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AmeriCorps Forest Restoration Assistant

The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to make a positive impact around the world in 79 countries and territories, all 50 United States, and your backyard. Founded in 1951, our mission is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. One of our core values is our commitment to a globally diverse and culturally competent workforce. Visit www.nature.org/aboutus to learn more.
AmeriCorps is a network of national service programs which take a different approach to improving lives and fostering civic engagement. Members commit their time to address critical community needs like increasing academic achievement, mentoring youth, fighting poverty, sustaining national parks, preparing for disasters, conservation and more. AmeriCorps members make people safer, stronger, healthier; to strengthen communities and to Get Things Done for America. This position is rewarded by a monthly stipend, health and childcare, student loan deferment, an education award, and new skills and training to help build career opportunities.
Become a force for nature and a healthy planet by joining the Maryland/DC Chapter’s Resilient Forests Team! Our work is focused on two areas where our outcomes can have the greatest impact for the residents of Maryland/DC: protecting clean water and tackling climate change. Our efforts span the region, from western Maryland's Central Appalachian forests to our nation's capital and beyond to the Chesapeake Bay. The AmeriCorps Forest Restoration Assistant serves with The Nature Conservancy over an 11-month period to advance our work in improving private and public lands, providing education and training in stewardship and environmental practices, and growing our volunteer support. They will be responsible for a variety of land stewardship and forest restoration activities in support of the goals for the Maryland/DC Chapter’s Resilient Forests Program and will work with Conservation staff in teams to ensure the coordination, community support and implementation of preserve/forest management plans. 
Essential functions include: Collect forest measurement data and apply basic data summary and analysis methods to report on findings, with training and direction from supervisor; assist supervisor in marking legacy trees, designating patch reserves, characterizing canopy gaps and planting seedlings for a late-successional forest management project; identify, map, and remove invasive species at restoration sites; use GIS and mobile map apps to map monitoring and treatment sites; assist supervisor during drone missions conducted as part of restoration projects by establishing ground control points; maintain a geodatabase with spatial data and conduct basic image processing/analysis with training and direction from supervisor; work with a burn team to implement prescribed burn and participate in prescribed burning after meeting the following requirements: Receive certificate and training in prescribed burns; pass physical Pack-test for s130/190 certification; and receive CPR/First Aide Training; may organize volunteer events, engage local participants to treat invasive species, remove fencing, plant native plants, etc.; improve coordination among stakeholders and partners working on controlled burning, forest restoration, and invasive plant control; and communicate conservation efforts being implemented such as forest restoration, controlled fire, and invasive plant control to stakeholders, partners, and the general public. 
Minimum Qualifications
• U.S. Citizen, U.S. National or Lawful Permanent Resident
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• High school diploma or GED, some college and conservation experience desirable
• Satisfy the National Service Criminal History check eligibility criteria
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with MS Office
• Ability to follow instructions from colleagues
• Commitment to complete 11 months as AmeriCorps member
• Good organizational skills and ability to manage diverse activities to meet deadlines
• A valid driver’s license
With the support of more than one million members, the Conservancy addresses the most pressing threats to people and nature, working in wild places and in human settled areas including cities. Since its founding in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has protected more than 119 million acres of land and 5,000 miles of rivers worldwide. Through important and strategic partnerships, we are expanding the impact of our work, finding creative ways to pursue our vision of a world where people and nature thrive together, and building long-term relationships with communities and community organizations, government agencies, and commercial businesses. We create partnerships to apply nature-based solutions to both climate change and the meeting of human needs while conserving natural resources at a new scale.
If you are interested in working to save the planet, want to work in a collaborative environment, and like a great benefits package, please submit your cover letter and resume for position number 48777 by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time by July 12th, 2020. Please see the full position description and apply at www.nature.org/careers.
The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of all genders with diverse backgrounds, beliefs and cultures. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, gender identities, military or veteran status or other status protected by law.