Conservation & Environmental Stewardship

Conservation members conserve natural resources on projects including ecosystem restoration, habitat monitoring, and environmental education. Winter work is primarily project planning and office-based work; fall, spring and summer work may include substantial outdoor field work for some positions. Some positions are focused on field work, other projects will focus more on environmental education and outreach to stakeholders and volunteers. Most conservation positions are with government agencies (Forest Service, US Fish & Wildlife, WV Division of Forestry) or with the local office of major conservation non-profits.

Cultural & Community Heritage

Members help rural communities with economic development based on their cultural heritage resources and tourism. Positions will be based in specific communities around the AFNHA area, and members will be assigned individually to specific community organizations. Types of sites include heritage sites, historical societies and museums, tourism development or networking organizations, and community development groups.

All positions listed below (Conservation & Heritage)

Appalachian Expeditions- Davis, WV
Outdoor Education Apprentice
Supervisor: Alex Snyder
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.

Augusta Heritage Center - D&E Campus Elkins, WV
Programs Coordinator
Supervisor: Seth Young
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Are you looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community while gaining valuable professional experience? Join the Augusta Heritage Center team as a Program Coordinator with AmeriCorps! As a Program Coordinator, you'll play a critical role in organizing and implementing our cultural heritage programs, including music, dance, crafts, and folklore. You'll work closely with our Chief Creative Officer to plan events and activities, book artists, manage logistics, and ensure everything runs smoothly. Your efforts will help us preserve and celebrate the rich cultural traditions of Appalachia while also providing opportunities for cultural exchange and learning. In addition to making a positive impact on the community, you'll gain valuable experience in event planning, program coordination, and cultural preservation. You'll also receive training and support from our experienced staff, as well as opportunities to network with other AmeriCorps members and professionals in the field.

City of Belington
OnTRAC/Community Development Coordinator
Supervisor: Terri Kittle
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

We welcome you to our small, friendly, historic community of Belington, WV! A town of about 1700 folks on the banks of the beautiful Tygart Valley River in North Central WV. We have been in the OnTRAC program through the West Virginia Development Office since 2009 and are currently transitioning the program from a community group into the City government. Your role is critical in helping successfully complete this transition within the city framework and helping us build the program to meet more of the needs of our residents while improving the tourism potential of our city.

We have a wealth of civic and natural resources and skilled artisans, craftsmen, and trades people in our community and have been developing a series of events throughout the calendar year that have increased community engagement and are laying in the groundwork to activate, fund, and maintain an improved system of public spaces including the Town Square (right at our one traffic light), walking trail along the Tygart Valley River, City Park, Mill Creek Reservoir, and Civic Center. You will help us develop an inventory of commercial property in our downtown and opportunities to spur economic development. You will also have the opportunity to work with the public to conduct a Product and Service needs assessment to help drive business development.

This is a position where you will be encouraged to think expansively and act locally. We are a community where one person can have a large impact and many of our biggest successes have been possible because of this AmeriCorps program.

Hardy County Heritage Development-Mathias, WV
Mountain Heritage Trails Program
Supervisor: Shefa Benoit
Nine Month Position

Hardy County is the number one agricultural producing county in WV. First home to indigenous peoples, the rural, fertile lands attracted colonial settlers. Displacing the first people, the land was surveyed, frontier forts and small settlements then towns were built, and farmland cleared.The French and Indian War, and Civil War were fought in our mountains and across our valleys. 18th century militias were raised and became the Revolutionary War soldiers who helped to secure our independence.

We are searching for an AmeriCorps member to create content for the Mountain Heritage Trails Program, build volunteer capacity, and market the trail system.This position would be of interest to someone with a passion for heritage and its impact on the community, documenting community stories, developing educational opportunities, and encouraging tourism. 

Hardy County Heritage Development-Moorefield WV
Heritage Asset Development Associate
Supervisor: Michele Moure-Reeves
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Positions

Hardy County is the number one agricultural producing county in WV. First home to indigenous peoples, the rural, fertile lands attracted colonial settlers. Displacing the first people, the land was surveyed, frontier forts and small settlements then towns were built, and farmland cleared.The French and Indian War, and Civil War were fought in our mountains and across our valleys. 18th century militias were raised and became the Revolutionary War soldiers who helped to secure our independence.

We are searching for an AmeriCorps member to create content for the Hardy County Heritage Trails program’s Historic African-American Cemeteries Trail, build volunteer capacity, and market the trail system. This position would be of interest to someone with a passion for heritage and its impact on the community, documenting community stories, developing educational opportunities, and encouraging tourism.

Monongahela National Forest Conservation Assistant- Marlinton, WV
Conservation Education Assistant
Supervisor: Amy Lovell
2 Full time (11 & 1/2  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 (11 & 1/2  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!  

