Conservation Positions

OPEN POSITIONS 23/24 SERVICE YEAR

Appalachian Expeditions- Davis, WV
Outdoor Education Apprentice
Supervisor: Alex Snyder
1 Three month position -Summer 2024

Appalachian Expeditions is based in Davis, West Virginia. It is a wild place filled with diverse forests, wild rivers, and endless trail systems through spectacular ecosystems.

The outdoor education program leads backcountry trips (backpacking and boating programs ranging 4-15 days) for older participants and day camps for younger participants. Across all our programs we teach an age-appropriate curriculum that focuses on wilderness skills, leadership skills, and ecological understanding. We are seeking an AmeriCorps member who is passionate about the natural world, excited to teach and learn in a community, and ready to spend extended time in the backcountry (up to two weeks). This person will help us lead backcountry and front country programs and assist with the logistics and support when necessary.

Monongahela National Forest Conservation Assistant- Marlinton, WV
Conservation Education Assistant
Supervisor: Amy Lovell
2 Full time (6 month) Positions

Monongahela National Forest has recently jumped into the world of social media and is using it to educate the public on forest management in the central Appalachians. The Forest needs assistance with outreach efforts both online and at in-person events.

The Conservation Education Assistant AmeriCorps member will work directly with the Education Specialist and other public affairs staff to expand conservation education programs and social media outreach efforts Forest-wide. There will be opportunities to learn new skills or hone existing skills including event planning, interpretive writing, photography, videography, video and photo editing, and web design, all with a natural resource focus. The Conservation Education Assistant AmeriCorps will be expected to present in-person educational programs in schools, libraries, and other public venues, and at community events such as the Mountain State Forest Festival, Discover Nature Day, and Earth Day, just to mention a few. There will also be opportunities to work with staff at other agencies and organizations.

Monongahela National Forest Restoration Interpreter-Bartow, WV
Restoration Technician
Supervisor: Morgan Keck
1 Full time (6 month) Position

Spend a year on The Mon! The Restoration Interpreter position is designed to deliver personal and non-personal interpretation for the North Zone of Monongahela National Forest and perform other related duties as assigned. The selected AmeriCorps Member will gain valuable communication skills developing and delivering high quality education and interpretive programs, acquire a professional certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide, cultivate their writing abilities, and fine tune their coordination skills. There will also be opportunities to train in other areas of interest, such as recreation, wildlife, fire, or public affairs, for example. Restoration of forest resources will be the focus for working with the public.

Working for the USDA Forest Service on the Monongahela National Forest is not only an extraordinary career building experience, and one that is sure to be a memorable life experience! Fulfilling recreational opportunities abound. The Mountain State is calling you. Come see what it has to offer!

* CLOSED POSITIONS *

The Nature Conservancy (TNC)-Elkins, WV
Stewardship Coordinator
Supervisor: Todd Miller
1 Full time (6 month) Positions

The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Over its sixty years of conservation action, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 119 million acres of land and over 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide! We are a leading conservation organization working across the globe to address the most pressing conservation threats at the largest scale. We collaborate with indigenous communities, businesses, governments, multilateral institutions, and other nonprofits and pursue non-confrontational, pragmatic solutions to conservation challenges.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the field of conservation and lands management. These multi-disciplinary positions will give candidates the opportunity to work as a team with TNC staff in both office and field work settings.

Filled* Yew Mountain Center, Inc. - Hillsboro, WV
Stewardship Education Coordinator
Supervisor: Erica Marks
1 Half time (6 month full time or 11 & ½ month part time) Position

The Yew Mountain Center, Inc. was founded by a group of neighbors who sought to preserve a in their community and use it to serve the region with educational programs. Their mission is to provide programs that explore Appalachian ecology, culture, and the arts while promoting community and personal wellness. The 500-acre property features the bones of a trail system that passes through forests, old meadows, waterfalls, and by ponds.

