2025 - 2026 VHCB AmeriCorps

 Conservation Assistant Member Position Description

Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District

Position Information

The Conservation Assistant is a Full Time AmeriCorps position requiring a minimum of 1720 hours. The position begins January 13, 2026 and ends December 11, 2026.

Program Overview

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 conservation organizations around the state. Serving on the front lines of community-based organizations, VHCB AmeriCorps members energize, engage, and empower residents to address unmet needs at the local level, collectively creating positive change and building a healthy future for Vermont.

Host Site

This position is based at Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District, 28 Vernon St., Brattleboro, VT. The member will be supervised and supported by Cory Ross, Executive Director, ross.wcnrcd@gmail.com.

Founded in 1946, the Windham County Natural Resources Conservation District (WCNRCD) is one of 14 conservation districts in the state of Vermont. What began as primarily an interest in soil erosion prevention now encompasses all natural resources and especially water quality. The function of the District is to focus and coordinate available technical, financial and educational resources to meet the needs of Windham County land users. Districts encourage volunteer cooperation of landowners and the general public through information and education. They also inform local, state and federal elected officials about the implication of on-the-ground conservation issues that they address. The Windham District works closely with the Natural Resources Conservation Service and in partnership with all Vermont Conservation Districts. Windham NRCD serves all who live, work and play within Windham County. The Conservation Assistant will assist the district in meeting it's goals through more effective outreach and community engagement.

Description of Duties

Essential Functions

·       Implement community engagement plan; develop recommendations for revisions based on feedback from prior year. 

·       Develop and distribute WCNRCD outreach materials to increase public awareness of best practices in water quality, soil health, flood resiliency and recovery, and related initiatives through e-newsletters, social media, and other communication platforms.

·       Plan and implement public outreach at community events through tabling and use of the interactive stream table.

·       Lead WCNRCD’s stakeholder engagement and public survey.  

·       Attend and represent WCNRCD at partner organization and municipal meetings, sharing information and collecting feedback.

·       Participate in an Independent Service Project under the guidance of VHCB AmeriCorps.

·       Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Program Initiatives & outreach activities to promote AmeriCorps.

·       Engage in professional and personal development activities and networking opportunities.

·       Submit bi-weekly timesheets.

·       Complete all enrollment and exit requirements.

Secondary Functions

·       Assist WCNRCD staff with soil sampling on farms

·       Conduct invasive species removal at project sites, prioritizing invasive species: Water Chestnut and Japanese Stilt-grass.

·       Assist with development of outreach materials for annual Native Plant Festival.

·       Assist staff with site visits to landowners throughout Windham County.

·       Participate in disaster response and recovery activities. AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or requested by SerVermont to assist in disaster response and recovery activities. This may involve virtual or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of standard service hours or in place of standard service duties. Disaster response activities must be approved and reported to SerVermont by the program.

Orientation and Training

·       Participate in all VHCB AmeriCorps Trainings, Service Days and Events.

·       Attend SerVermont training, conferences, and events.

·       Complete Mandated Reporter and On3Learn training required by SerVermont.

·       No more than 20% of aggregate hours can be training hours.

·       No more than 10% of the originally agreed-upon term of service can be fundraising activities.

Evaluation and Reporting

·       Complete an end of term evaluation.

·       Complete a mid-term evaluation.

·       Complete quarterly progress reports.

Time Requirements

Member must be able to serve independently and collaboratively. Some nights and weekends required. Member must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle for travel (mileage provided). This is a hybrid position with some remote service in accordance with the VHCB AmeriCorps teleservice policy, however member will need to regularly attend in person meetings and field work throughout the year. Windham NRCD strongly encourages staff and members to prioritize service life balance. While this position allows for flexible service hours, we request that all staff set boundaries on when they read and respond to emails. In addition to the required AmeriCorps background check, member will need undergo an additional federal background check to use the USDA NRCS computer system.

Benefits

·       A living allowance of $30,500 (pre-tax).

·       An education award of $7,395 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of term of service

·       Healthcare coverage

·       Childcare assistance (must meet qualifications)

·       Loan forbearance for federally backed student loans, if qualified

Qualifications

AmeriCorps Qualifications (45 CFR §2522.200(a))

A.    Eligibility. An AmeriCorps participant must—

a.      

                                                  i.     Be at least 17 years of age at the commencement of service; or

                                                 ii.     Be an out-of-school youth 16 years of age at the commencement of service participating in a program described in § 2522.110(b)(3) or (g);

b.      

                                                  i.     Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; or

                                                 ii.     Not have dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and must agree to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award; or

                                               iii.     Obtain a waiver from AmeriCorps of the requirements in paragraphs (a)(2)(i) and (a)(2)(ii) of this section based on an independent evaluation secured by the program demonstrating that the individual is not capable of obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent; or

                                               iv.     Be enrolled in an institution of higher education on an ability to benefit basis and be considered eligible for funds under section 484 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1091);

c.     Be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States;

d.      Satisfy the National Service Criminal History Check eligibility criteria pursuant to 45 CFR 2540.202.

Additional Qualifications

·       A Bachelor's degree in natural resources management, fisheries and wildlife science, biology or a related field. 

·       Experience in non-profit and/or government environments.

·       Experience with hands-on field service, including data collection using mobile tools. 

·       Strong research skills, survey development, data collection and detail-oriented project tracking and reporting skills. 

·       Graphic design and web management skills.

·       A basic understanding of natural resources and water quality issues in Vermont.

·       Ability to identify common native and invasive plant species in Vermont. Ability to learn to identify less common/new invasive species in Vermont.

·       Comfortable with public speaking, both one on one and in groups.

·       Self-organized and able to set goals, detail-oriented, strong interpersonal and written communication skills.

·       Comfort with performing manual service outside in variable weather conditions.

·       A strong interest in the natural world and a desire to learn more about current natural resources issues and opportunities.

·       Pass Vermont AHS Child Protection and Adult Abuse Registry Checks

·       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.

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

This program is available to all, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, religion, age, national origin, genetic information, disability, military status, familial status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by law.