Overview
Title: Restoration and Outreach Individual Placement
Location: James River Association – Near Scottsville, VA
Dates of Service: October 28th, 2024 – September 19th, 2025 (47 weeks)
Pay: $600/week AmeriCorps living allowance, plus $100/week additional benefit ($700/week, pre-tax)
Status: This is a full-time AmeriCorps National Service position, Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $6,895 (pre-tax).
Questions? Contact [email protected]
Position Details:
This WLCC Member will support JRA’s riparian forest buffer efforts through a unique position that calls for a creative person that loves the outdoors. This position will include two key roles: 1) outreach and communications support to raise awareness of the benefits of riparian forest buffers and connect landowners to technical and cost assistance programs, and 2) technical field support to include assessment and monitoring of riparian forest buffers in the Middle James River watershed. This position could be teleworking from home, out of JRA’s Richmond or Scottsville, VA office, and will include field time and frequent travel.
Position Responsibilities will include:
Outreach and Communications
Work with JRA and Consortium partners to create and implement an outreach strategy and communications plan to raise awareness of the benefits of riparian forest buffers and of programs available for both rural/agricultural and urban/suburban landowners.
Create engaging blog, social media, or other creative content that may include photography, videos, and other media. This includes gathering information from partners and site visits to collect photos/videos to highlight success stories of riparian forest buffers installed through partner programs.
Attend local outreach, community, and partner events, which could be weekday, evening, or weekends, to speak or disseminate information at around riparian forest buffers. This also includes providing coordination and logistic support for Consortium outreach events and workshops catered towards landowners and the public.
Technical Field Support
Assist JRA staff and volunteer Riparian Stewards to conduct survival checks and tree shelter maintenance on riparian forest buffers.
Assist JRA staff, volunteers, and ACC Watershed Corps on establishment replanting in areas of low establishment in riparian forest buffers.
Assist JRA staff with volunteer buffer planting events.
Assist JRA staff as needed with data management on buffer projects.
Support field staff as needed during site visits and inspections.
Qualifications:
To qualify, you must be between the ages of 21 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.
Must be able to serve a full-time schedule for the duration of the term.
Required Skills:
Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent life experience) in communications or environmental based field
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite
Willing to participate in JRA’s random drug testing policy for vehicle operators and attendants
A valid driver’s license
Ability to perform physical work, navigate uneven terrain, and work in various weather conditions such as heat, rain, and cold
Ability to work both independently and in a team setting.
Preferred Skills:
Shown interest in learning about ecological restoration, agriculture, and/or forestry
Comfort communicating with both rural/agricultural landowners and urban/suburban landowners
Comfort with driving in rural and urban areas
Excellent oral and written communication skills
In-depth knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and other social media platforms, and experiences with social media analytics
Basic knowledge of Adobe InDesign or Illustrator
About Appalachian Conservation Corps and James River Association
Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Our programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