Yew Mountain is a community-run educational nonprofit organization and is seeking an AmeriCorps member to help develop our interpretive trail system, map the resources on the 500-acre nature preserve, and conduct educational outreach about forest ecology and culture. The center is a botanical sanctuary with an active forest farming project for native Appalachian medicinal and edible plants.

*FILLED* AFNHA Conservation & Volunteer Associate- Elkins, WV
Conservation & Volunteer Associate
Supervisor: Josh Wanstreet
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Positions

AFNHA is seeking two Conservation & Volunteer Associates to assist in the development and implementation of conservation related projects and outreach, including our Pollinator Initiative, Appalachian Forest Volunteers program, and the National Visitor Use Monitoring program (NVUM). Members will be responsible for conducting NVUM surveys throughout the Monongahela National Forest, promoting the Pollinator Initiative in the AFNHA region through educational outreach and habitat improvement projects, and supporting other conservation projects and partners through Appalachian Forest Volunteers. Potential projects include presenting to school groups or community organizations, organizing activities or displays at public events, or coordinating work projects such as tree plantings.

*FILLED* Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge-Davis, WV
Biological Technician
Supervisor: Dawn Washington
2 Full time (11 & ½ month) Positions

Serve a year in an ecosystem called “Little Canada.” Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge is looking for 2 members to serve in a lush deciduous rainforest in the highlands of W.V. This position focuses on wildlife with a wide variety of biological studies duties including monitoring of bats, vernal pools, beaver dams, water quality, threatened and endangered native species, and non-native invasive plant species. Monitoring includes field surveys and the GIS and data duties related to these studies. Members help organize and participate in tree planting and public lands improvement projects. In addition, members conduct outreach events, manage volunteers, help with visitor services, events and school group activities, and provide interpretive walks about the Refuge. Conservation degree with some field work experience expected. Love where you live and join our team in Canaan Valley, WV!

*FILLED* Monongahela National Forest Watershed & Fisheries-Bartow, WV
Watershed and Fisheries Technician
Supervisor: Chad Landress
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

We are seeking a motivated and dedicated individual looking for the opportunity to experience a diverse assortment of opportunities associated with the management of watersheds, fisheries, and aquatic resources. The Monongahela National Forest Watershed Program is actively engaged in conserving, restoring, and enhancing fisheries and the watersheds upon which they depend in the central Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia. Brook trout and associated cold-water fish communities are the focus of these efforts. Habitat improvements include stream restoration efforts (e.g., large woody material additions, riparian planting), aquatic organism passage improvement (e.g., culvert replacement), and road decommissioning.

Duties include watershed and fisheries improvement, monitoring, restoration, and promoting awareness through community outreach and education about the importance of fish, aquatic ecology, and watersheds. The member will be supported in exploring scientifically based monitoring and research questions. Additional opportunities and/or requirements to assist other programs (e.g., wildlife, botany, timber, recreation, etc) exist.

Members have the opportunity to help strengthen communities through environmentally-based public outreach activities that include assisting in the organization of environmental education fairs, delivering presentations to community members, classrooms, and service groups, coordinating hands-on community restoration projects, and staffing public information booths at public events. Members may also promote watershed conservation awareness in K-12 classrooms by developing curricula, and engaging students, teachers, and community members in hands-on restoration projects. The Monongahela National Forest has a popular stream snorkeling outreach program, and it is a large part of the AmeriCorps member’s duties to plan and implement this program.

*FILLED* Monongahela National Forest- Discovery Center-Seneca Rocks, WV
North Zone Interpreter 
Supervisor: Jeremiah Hyslop
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Spend a year on The Mon! The North Zone Interpreter position is designed to deliver personal and non-personal interpretation for the North Zone of Monongahela National Forest, consisting of the Cheat-Potomac and Greenbrier Ranger Districts, support the Mon Forest Towns (MFT) initiative, and perform other related duties as assigned. The selected AmeriCorps Member will gain valuable communication skills developing and delivering high quality education and interpretive programs, acquire a professional certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide, cultivate their writing abilities, and fine tune their coordination skills. There will also be opportunities to train in other areas of interest, such as recreation, wildlife, fire, or public affairs, for example. 

