural science, land stewardship and/or related field
- volunteer or program coordinations
- project management
- Excellent people skills; outgoing and tactful; energetic, positive and collaborative attitude
- Ability to work with a diversity of volunteers, staff, community leaders and organizational partners
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative as well as be a team player
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Organized and attentive to detail; ability to manage time, diverse activities and multiple projects
- Computer literate, working knowledge of Microsoft programs
- Valid driver’s license, no major motor vehicle violations in last 3 years, and ability to drive standard shift vehicle
- Commitment to serving full 3-month term (450-hour position)
- Knowledge of Vermont flora, fauna, and ecology, and ability to identify plants
- Proficiency with GPS technology and ArcMap GIS software
- Experience leading and supervising volunteers
- Experience and training in safe operation of chain saw for trail clearing
- Experience using property survey maps and navigating with map and compass
- Experience doing light carpentry and/or trail management
- Flexible schedule – available for long field work days (sometimes with extensive driving) one to four times per week.
- Comfortable speaking in front of groups and giving outdoor field talks as well as indoor slide shows or other presentations.
Additional Information:
- Position begins May 30, 2018 and ends August 10, 2018.
- This position is Quarter Time: Requires 450 hours of service. Member will receive a living allowance of $4,725 (pre-tax), and an education award of $1,538 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. Other benefits include federal school loan forbearance, and various training opportunities.
- Shared housing provided as a taxable benefit is available.
- This position does have recurring access to vulnerable populations (youth, persons over 60, individuals with disabilities).
Job Function:
Organization Info
Listing Stats
Post Date:
Mar 12 2018
Active Until:
Apr 13 2018
Hiring Organization:
Nature Conservancy
industry:
Nonprofit