AmeriCorps Project Conserve Positions

AmeriCorps Project Conserve seeks dedicated individuals to fill full-time positions serving critical conservation needs in western North Carolina. Each full-time member will serve a minimum of 1700 hours from September 1, 2022 through July 31, 2023. Members serve with host site organizations working to protect the unique natural resources of the southern Blue Ridge Mountain region.

Members connect people with nature and enhance quality of life through conservation education, volunteer recruitment/coordination, and trail creation/improvement. Members also improve environmental conditions in WNC through activities including habitat restoration, water quality monitoring, and public land and river improvements projects.

Project Conserve strives to foster a culture that celebrates and supports equity, diversity, and inclusion, learning and continuous improvement, and high-quality community service. AmeriCorps positions provide unique opportunities for members to develop leadership and professional skills to support their future career goals. Members participate in training and service days up to three days per month with the full Project Conserve team and on an ongoing basis as part of their host site service. Training may cover a broad range of topics including conflict resolution, wilderness first aid and CPR/AED, project planning, non-native invasive species identification, trail construction, volunteer management, and education program development.

Our Host Sites
Conserving Carolina, Environmental Quality Institute (EQI), Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Mills River Partnership, MountainTrue, RiverLink, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, The North Carolina Arboretum Society, Town of Lake Lure & Rutherford Outdoor Coalition, Transylvania County Cooperative Extension, and WNC Communities’ Hemlock Restoration Initiative.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants for full-time (1700 hour) positions must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident
• Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service
• Be available and commit to full-time service for the entire service term: members will serve a minimum of 1700 hours over the 11-month term, which is roughly full-time (40 hours per week).
• Consent to a criminal history check and be cleared for service
• Meet minimum education requirements (see individual service descriptions)
• Meet additional qualifications as listed in the service descriptions
• Meet essential functions for each position as listed in the individual service descriptions

Compensation & Benefits
For full-time (1700 hour) positions in the 2022-2023 program year, members will receive:

• $19,880 living stipend (paid in equal installments via direct deposit, twice per month, minus taxes)
• Health insurance reimbursement if eligible. Members are eligible for reimbursement for the full cost of a Health Insurance Marketplace bronze or catastrophic plan, OR up to $100 for a higher-level Marketplace plan. Members who maintain health insurance through a parent or spouse’s employer are not eligible for reimbursement.
• Childcare assistance if eligible. See eligibility requirements for full-time members enrolled in AmeriCorps State & National programs on the AmeriCorps Childcare Fact Sheet
• Education award of $6,495 upon successful completion of the program. This award can be used to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. Learn more about the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award on AmeriCorps.gov
• Mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities. Training may include Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED, Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and more

How to apply:

Please go to conservingcarolina.org/americorps/ for more information and to apply. Deadline to Apply is May 9, 2022.

Contact Amy Stout with any questions at (828) 697-5777 or projectconserve@conservingcarolina.org. Conserving Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals with known physical / mental disabilities.

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.

Project Conserve is administered by Conserving Carolina and funded by an AmeriCorps grant from the North Carolina Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service in the office of Governor Roy Cooper, and the critical support of our host sites and community partners.