The Nature Conservancy (TNC)-Elkins, WV
Stewardship Coordinator
Supervisor: Todd Miller
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 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. 

Tucker Community Foundation-Parsons, WV
Supervisor: David Cooper
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Join our team and help us continue to embody rural philanthropy every day! The Tucker Community Foundation was created thirty-four years ago after a group of individuals was inspired by the flood of 1985 to create a local philanthropic organization. The Tucker Community Foundation is seeking an AmeriCorps member to help expand our network across the counties we currently serve by organizing networking events in all eight counties. Other duties will include coordinating long-time events alongside the development and marketing director and other key staff and board members. Expand social and digital marketing outreach and distribution of the Tucker Community Foundation and Run For It. We would like for this member to help with capacity building for the foundation—helping to create a backlog of the Tucker Community Foundations history, and in turn, implement some of those items back into existence. This member will be an essential part of the team on all levels.

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. 

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

AFNHA is seeking a 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). Member 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* Appalachian Forest Discovery Center- Elkins, WV
Museum Associate
Supervisor: Phyllis Baxter
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Tell the story of forest heritage in the AFNHA by developing your own exhibit in the Appalachian Forest Discovery Center. Located in the Darden Mill in Elkins, this museum first opened in May 2014, featuring a permanent exhibit about AFHA themes, and a different rotating exhibit each year. This member will develop the 2024 seasonal exhibit, starting with selecting the actual topic, likely history related, within our themes. Develop the exhibit through research, writing, finding images and display materials, designing, and constructing the exhibit. Graphic design skills are strongly recommended, but if that is not your strong suit we can bring in design help. The important part is telling the story in an interesting, interpretive, and compelling way.

In conjunction with developing the seasonal exhibit, help coordinate and be part of the team revising the primary AF Discovery Center exhibit to more fully represent AFNHA themes. Work alongside museum professionals to assist with this multi-year effort.

The member will also be responsible for museum visitor services duties through the tourist season, as well as other AFNHA interpretation or programming projects.

Applicants should have interpretation and/or museum studies background, with graphic design (In Design) skill a plus. Content area background related to exhibit topics will be helpful. Will include substantial weekend days during the tourist season. We are looking for an enthusiastic member who wants to take on the challenge creating museum exhibits to tell AFNHA stories.

*FILLED* America250 in Appalachian Forest- Elkins, WV
Story Development Associate
Supervisor: Phyllis Baxter
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Explore the cultural and heritage stories of AFNHA as you experience the exciting diversity of AFNHA tourism sites. You will help develop and implement the America250 in the Appalachian Forest program, telling untold and little known stories of the diversity of America in this mountain area. Activities will include helping develop the program, working with partner sites to share their stories, telling stories yourself through research, writing, and potentially other interpretive products. This position will continue work on AFNHA networked online thematic tours, and support cultural heritage tourism development and networking across our area. See www.appalachianforestnha.org/history-maps for some examples. You will develop content, research, collect photos, and write stories of sites around our region that are connected to similar themes, then implement them as on-line tour products. Both of these projects will coordinate with each site to gather their information and engage them as partners with AFNHA, including travel to visit and experience the attractions.

The member will also support Highlands Creative Economy tourism initiative, and work with partners to build and develop heritage tourism attractions. Work alongside AFNHA Museum Associate member, and as part of the AFNHA team on a variety of projects. Excellent writing skills are essential for this, along with the ability to do research and to work with members of diverse communities. Tech skills or experience with audio / visual / digital platforms, and/or ARC GIS story map familiarity, are a plus but not required. We are looking for an enthusiastic member who is familiar with -- or interested in learning about -- our region, including talking with people and seasonal travel for site visits around our area.

*FILLED* Augusta Heritage Center - D&E Campus Elkins, WV
Collection Preservation Coordinator
Supervisor: Seth Young
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Looking for an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in your community while gaining valuable experience in archival preservation? Look no further than AmeriCorps at the Augusta Heritage Center!

As the Archival Preservation Coordinator, you will play a critical role in preserving the rich cultural history of Augusta and the surrounding region. Your responsibilities will include organizing, preserving, and digitizing a variety of historical artifacts, including photographs, manuscripts, audio recordings, and more. In addition to preserving history, you will have the opportunity to work closely with community members and volunteers to create educational programming and exhibits that showcase the unique cultural heritage of the area. Through these projects, you will develop leadership and project management skills, as well as a deeper understanding of the value of cultural preservation.

At Augusta Heritage Center, we believe that everyone deserves access to their cultural heritage. Join us as an AmeriCorps member and help us make that vision a reality while gaining valuable skills and experiences along the way!

