Field Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

VHCB AmeriCorps

Field Assistant & Volunteer Coordinator

The Nature Conservancy, Montpelier, VT

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 is a national service program that places AmeriCorps members with non-profit housing or land and energy conservation organizations around the state.

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to protect the lands and waters on which all life depends. The Field Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator position is based in Montpelier, and will support the Conservancy’s mission primarily in the northern 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 play an essential role in recruiting volunteers and interns to assist with land stewardship at the Chapter’s natural areas in northern Vermont.

Essential Functions:

·  Participate in, coordinate and periodically lead outdoor stewardship workdays with interns and volunteer groups. Serve as the Certified Herbicide Applicator on some invasive plant workdays.

·  Train and supervise volunteers in removing invasive, non-native plants from natural areas using mechanical and chemical methods

·  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 basic GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping and data collection with GPS unit

·  Recruit volunteers for office activities and outdoor stewardship work, including: invasive plant removal, trail maintenance, boundary marking and other land management tasks, as well as research projects, media events, general office support, 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 (particularly during winter months) 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 species 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

Desired 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 coordination

–  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

·  Willingness to become a Vermont certified pesticide applicator and instruct volunteers in safe use of herbicides for invasive plant control

·  Serving full 11-month commitment (1700-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 work

·  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.

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;

·  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. 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;

·  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, 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.

·  Willingness to participate in support and collaborate with fellow VHCB AmeriCorps members, and members from other AmeriCorps Programs.

·  Willingness to participate in a self-designed Independent Service Project and other VHCB AmeriCorps Program Initiatives.

Service Conditions:

This position requires both outdoor and indoor work. During the winter, approximately one day per week will be spent outside. From spring through fall, one to five days per week will be spent outside in all weather conditions.

Position begins September 12th, 2016 and ends August 12th, 2017.

This position is Full Time: Requires 1,700 hours for an average of 40 hours per week for one year. Member will receive a living allowance of $16,320 (pre-tax), and an education award of $5,775 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training opportunities.

This position does have recurring access to vulnerable populations (youth, persons over 60, individuals with disabilities).

To Apply: http://www.vhcb.org/americorps/menu_events/positions/

For questions about this position or to send additional materials:

Lynn McNamara

Critical Lands Manager

The Nature Conservancy

Suite 2, 575 Stone Cutters Way

Montpelier, VT 05602

Application deadline: June 30, 2016

Additional information on AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.org.

The Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) is sponsoring this AmeriCorps position through their AmeriCorps Program. VHCB is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Positions are open to all applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, disability, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran’s status, religion or creed.

Serve. Experience. Lead