Working for the USDA Forest Service on the Monongahela National Forest is not only an extraordinary career building experience, and one that is sure to be a memorable life experience! Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area is the Forest Service’s first national recreation area. At 4,863 feet above sea level, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia. Seneca Rocks is an awe-inspiring rock formation and a renowned rock climbing destination. The Forest consists of eight designated Wildernesses, and hundreds of miles of trails. Fulfilling recreational opportunities abound. The Mountain State is calling you. Come see what it has to

*FILLED* Monongahela National Forest Discovery Center & Sites Homestead-Seneca Rocks, WV
Interpretive guide
Supervisor: Jeremiah Hyslop
1 Full time (11 & 1/2  month) Position

The Cheat-Potomac Ranger District is the northeastern portal to “the Mon”. Thousands of visitors from the large metropolitan areas to our east (Washington DC, Baltimore, etc.) and north (Pittsburgh), as well as local residents enjoy the Mon’s many gems including Spruce Knob – Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area and Dolly Sods Wilderness. Within the Seneca Rocks Unit of the national recreation area, approximately 80,000 people visit the Seneca Rocks Discovery Center (SRDC), and 40,000 people visit the historic Sites Homestead every year.

Working for the USDA Forest Service on the Monongahela National Forest is not only an extraordinary career building experience, and one that is sure to be a memorable life experience! Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks National Recreation Area is the Forest Service’s first national recreation area. At 4,863 feet above sea level, Spruce Knob is the highest point in West Virginia. Seneca Rocks is an awe inspiring rock formation and a renowned rock climbing destination. The Forest consists of eight designated Wildernesses, and hundreds of miles of trails. Fulfilling recreational opportunities abound. The Mountain State is calling you. Come see what it has to offer!  

The purpose of this position is to work closely with the Center Director and Assistant Director to improve and add capacity to the interpretive programs offered at the SRDC and the Sites Homestead. Examples of programs that the selected AmeriCorps Member might be involved in include River Snorkeling, Atlatl throwing, interpreting Appalachian culture, and evening programs at Seneca Shadows campground. Hosting an AmeriCorps member will allow SRDC to offer programs and improve community engagement beyond what it would be capable of through routine staff work. This position will also have opportunities to work with other resource areas, and to train in other fields of interest.

*FILLED* Monongahela National Forest-Mon Forest Towns- Bartow, WV
Mon Forest Towns Liaison
Supervisor: Jack Tribble
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

The Mon Forest Towns dynamic AmeriCorps positions will focus heavily on building partnerships with local community members and organizations, as well as delivering hands-on conservation education programs to people of all ages. These positions are also involved in implementing projects that will improve public lands at the federal, state, county, and town levels. Two of the primary community partnerships include the Mon Forest Towns Partnership (an exciting collaboration of ten gateway communities who are focused on identifying ways to grow conservation and nature-based recreation that will result in environmental and economic gains over the long-term) and the Snowshoe Highlands International Mountain Bicycling Association Ride Center (much of the district was awarded a Silver level designation in 2020 and we are striving to receive a gold level designation in the next five years.) Together, we are working with our partners to contribute to a forest in which nature, visitors, and local communities and their economies thrive.

We are seeking hardworking, creative, and passionate candidates to help grow relationships with communities and to increase our outreach to local schools, youth groups, and conservation organizations. You will gain valuable communication skills developing and delivering high quality education and interpretive programs, acquire a professional certification as a Certified Interpretive Guide, cultivate writing abilities by creating and executing social media content and newspaper articles, and fine tune their coordination skills through planning community meetings and events. You will also help develop visitor information such as kiosks and interpretive displays and will engage the public through volunteer events. These positions are well integrated into our offices and will have opportunities to assist in all program areas including recreation, wildlife, botany, forestry, and more!