*FILLED* Barbour County Historical Museum, Philippi Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of Philippi
Museum Docent
Supervisor: Jeremy Drennen
1 Full Time (11 &1/2 month) position

Support history and community in Philippi, site of the first land battle of the Civil War. Join the team in this charming small town assisting with museum and outreach. This position will support three related sites in the community:

At the Barbour County Historical Museum, located in the historic Depot next to the Covered Bridge, the AmeriCorps member will have primary responsibility for the museum for ½ of their time. They will greet the public and conduct tours of the Museum during the season from March-November and at other times as arranged. The member will manage collections, design and execute rotating exhibits, and help plan and participate in Museum events and activities. They will also design and post regular Facebook and Instagram posts about the Museum and its holdings and events.

For the Philippi Convention and Visitors Bureau, the AmeriCorps member will design and post regular Facebook and Instagram posts that will attract visitors to Philippi and residents to events. Likely projects will be to design a series of reels about Philippi’s Civil War Trail signs and a digital walking tour of Philippi concentrating on the architecture design of downtown’s buildings. The member will keep the CVB web page updated along with the community wide calendar of events.

For the City of Philippi, the AmeriCorps member will support outreach and communications about the City, working with the City Manager to design and post regularly to the City’s web page, Facebook, and Instagram accounts.

*FILLED* Beverly Heritage Center Outreach- Beverly, WV
Outreach Coordinator
Supervisor: Marisa Terwilliger
1 Half time (6 month) Position

Join the team at the Beverly Heritage Center, a full service heritage museum and visitor center in the original county seat of Randolph County, WV, and home to a nationally significant Civil War Battlefield. Help with preserving our historic town and nearby Rich Mountain Battlefield, tell our important stories, and encourage heritage tourism to benefit community development. BHC members will work together on the BHC team to help with visitor services, events, and volunteer management. 

The Beverly ON TRAC Coordinator member will focus on community revitalization utilizing our historic resources, based on the Main Street model. This member will support and assist Beverly ON TRAC committees including promotion, design, economic vitality, and organization. The member will also work on heritage tourism outreach projects the link Beverly with other historic resources across the area, to tell connected stories and bring interested visitors. Position will need strong communication skills, including familiarity with media technology, and willing to work with volunteers of all ages.  

*FILLED* Beverly Heritage Center-Rich Mountain Battlefield- Beverly, WV
Rich Mountain Coordinator
Supervisor: Marisa Terwilliger
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Join the team at the Beverly Heritage Center, a full service heritage museum and visitor center in the original county seat of Randolph County, WV, and home to a nationally significant Civil War Battlefield. Help with preserving our historic town and nearby Rich Mountain Battlefield, tell our important stories, and encourage heritage tourism to benefit community development. BHC members will work together on the BHC team to help with visitor services, events, and volunteer management. 

The Rich Mountain Coordinator member will focus on preservation of the Rich Mountain Battlefield and the history related to it. This member will assist in nominating this nationally significant Civil War Site to National Historic Landmark status. Projects will also include updating interpretation of the battle site, including potentially improved signage and online interpretation. Learn to understand and monitor preservation and needs of historic landscape and help ensure that it is preserved, maintained, and welcoming visitors. This position will also assist with care of related Civil War properties, and with interpreting and telling stories related to West Virginia in the Civil War. Interest and background in preservation of historic landscapes and stories, with emphasis on the Civil War, is important. GIS mapping skill is a plus. Should be comfortable both in the field and with research and interpretation. Must have own vehicle for travel to the battlefield. 

* FILLED* Beverly Heritage Center-Preservation- Beverly, WV
Preservation Associate
Supervisor: Michelle Phares
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Join the team at the Beverly Heritage Center, a full service heritage museum and visitor center in the original county seat of Randolph County, WV, and home to a nationally significant Civil War Battlefield. Help with preserving our historic town and nearby Rich Mountain Battlefield, tell our important stories, and encourage heritage tourism to benefit community development. BHC members will work together on the BHC team to help with visitor services, events, and volunteer management. 

The BHC is looking for an AmeriCorps member to help revitalize the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike Alliance. The BHC is home to a permanent exhibit about the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike and we would like to continue our work of sharing the research with a larger public and creating more engagement on traveling this scenic highway. To this end, we are hoping to create more digital content for the Turnpike, to recruit new members to this organization, to increase our opportunities for interpretation, and to create more platforms to share our stories.   In addition, the member will help with visitor services, events, and volunteer management for the Beverly Heritage Center. Interest in interpretation of local history, website experience helpful.

