Deadline: Fri, 05/31/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: Hemlock Restoration Initiative Job Field: Forestry Other Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: North Carolina Location Detail: Asheville, NC Job Description: Mission Statement: The Hemlock Restoration Initiative’s mission is to work with a variety of partners and existing programs to restore hemlocks to long-term health throughout North Carolina and ensure that eastern and Carolina hemlocks can resist hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA) and survive to maturity on North Carolina’s public and private lands. The Hemlock Restoration Initiative (HRI) is a grant-funded program managed by WNC Communities. WNC Communities is dedicated to providing a unique forum for leaders in the mountain region of Western North Carolina to convene, collaborate, and carry out innovative programs to improve the quality of life for rural communities and to enhance the economy of the agriculture and forestry sectors. Summary of Position: The purpose of the AmeriCorps Stewardship and Conservation Education Associate position is to ensure ongoing protection of eastern and Carolina hemlock trees from HWA by increasing the capacity of HRI partner agencies to treat trees using chemical and biological control methods; to educate, engage, and empower more community members and groups to understand why hemlocks are an imperiled, yet important natural resource in our region’s communities and forestlands; and to actively participate in hemlock conservation. Position Responsibilities and Duties: CONSERVATION EDUCATION (60%) -Schedule, organize and publicize one hemlock educational hike per month to showcase local hemlock populations and efforts to conserve them and to develop an appreciation for our native species and their unique niche in the ecosystems they contribute to. -Help plan and lead workshops and trainings on hemlock conservation and best management practices. -Answer questions from public and partners as needed. Work with HRI Outreach Manager and HRI Director to develop appropriate answers. -Increase awareness of the value of hemlocks in natural and human communities through multimedia descriptions of the diverse benefits of hemlocks’ ecosystem services, including their role in mitigating climate change. (CB–denotes capacity building activities) -Increase awareness of the threats to hemlocks and related forest health, including pests, pathogens, and climatic factors. (CB) -Develop new and/or synthesize existing outreach materials that are useful and specific to the audiences being served, including such things as written or graphic resources in a digital or print format, webpages, videos, tabling displays, and GIS story maps. (CB) -Assist with virtual and in-person tabling/outreach events and presentations to introduce groups and community members to HRI and the importance of hemlocks and associated ecosystems to habitat, water quality, recreation, and sense-of-place; the impact of HWA; and options for control and restoration. (CB) -Share HRI and partner activities and accomplishments and HRI-related stories and research on Facebook or Instagram and HRI website (averaging three posts a month), in stories for two annual newsletters, and through press releases to local media. (CB) -Assist in program development to extend educational resources and technical assistance to a wider and more diverse audience. (CB) -Produce short videos that highlight hemlock conservation areas and HRI restoration activities. (CB) -Develop and improve curriculum for educational events including hikes, trainings, and presentations. (CB) -Establish relationships with new partners for educational programming. (CB) AT RISK ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS (30%) -Fall through spring, perform stand assessments and insecticide treatments to control HWA on federal and state public lands and conserved lands, coordinating efforts with other crew members and volunteers. -Support additional crew members or volunteers to perform treatments effectively and safely. -Fall through spring, provide HWA and predator beetle monitoring and collection support to HRI and partners in insectaries, hemlock conservation areas, and other identified locations. -Maintain and keep track of all equipment used and data generated during treatment workdays. -Install hemlock treatment impact plots and collect baseline data for long-term monitoring in order to inform and improve management activities. (CB) -Review and update Hemlock Treatment Plans (HTPs) as needed. (CB) -Help organize and maintain updated documents for each hemlock conservation area, including HTPs, maps, data worksheets, etc. (CB) -Increase level of help to private partners with hemlock inventories and management plans as needed. (CB) VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT (10%) Support other HRI staff with the following: -Facilitation of volunteer workdays to support the work of HRI and partners, such as the Forest Restoration Alliance, Camcore, NCFS, and USFS. -Volunteer education regarding importance of hemlocks and associated ecosystems to habitat, water quality, recreation, and sense-of-place; the impact of HWA; and options for control and restoration. -Training and supporting volunteers to safely and effectively complete hemlock restoration activities, including insecticidal treatments. -Improvement of training materials and recognition protocols for volunteers. (CB) -Increasing volunteer recruitment from demographically diverse communities. (CB) -Developing and improving volunteer tracking for reporting and recognition. (CB) PLEASE NOTE: In addition to fulfilling host site service responsibilities, all Project Conserve members are required to fully participate in team trainings, service projects and statewide AmeriCorps events. Project Conserve team