Restoration and Outreach IP with James River Association

Job Overview

Title: Restoration and Outreach Individual Placement 

Location: James River Association – Near Scottsville, VA 

Dates of Service: October 28th, 2024 – September 19th, 2025 (47 weeks) 

Pay: $600/week AmeriCorps living allowance, plus $100/week additional benefit ($700/week, pre-tax) 

Status: This is a full-time AmeriCorps National Service position, Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $6,895 (pre-tax). 

Questions? Contact [email protected]  

How to Apply: 

In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements. Preference given to applicants that submit application by August 16th 

About Us: 

Appalachian Conservation Corps’ (ACC) Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.  

ACC, in partnership with the James River Association (JRA) will host a Working Lands Climate Corps (WLCC) Member. The WLCC is a part of the American Climate Corps (ACC), and service members will receive technical skills training, education awards, and career pathway opportunities. WLCC members will receive on-the-ground experience with partners and organizations who conduct programming to support the adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture and Forestry practices and systems. 

JRA, was founded in 1976, and is the oldest and largest river conservation group in Virginia and the only organization solely dedicated to protecting and restoring the James River. JRA pursues its vision of a fully healthy James River that supports thriving communities by protecting the James River and connecting people to it. JRA’s Restoration Program engages partners and its members in taking direct action to restore and protect our riparian areas across the James River watershed.  Our work supports cleanup plans for the James River to meet Chesapeake Bay and local water quality goals. We do this through collaboration, on the ground projects, engaging community members, and fostering a community of learning. 

Position Details: 

This WLCC Member will support JRA’s riparian forest buffer efforts through a unique position that calls for a creative person that loves the outdoors. This position will include two key roles: 1) outreach and communications support to raise awareness of the benefits of riparian forest buffers and connect landowners to technical and cost assistance programs, and 2) technical field support to include assessment and monitoring of riparian forest buffers in the Middle James River watershed. This position could be teleworking from home, out of JRA’s Richmond or Scottsville, VA office, and will include field time and frequent travel.

Position Responsibilities will include: 

Outreach and Communications 

• Work with JRA and Consortium partners to create and implement an outreach strategy and communications plan to raise awareness of the benefits of riparian forest buffers and of programs available for both rural/agricultural and urban/suburban landowners.   

• Create engaging blog, social media, or other creative content that may include photography, videos, and other media. This includes gathering information from partners and site visits to collect photos/videos to highlight success stories of riparian forest buffers installed through partner programs. 

• Attend local outreach, community, and partner events, which could be weekday, evening, or weekends, to speak or disseminate information at around riparian forest buffers. This also includes providing coordination and logistic support for Consortium outreach events and workshops catered towards landowners and the public. 

Technical Field Support 

• Assist JRA staff and volunteer Riparian Stewards to conduct survival checks and tree shelter maintenance on riparian forest buffers. 

• Assist JRA staff, volunteers, and ACC Watershed Corps on establishment replanting in areas of low establishment in riparian forest buffers. 

• Assist JRA staff with volunteer buffer planting events. 

• Assist JRA staff as needed with data management on buffer projects. 

• Support field staff as needed during site visits and inspections. 

Minimum Requirements: 

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 21 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. 

• Must be able to serve a full-time schedule for the duration of the term. 

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent life experience) in communications or environmental based field 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite 

• Willing to participate in JRA’s random drug testing policy for vehicle operators and attendants 

• A valid driver’s license 

• Ability to perform physical work, navigate uneven terrain, and work in various weather conditions such as heat, rain, and cold 

• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Shown interest in learning about ecological restoration, agriculture, and/or forestry 

• Comfort communicating with both rural/agricultural landowners and urban/suburban landowners  

• Comfort with driving in rural and urban areas 

• Excellent oral and written communication skills 

• In-depth knowledge of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and other social media platforms, and experiences with social media analytics 

• Basic knowledge of Adobe InDesign or Illustrator 

Benefits:  

• Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award of $6,895 upon successful program completion. 

• AmeriCorps Living Stipend: $600/week (pre-tax) 

• Additional Benefit: $100/week (pre-tax) 

• Option to enroll in free health, vision, dental and mental health benefits 

• Childcare coverage (if qualified)  

• Student loan forbearance and interest payments (if qualified) 

• $1,500 in professional development and training funds for use during the term of service.  

• $800 in supplies for use during the term of service (must be returned at end of position) 

• Ability to obtain at least one recognized credential or certification during term of service. 

• On-the-job training and development opportunities. 

Our Promise: 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.