Open Areas Management- Individual Placement- George Washington and Jefferson National Forests

Job Overview

Title: Open Areas Management Team 

Positions: 1 lead and 2 regular members 

Location: Based out of Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, Marion, VA 

Dates of Service: June 1st, 2026 – November 20th, 2026 (25-week term) 

Pay: Lead: $800/week total ($600/living stipend + $200/additional benefit) 

        Regular: $760/week total ($600/living stipend + $160/additional benefit) 

Status: This is a full-time, temporary 900-hour minimum AmeriCorps National Service position. 

Questions? Contact [email protected] 

Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application. Applications will be accepted through March 31st.  

Appalachian Conservation Corps:  

Our 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.   

As an AmeriCorps program, participants commit to a term of service at their placement site in order to gain hands-on experience and a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.   

Position Summary: 

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests (GWJNF) lie in 34 counties in the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. The area covers nearly 1.8 million acres of public land, representing one of the largest blocks of public land in the eastern United States. We have six Ranger Districts and one National Recreation Area. These positions will serve to help the forest recover from storm events in 2023-2024 and build a more resilient forest landscape, from forest health, recreation management, and ecosystem restoration. 

The George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and Appalachian Conservation Corps are seeking 3 Open Areas Management IP’s in 2026. The purpose of rangeland management in Virginia is to conserve open areas for the habitat diversity critical to wildlife, the economic value of grazing areas to the community, and the aesthetic value of alpine vistas to recreation. Rangeland management operates within the wildlife department of the Forest Service. 

During their term, members will get to work outdoors alongside a crew in the beautiful highlands of Virginia, gaining valuable experience supported by USFS staff. Open areas management in southwest Virginia involves barbed wire fence construction and seeding on grazing allotments, and management of invasive plant species mechanically using brush cutters, chainsaws, and mowing, and chemically through the use of herbicides. Bird and botany surveys, small animal trapping, and water quality monitoring are also key to managing a healthy ecosystem. This is a physically demanding position that will require working outdoors using tools and equipment. 

Housing is NOT provided for this position. We are seeking candidates who are residents or would relocate to the surrounding area. 

Essential roles and responsibilities include:  

• Work on small teams in a remote forest environment 
• Utilizeand maintain gas-powered equipment, heavy machinery, and hand tools 
• Construct,maintain, and demolish fencing 
• Control Non-Native Invasive Species (NNIS) mechanically and chemically 
• Learn local flora and fauna and how to use identification keys toassistin surveys  
• Maintainsafety standards and radio communication  

Lead position additional responsibilities: 

• Serve as a team leader to assist with project communication and coordination 

• Manage credit card purchases, submitting receipts monthly 

• Assist with data collection and monthly accomplishment reports 

• Coordinate vehicle maintenance drop-off 

General Qualifications:  

To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 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. In addition, applicants must:  

• Possess a valid driver’s license  

• Obtain a CPR/First Aid Certification by their first day (can be reimbursed after their state date) 

• Be physically capable of strenuous field activities (off-trail hiking, monitoring, survey, etc.) for 10 hours in adverse conditions (high heat, high humidity, biting insects, rough terrain, inclement weather) while carrying up to 40 lbs. 

Desired Skills/Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources field or relevant experience 

• Experience working in a crew or team setting 

• Knowledge of natural resource management  

Benefits:  

• Pay-Lead: $800/week ($600/living stipend + $200/additional benefit 

•   Regular: $760/week ($600/living stipend + $160/additional benefit) 

• $3,697.50 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 900-hour service term (can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)  

• $500 professional development fund (can be used for trainings, certifications, or gear) 

• Option to enroll in health, vision and dental insurance 

• Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions. 

• Federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff 

• Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  

• Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered (Chainsaw training, pesticides, etc.) 

• Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements  

• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths  

How to Apply: 

Please submit a resumé that highlights any education, work or volunteer experience, skills and trainings that may apply to this position. In addition to your resumé, you may 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. 

Our Commitment: 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use of program-specific tools, and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.    

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.