events will occur approximately twice per month in locations throughout the service area and may require one or two overnight stays. Essential Functions -Using computer software and online programs for conservation-based education and outreach initiatives, including social networking, written articles, and press releases. -Leading, coordinating, and interacting with diverse individuals in field-based and office settings (ex. landowners, students, low-income residents, partner organizations). -Developing and implementing educational programs and events for groups (presentations, workshops, educational hikes and outings, etc). -Conducting field-based monitoring, assessment, and management of natural resources on conservation properties and public lands. -Entering data and records electronically from written forms and data sheets. Equipment / Software Used: GPS unit, GIS software, Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, logger’s tape, backpack/handheld sprayer. Physical Demands: Must be able to hike off-trail on steep, uneven terrain for a full day carrying up to 25 pounds of equipment in a variety of weather situations, sometimes several days a week. Must be able to work at a desk (sitting or standing) doing computer work for several hours a day in a shared office setting, sometimes up to five days a week at certain times in the term. Transportation Needs: Reliable car for occasional trips up to two hours from office if needed (occurs rarely). Setting/Location of Service Activities: Based in Asheville, NC, but sites extend across Western NC. Duties are split between outdoor field settings and office/other indoor settings. Other Considerations: Unpredictable weather may impact activities planned for any particular week or season. Qualifications: Required: -Bachelor’s degree -Enthusiasm for sharing the outdoors with people of all abilities and backgrounds -Enthusiasm for reaching out to and engaging new audiences -Exemplary writing, speaking, and presentation skills for a variety of different audiences -Confidence, leadership, and tact in direct and indirect communications -Comfort and proficiency in social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram -Energy, creativity, initiative, and good humor -Ability to collect, evaluate, and summarize information from a variety of resources -Strong attention to detail -Experience with and/or ability to learn Microsoft Office and Google Workspace applications -Ability to identify and learn new tools/programs to create and share content, track data, etc. -Ability and willingness to work long hours outside in a variety of environmental conditions, off-trail on steep and/or rugged terrain, carrying up to 25 pounds of equipment -A demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborate with others, and receive and offer feedback -Possession of a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle -Eligible applicants must be at least 18 years of age, be a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States, and consent to a criminal history check Preferred/Optional: -Bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field (Forestry, Entomology, Environmental Science, Communications, Outdoor Recreation, etc.) -Experience and knowledge of Southern Appalachian forest ecosystems, invasive species control methods, forestry, entomology, or conservation biology -Experience in field data collection -Experience entering data into an Excel-based database -Basic graphic design skills; familiarity with software such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator Additionally, applicants must: -Be a U.S. citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident -Be at least 18 years of age at the commencement of service -Be available and commit to full-time service for the entire service term: members will serve a minimum of 1700 hours over the 11-month term, which is roughly full-time (40 hours per week). -Consent to a criminal history check and be cleared for service Miscellaneous: Preferred Service Hours / Weekly Schedule: Typically M-F, with 1 to 2 weekends per month (up to 4 days) for public events. Some days in the field may exceed 10 hours. Multi-night fieldwork trips (typically 2 to 3 nights per trip) will be required, sometimes as many as 1 or 2 trips per month from October through April. Overnight trip duration and frequency is variable and dependent on location of field sites. However, comp time will be granted as needed to balance the member’s schedule, and overall schedule is flexible. Salary: $31,000 living stipend (paid in equal installments via direct deposit, twice per month, minus taxes) Benefits: Health insurance reimbursement if eligible. Members are eligible for reimbursement for the full cost of a Health Insurance Marketplace bronze or catastrophic plan, OR up to $100 for a higher-level Marketplace plan. Members who maintain health insurance through a parent or spouse’s employer are not eligible for reimbursement. Childcare assistance if eligible. See eligibility requirements for full-time members enrolled in AmeriCorps State & National programs on the AmeriCorps Childcare Fact Sheet Education award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of the program. This award can be used to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. Learn more about the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award on AmeriCorps.gov/americorps-education-award Mentorship, training, and professional development opportunities. Training may include Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED, Conflict Resolution, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and more How to Apply: To learn more about the position and how to apply, visit the HRI website: https://savehemlocksnc.org/americorps-2024/ All questions can be directed to Thom Green at info@savehemlocksnc.org.