*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* Elkins Depot Welcome Center  - Elkins, WV
Heritage Tourism Liaison
Supervisor: Anne Beardslee
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

The Elkins Depot Welcome Center CVB educates visitors and community members in regards to cultural heritage development through the use of heritage education and tourism. Opened in 2006 and located in the restored historic Western Maryland Railway Depot, the Welcome Center serves over 45,000 visitors to the Elkins area each year by providing local and regional community heritage information. The position will improve heritage interpretation, promote environmental stewardship in regards to popular outdoor destinations, and build a stronger organization through recruitment and coordination of volunteers. Through social media, events, and web presence the goal is to increase the educational outreach to attract additional visitors to Randolph County. The member will become an integral part of the Center, will make suggestions for changes, manage volunteer operations, and participate in all major Center activities and day-to-day operation of the facility. 

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

Do you love to teach the public of the beauty and importance of brook trout, macroinvertebrates, and watershed restoration? Come serve a year with the Monongahela National Forest Watershed team, focusing on outreach and education, with opportunities to be involved with habitat restoration and stream monitoring. A large component of this position will be building upon an established snorkel outreach program to engage youth with stream ecology, fisheries, and watershed health. Additional education and outreach activities will be abundant and include working with school groups, Forest Service events, envirothons, and other public presentations. Planning and orchestrating these events is a critical component of a successful candidate and opportunities to develop social media and manage volunteers are plentiful.

Restoration and monitoring projects to which the member will be exposed, and potentially involved in, include stream habitat restoration, riparian tree planting, aquatic organism passage improvement (culvert replacement) and road decommissioning to restore watershed hydrology, as well as various monitoring and research activities. Data entry and GIS mapping are also likely components of the position.

This position is located in the heart of beautiful Pocahontas County in Marlinton, WV serving with the watershed and fisheries program for the Monongahela National Forest. This position is looking for a self-motivating individual with a watershed, fisheries, or similar conservation degree. The position will continue to build upon existing community outreach events, fishing derbies, and other environmental interpretation opportunities within the town of Marlinton. This position will also have the opportunity to work with state, federal, and local non-profit partners with similar goals.

*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.

*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 offer!  

*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 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 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* Tygart Valley Homestead Association-Daily, WV
Homestead Community Center Liaison
Supervisor: Michelle Depp
1 Half time (6 month) position

Help preserve West Virginia History as an AmeriCorps member at Tygart Valley Homestead. This New Deal era resettlement community in Randolph County provided homes for people out of work and is one of three such sites in West Virginia. The Tygart Valley Homestead Association is a growing non-profit dedicated to the preservation of the Tygart Valley Homestead National Register District, specifically the former Homestead School and campus being developed as a community facility.  The Homestead Community Center is serving as a hub for activity in the community for residents of all ages. The AmeriCorps Liaison position will help TVHA grow and develop its capacity to serve the community preserving historic resources related to the New Deal while also building community development with programming, activities, and services through the Homestead Community Center!

This is a ½ time position – which can be filled full time for 6 months, half-time over a full year, or by a full- time member splitting duties with the Beverly Heritage Center open outreach position.

*FILLED* Upshur County Historical Society - Buckhannon, WV
Collections and Research Assistant
Supervisor: Noel Tenney
1 Full time (11 & 1/2 month) Position

Join Upshur County Historical Society in preserving their county history through publishing, programming, and providing a county research center and museum. With three facilities, the History Center Museum, Document Repository, and the historic French Creek Presbyterian Church Building, they care for an artifact collection of over 50,000 items including documents, photographs, and three-dimensional artifacts. These are used for research, exhibits, publications, and sourcing information for projects and public research needs.

The AmeriCorps major projects will be to work with established digital/electronic systems for collections management cataloging and processing artifacts into PastPerfect. The member will work with UCHS research files and original sources to compile content for the Upshur County Digital Encyclopedia project, and will assist with gathering other data to be included on this digital system. The member will be responsible for targeted posting of data and resources from the society’s projects onto social media avenues (Facebook and others), public outreach, journal research and writing, assisting with exhibit research and development, and assisting researchers who wish to access the archive. The AmeriCorps member for this position will need outstanding computer skills (preferably PastPerfect, social media, and data processing skills), a general history knowledge background, and good “people” skills for working with volunteers.

*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.

*FILLED* WV Railroad Museum - Elkins, WV
Museum Docent
Supervisor: Rachel Hayes
Six Month Position

Do you love trains and tourism?! You can be part of sharing the essence and spirit of West Virginia’s railroad heritage! The West Virginia Railroad Museum (WVRRM) was founded in 2003 as a cultural resource dedicated to educating visitors and the community about West Virginia’s railroad history. The purpose of the West Virginia Railroad Museum, Inc. is to be a cultural resource dedicated to educating visitors and the community about West Virginia’s railroad history. In 2014 the WVRRM obtained display space in the restored historic Darden Mill.  Since then, each year a new display is created on WV railroad history.