Conservation Technician

Spend your summer in the woods and meadows of a thriving nature preserve championing the ecological health of plants, wildlife, and people in Central Vermont. You’ll gain important skills in natural resource management and plant restoration alongside North Branch Nature Center’s expert naturalists and passionate volunteers. From trail building to invasive species removal to wildlife management, this position is all about caring for the land and its wild inhabitants.

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 AmeriCorps is a national service program that places members with non-profit housing or land and energy conservation organizations around the state.

NBNC’s mission is to connect people with the natural world. A primary way we demonstrate that mission is through an enriching visitor experience at our 28-acre preserve. The goal of the Conservation Stewardship Technician is to help achieve our property management and ecological resilience goals through hands-on stewardship, ecological restoration, and community engagement. The Conservation Technician will combine a love of nature with a passion for outdoor service to maintain and enhance the NBNC landscape as a demonstration site for best practices in land management and environmental stewardship.

Essential Functions:

•  Help achieve NBNC’s ecological resilience goals via invasive species removal and native tree plantings.
• Help plan for and implement solutions for healthy coexistence with resident beaver populations.
• Maintain existing trails and visitor experience installations (kiosks, displays, benches, etc.)
• Help design and install new trails and features around the property.
• Prepare new sections of the property for a native orchard planting.
• Assist with hosting summer nature programming at NBNC.
• Lead volunteer groups in ecological restoration service projects around the property.
• 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.

Secondary Functions:

• Assist with community science projects including bird banding and nest box monitoring.
• Assist with a summer nature festival taking place at NBNC.
• Help maintain NBNC’s river aquarium displays.

Desired Qualifications:

• General knowledge of New England natural history including botany and tree ID.
• Experience with hand tools and power tools typically used in landscaping and gardening.
• Strong self-starter skills with the ability to envision and tackle long-term tasks.
• Ability to serve independently and as part of a team.
• Strong organizational skills and service ethic.
• College-level experience in natural resources, plant science, landscape design, or a related field.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Comfortable serving outside in all weather conditions.
• Able to travel to and from property.
• Able to safely lift/carry heavy objects (> 40 lbs).
• Ability to work occasional weekends.
• Be US citizen or have permanent resident status;
• Be at least 18 years of age upon entering the Pre-Service Orientation or 17 years of age with verified parental permission;
• Be a high school graduate, have a GED certificate, or be willing to work towards a GED as part of the service-term.  A member cannot have dropped out of high school to join AmeriCorps.
• Has not been convicted of murder or sexual assault and is willing to undergo an National Service Criminal History Check;
• Be committed to the VHCB AmeriCorps program’s ethic of service, appreciation of diversity, and personal and professional development of its participants;
• Have the ability and enthusiasm to drive to, attend, and participate in all required trainings and events, and be prepared to drive up to 2-3 hours each way.
• Available to regularly serve 40 hours per week

Additional Information:

Service Environment and Conditions: Service is to be performed primarily outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.  Service will require working in uneven and steep terrain.

Position begins April 3rd and ends September 29th, 2023

Other benefits include health insurance, federal school loan forbearance, and various training and networking opportunities.

To Apply: https://vhcb.org/our-programs/vhcb-americorps/positions