| Description |
| | ABOUT US |  | The Nature Conservancy is the world’s leading conservation organization, working in all 50 states and more than 33 countries. Founded in 1951, the mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.
The Nature Conservancy’s Vermont Chapter seeks a fulltime AmeriCorps member to fill a service opportunity at its Montpelier office. This position is offered through and employed by the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps, which places AmeriCorps members in sponsoring non-profit affordable housing and land conservation organizations around the state.
Information on the Vermont Chapter of The Nature Conservancy is available at www.nature.org/vermont. | | ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS | | The Stewardship Assistant will be based out of the Montpelier office and will work on any of 50+ natural areas throughout Vermont. The Stewardship Assistant will work closely with the AmeriCorps Volunteer Coordinator, Stewardship Manager and volunteers to ensure that land owned by the Conservancy is well cared for. From September through November, and from April through August, the Stewardship Assistant will spend two to four days per week in the field completing land stewardship work such as invasive plant control, trail and sign maintenance, easement monitoring, and trash cleanup. In the winter months, special projects and research in the office will be interspersed with property boundary marking workdays. Field work preparation and follow-up tasks will be completed at the Montpelier office. Long field work days with extensive driving and commensurate time off later can be expected spring through fall. With training, the Stewardship Assistant will be asked to plan, lead and supervise volunteer workdays at preserves.
Duties include:
• Control invasive non-native plants
• Maintain walking trails and signs, and construct small trail structures such as plank walkways, ledger boxes and kiosks
• Prepare for and follow up on field workdays, including equipment and vehicle maintenance & cleaning, record keeping, purchasing supplies, and communicating with volunteer preserve stewards
• Monitor properties under conservation easement
• Check and mark property boundaries
• Assist with vegetation sampling and monitoring
• Assist with forest restoration by collecting seeds and planting tree seedlings
• Assist with, organize and staff educational events and field trips
• Special projects may include researching and creating or updating weed management plans, site conservation plans, restoration plans, and interpretive brochures for specific preserves; applying for small grants; conducting literature reviews related to land stewardship; or other projects as Conservancy needs and member interests dictate
• Deliver presentations and perform other outreach functions in regards to invasive species, volunteer opportunities, land stewardship and hunting
• Conduct basic GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping and data collection with GPS unit
• Solicit donations of goods and services (food, tools, gifts) to support volunteer & stewardship programs
• Participate in VHCB AmeriCorps trainings and events, adhere to AmeriCorps provisions and complete AmeriCorps reporting as required | | BASIC QUALIFICATIONS | | Required Qualifications:
• Minimum of 6 months of training or experience in natural science, natural resource management, or related field
• Ability and willingness to do physical labor for long hours in an outdoor setting
• Good people skills; outgoing; tactful; hard working; positive attitude
• Ability to positively represent The Nature Conservancy when working with volunteers, private landowners, community members and land managers
• Able to work independently and take initiative as well as be a team player
• Good writing skills
• Computer literate
• Organized and attentive to detail
• Ability to use good judgment in making decisions out in the field
• Familiarity with topographic maps and use of compass and/or GPS technology
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive standard shift vehicle
• Willing to become a Vermont certified pesticide applicator and use herbicides for invasive plant control
• Ability to commit to serve 1700 hours over 11 months in this position, including occasional weekend field days
• Strong interest in hands-on land stewardship, and desire to further the mission of The Nature Conservancy
Desired Qualifications:
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel
• Experience with GPS technology and ArcMap
• Experience with safe operation of chain saws for trail clearing
• Experience using property survey maps
• Knowledge of Vermont flora, fauna, and ecology, and ability to identify plants
• Experience doing light carpentry and/or trail work, including building and installation of structures such as plank walkways and signs;
• Experience as a volunteer or organizing other volunteers
• First aid and CPR certified or willingness to become certified.
Flexible schedule – available for long field work days one to four times per week. | | ADDITIONAL JOB INFORMATION | | Start and End Dates: Sept. 22, 2009 – Aug. 27, 2010 (end date somewhat flexible).
Hours: Avg. 35.5 hours per week (total of 1700 hours) for 11 months. | | BENEFITS | | Member will receive a living allowance of $13,702 (pre-tax), and an education award of $4,725 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of service. Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training opportunities. | | HOW TO APPLY | | APPLICATION DEADLINE: Complete applications due August 17, 2009 (interviews to begin immediately). Complete applications must be submitted on or before this date. Late applications cannot be accepted.
All application documents are required and an application will not be considered unless complete. Applicants must apply through The Nature Conservancy’s on-line career website at: http://www.nature.org/careers/. Click on How to Apply (new users need to register). Click on View Positions. Enter the Keyword Vermont. Select posted Anytime and click on Search. Click on the link to the job opening of your choice. To apply, click on the Apply Now button. Complete an application and upload the following documents: cover letter, resume, a completed AmeriCorps application (see below), 2 letters of reference, and contact information for 3 references. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Seifert, Stewardship Manager, The Nature Conservancy, 27 State Street, Suite 4, Montpelier, VT 05602, eseifert@tnc.org , 802-229-4425 ext. 119.
AmeriCorps applications are downloadable from the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board AmeriCorps webpage at http://www.vhcb.org/acorps.html. You may also request a hard copy by contacting Francis Sharpstene at (802) 828-3253 or acorps@vhcb.org. Additional information on AmeriCorps is available at www.americorps.org. |
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