The Volunteer Coordinator/Field Assistant will be based out of the SLCV Program office in West Haven, Vermont and will assist with coordination of volunteers and also work on any of seven nature preserves (9,000 acres) throughout the Southern Lake Champlain Valley Program area. The Assistant will also help with volunteer recruitment and coordination for the Conservancy’s statewide program based at the Montpelier office (this work does not require travel to the Montpelier office, however.) The Assistant may work alone or with other TNC staff, and will frequently supervise volunteers. From spring through fall, at least half of the time will be spent in the field, with preparation and follow-up reports completed at the West Haven office. The Volunteer Coordinator/Field Assistant is required to live in TNC owned housing on the Lower Poultney River Preserve, Ward Farm. The housing is provided at no cost (utilities paid for by member) in exchange for basic caretaker duties such as mowing the lawn and other home and lawn maintenance duties.
Field Assistant Duties include: Controlling invasive exotic plants, maintaining walking trails and signs, constructing small trail structures such as walkways, checking and marking property boundaries, assisting with vegetation sampling and monitoring, assisting with forest restoration by collecting seeds and planting tree seedlings and assisting with propagation at the Champlain Valley Native Plant Nursery. The job includes frequent field work involving physical labor alongside volunteers. With training, the Assistant may be asked to lead some volunteer workdays at preserves. Extensive interaction with TNC’s network of local volunteers can be expected. Some long workdays with extensive driving, and commensurate time off later, can be expected.
Volunteer Coordinator Duties include: Recruitment of volunteers for scheduled work days (including making phone calls, sending mailings, contacting the media, producing publicity flyers and a volunteer newsletter), thanking volunteers, tracking volunteer hours in a database, updating volunteer mailing lists, compiling data for volunteer recognition program and organizing annual volunteer appreciation event. Assisting, organizing and staffing special events including educational events open to the public - including our popular winter Natural History Series - and other events organized for specific groups.
Required qualifications: Good people skills; outgoing; tactful; computer literate; organized; energetic; able to work independently and to take initiative as well as be a team player; good writing skills; good attention to details; valid driver’s license and ability to drive standard shift; ability to do physical labor in an outdoor setting. Ability to work independently and with a diversity of volunteers; able to get along well with people; a go-getter who is eager to learn; able to use good judgement in making decisions out in the field; some knowledge of natural history or natural resources management; familiarity with topographic maps and use of compass.
Desirable qualifications: Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with use of geopositioning satellite (GPS) tools; familiarity with ArcView; experience using survey maps; experience doing trail work, including installation of structures such as plank walkways and signs; familiarity with Vermont flora and fauna, with emphasis on identification of certain non-native invasive species; first aid and CPR or willingness to become certified.
Begin and end dates: September 24, 2007 -- August 22, 2008.
Benefits: $12,825 stipend (pre-tax) for full-time position, $4,725 education award (pre-tax) at end of term, health insurance, childcare if state eligible, and numerous and diverse training opportunities.
To apply: Resumes must be postmarked by September 10, 2007 in order to be considered. Please send a completed AmeriCorps application, a resume and two written letters of recommendation and three references to:
Mary Droege, Director of Ecological Management and Restoration, The Nature Conservancy, 115 Main Road, West Haven, VT 05743.
Phone 802-265-8645 x 21; fax 802-265-4823
email: mdroege@tnc.org
The Vermont Community Stewardship Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
The Vermont Community Stewardship Program is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