Working for the USDA Forest Service on the Monongahela National Forest is not only an extraordinary career building experience, but one that is sure to be a memorable life experience! We hope you’ll consider joining our team.

*FILLED* Monongahela National Forest Heritage- Richwood, WV
Heritage and Archaeological Technician
Supervisor: Jonathan Green
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

The Monongahela National Forest has a complex and multifaceted Heritage Program that is responsible for: directing, planning, and administering all activities related to cultural resource management within the Forest; providing professional and technical guidance to the Forest Supervisor; maintaining curation facilities and implementing a collection management plan; coordinating consultation with partnering agencies, organizations, and the public in the effort of planning and developing the heritage resource inventory, evaluation, and enhancement programs; working with special interest groups to develop interpretive programs and information for interested publics; reviewing and analyzing heritage resource laws, regulations, and policies for effects on forest management programs and consistency with regional and national objectives; and facilitating the unique government-to-government relationship between the Forest Service and sovereign tribal nations. The AmeriCorps member will be exposed to all facets of the program obligations while assisting the Heritage Program Manager and team. The primary objectives for the position will be enhancement programs for heritage resources with emphasis on project development, education, and outreach. Some of these projects may include the Mill Point Federal Prison Site Proposed Action in the Cranberry Spring Creek project area, Development of Heritage Proposed Actions for the Sitlington Creek-Greenbrier River Project area, and Lake Sherwood Job Corps and Moo Canyon Scale House interpretation.

*FILLED* Monongahela National Forest Restoration-Marlinton, WV
Restoration Technician
Supervisor: Nancy Adamson
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Do you want to help restore ecosystems throughout the central Appalachians? Would you like to teach youth about important forest conservation issues? Then this position is for you! The Monongahela National Forest is looking for a motivated AmeriCorps member to collaborate with a variety of partners on landscape-level ecosystem restoration projects including the Rivers and Gorges Cooperative Weed and Pest Management Area. This position will serve in support of the Monongahela National Forest's Ecology and Botany Program with an emphasis on native plant material development, red spruce planting, non-native invasive species control, and education and outreach events and materials.

*Filled* U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service- Davis or White Sulphur Springs, WV
Program Assistant
Supervisor: Nicholas Millett
2 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Positions

The Appalachian Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office and the West Virginia Field Office are seeking up to five hardworking and self-motivated individuals to promote fish and wildlife conservation. The Appalachian FWCO is a small office that is co-located at the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery in White Sulphur Springs. The West Virginia Field Office is co-located with the Canaan National Wildlife Refuge in Davis, WV. The positions will be assisting our Fisheries and Aquatic Conservation and Partners for Fish and Wildlife Programs. The programs work with partners and private landowners to conserve habitat for endangered species. The AmeriCorps positions will conduct fish passage assessments at road crossings in priority watersheds, assist with our conservation and outreach / education activities for endangered species such as the candy darter, assist with habitat restoration projects, and assist local watershed association groups. Our organization believes that taking the time to introduce both children and adults to nature, and to educate them about the wonders of the environment they live in, allows them to develop a sense of place and an understanding of the natural world that will continue to teach and inspire them for a lifetime. Duties include working with private landowners to implement habitat conservation measures, conducting non-native species control activities, planning and implementing events, developing partnerships, and drafting newsletters or social media posts, speaking at schools. Other duties may include some hands-on river clean ups, organizing public canoe/kayak events, and field monitoring. Activities will focus on conservation of threatened and endangered species of WV. This includes a wide array of species, such as our charismatic cave-dwelling bats, surprisingly-fascinating freshwater mussels, crayfish, salamanders, plants, and more! Other projects and tasks may be included, depending on the specific interests of the AmeriCorps member. This member will be encouraged to work with other agencies and organizations (such as the Forest Service, Refuges, local schools, etc.) to develop projects. Opportunities for professional development and networking are also encouraged and supported. Our office prides itself on creating a fun, safe work environment and we are always happy to accept new talent. Applicants should be comfortable speaking with the public and working with volunteers.