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 Southern Vermont Stewardship Technician 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 support hands-on, outdoor field service several days per week, which may include invasive plant control and mapping, trail maintenance, boundary marking, property monitoring, and scientific research. In addition, they may support the work of staff on our conservation and communications teams to help further the mission of The Nature Conservancy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Participate in, support, and periodically lead outdoor stewardship workdays with interns and volunteer groups; serve as the Certified Pesticide Applicator on some invasive plant workdays

• Maintain walking trails, signs, ledger boxes, kiosks, and parking areas, which will occasionally involve operating a chainsaw and other power equipment for trail clearing and maintenance (safety and operating training will be provided)

• Monitor and mark natural area boundaries

• Conduct monitoring visits to conserved lands in northern Vermont using GPS-enabled data collection devices and uploading reports to web-based system

• Participate in and support projects ecological monitoring and restoration on conserved sites

• Prepare for and follow up after field workdays, including equipment maintenance & cleaning, record keeping, progress-tracking on shared databases, and report writing

• Conduct basic GIS (Geographic Information Systems) mapping and data collection

• Support and occasionally lead field trips and other events for the general public, TNC members, and volunteers, which may include some weekends or evenings

• Create and develop content for social media and print outlets

• Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps

• Participate in VHCB AmeriCorps Trainings, Service Days, Events, and Program Initiatives

• Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities