Job Information
Student Conservation Association 2021 Conservation Steward - The Nature Conservancy in Arlington, Virginia
2021 Conservation Steward - The Nature Conservancy
Expected Dates
March 29, 2021toOctober 22, 2021
Site
The Nature Conservancy Western Massachusetts Program
Position ID
PO-00731386
This position is a part of SCA Massachusetts Conservation Corps, a 30-week AmeriCorps program focused on leadership development, completing critical conservation service projects, and building a sense of community. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the hard and soft skills of being a conservation leader, come join this community of like-minded, service oriented individuals and help us tackle some of Massachusetts most pressing conservation issues. The SCA Massachusetts Conservation Corps is a partnership between SCA, the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), AmeriCorps, and The Massachusetts Service Alliance.The Conservation Steward will work with The Nature Conservancy staff to provide field support for over 8,000 acres of Conservancy’s preserves and conservation easements in Western Massachusetts. This position will provide a broad range of conservation work and will require regularly working independently in the field and office. Primary responsibilities will include assisting with general preserve stewardship activities, habitat management, and rare species conservation efforts. The Conservation Steward will be supervised by the Land Steward and Stewardship Manager and will include preserve and conservation easement monitoring; natural resource mapping using Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS); controlling invasive plant species; ecological monitoring; maintenance of stewardship equipment and facilities; and other land stewardship tasks, as needed and appropriate. This position will assist in monitoring numerous rare species, including two turtle populations. The turtle monitoring project will by supervised by the TNC Stewardship Manager along with a graduate student and will include assisting in using trapping, surveys and radio-telemetry to monitor individuals. They will be required to record locations via GPS and take detailed notes. Additionally, this position may assist with community outreach by developing content for public webinars, coordinating and supervising volunteer workdays, and participating in a select number of outreach events to provide program information to our target communities.Required Member Responsibilities (Essential Functions)
Must be capable of completing physically strenuous field work for 8 hours per day
Hiking long distances over steep and challenging terrains (forest and wetlands)
Working in challenging weather conditions (rain, heat, humidity)
Must be willing to perform land management activities with various tools and equipment, including operating a chainsaw, brush saw, hand-tools, and backpack herbicide sprayer
Capable of following details instructions and using mobile devices (i.e. iPad) to complete monitoring for preserves and conservation restrictions
Excellent note-taking and record-keeping skills needed to record field observation and translate into formal reports
Required Qualifications
High School diploma or GED equivalent
Valid Driver’s license
Experience writing reports
Ability to quickly learn new skills and technology
Recommended Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Conservation, Resource Management, Ecology, or other related field(s)
Experience with GIS
Some field work or other work-related experience requiring extended periods of time working outside
Knowledge of comon and non-native plants and animals in the Northeast
Experience working with Microsoft Office suite, particularly Excel
This position is not eligible for travel reimbursement to site.This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. * The COVID-19 pandemic has required SCA to implement several safety protocols and policies to help our teams manage the risks associated with the pandemic. While it is likely these will change slightly before the position starts, please review the documents below for SCA’s updated organizational response plan and participant agreement form to learn more how our teams will be operating in the field. **SCA COVID Response Plan (http://file:///C:/Users/ariley/Dropbox/SCA%20MA%20AmeriCorps%20Team%20Folder/2020-2021/Program/COVID%20Management%20Plan%2011.19.pdf) It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all members is central to the continued success of our programs. We will not discriminate against an applicant because of race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, physical disability, mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expressions in selections, terminations and or recommendations. Opportunity is provided to all applicants in the basis of qualifications and program requirements. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants during the selection process and to members during service.
Location Description
Member will serve in a small office (3-4 people) that includes TNC staff (2) and possibly partner organization staff (1) and graduate student (1). The office is located near downtown Great Barrington and serves a number of rural communities.
- Training Provided
Wilderness Advanced First Aid, Game of Logging Level 2 Chainsaw certification, radio-telemetry, MA Pesticide Core Applicator License, GPS/GIS (ESRI ArcGIS Online, FieldMaps), easement monitoring, boundary marking, invasive plant ID and control techniques
- Educational/Recreational Opportunities
Educational: Webinars, training resources, and virtual conferences are offered by TNC.Recreational: Opportunities for hiking, swimming, biking, canoeing, and kayaking, as well as arts and entertainment venues, are abundant in the Berkshires.
- Professional Development Opportunities
In addition to all of the previously listed trainings and certifications, the member will be invited to participate in a number of team and project meetings to better understand the workings of conservation land management. They will specifically be involved in research projects and an interagency team that manages rare wetlands, allowing significant opportunity for networking and professional development.
- Need to Operate
Chainsaw
- Handicap Accessible?
No
Main Area of Focus
Natural Resources Mgmt
Education, Training & Skills Expected
Ecology & Restoration
some coursework or experience
Resource Management
some coursework or experience
Data Entry
competent with supervision
GIS
competent with supervision
Hand Tools
competent without supervision
Working with Animals
some experience
Plant Identification
competent with supervision
Trail Maintenance
some experience
Volunteer Coordination
some experience
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible
Eligible
Driving Logistics
Valid Drivers License Needed
Transportation from housing to office is not provided.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
Yes
Housing is not provided by TNC. The member will procure nearby housing and will receive a $600/month housing allowance in addition to their living stipend. Interns, staff, and SCA members have previously rented in Sheffield, Egremont or Great Barrington. Pittsfield is also an option, with cheaper housing prices but a longer commute.
Indoor/Outdoor
Indoor
US Citizenship
Required