MountainTrue’s staff care deeply about our environment and the communities of the Southern Blue Ridge. As a team, we’re committed to hard work but also having fun with each other. Accountability, camaraderie, and fidelity to our Guiding Principles: this is what makes MountainTrue a wonderful place to work.
MountainTrue is committed to the principles of equity, inclusion, and non-discrimination. We do not discriminate against individuals, communities, or organizations on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or physical/mental disability.
We recognize and honor diverse cultures and traditions and proactively seek individuals for all aspects of our work from varied backgrounds for the greater enrichment of the organization. To address structural bias, MountainTrue intentionally invests in diverse leadership within our programs, staff, board, volunteer base, and membership.
We are committed to a proactive and strategic equity approach at an institutional and societal level. We understand this work to be an ongoing learning journey as we build an understanding of how structural differences in power impact and inform the work we do in the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains. Our board and staff work together to continually build our analysis and invest in capacity-building opportunities (e.g., workshops) that can deepen and inform our commitment to fostering equity through our work
Click any of the openings below to see job descriptions and application instructions:
Position Summary
MountainTrue seeks a skilled designer to serve as Project Manager for the Appalachian Design Center (ADC)—a new, community-driven initiative responding to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina. This program mobilizes volunteer architects, engineers, landscape architects, and planners to support recovery and climate-resilient development in affected communities.
This is a part-time contractual position. The Project Manager will oversee volunteer design teams working in up to four communities across Buncombe, Madison, and Henderson counties. They will lead community engagement efforts, manage the design process, and ensure that each project results in a comprehensive community report outlining design recommendations, historical context, and an implementation strategy.
This role is central to fostering inclusive, place-based recovery efforts. ADC teams conduct in-depth assessments, collaborate with residents to align designs with local needs, and create solutions that enhance safety, accessibility, and economic resilience—all while preserving regional character. Additionally, the Project Manager will help position communities to secure funding from FEMA, state agencies, regional grants, and private sources.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a transformative design initiative that strengthens communities and advances sustainable development in Western North Carolina.
We are looking for candidates who:
Key Responsibilities
Qualifications
Desired Qualifications
Location & Travel
This position is based in Western North Carolina, with a preference for Asheville, North Carolina. This position utilizes frequent Zoom meetings and phone calls. Travel costs are covered by the organization.
Compensation
How to apply
Please submit a cover letter, resume, and relevant portfolio to Healthy Communities Director Chris Joyell at chris@mountaintrue.org.
Application Deadline: ASAP, rolling application review until position filled.
Internship overview & position summary:
French Broad Water Quality Interns will assist our water team with a variety of tasks needed to help improve ecosystem health within the French Broad River Basin. We’ll teach on-the-job skills — prior experience is not necessary but is helpful. Examples of tasks include, but are not limited to the following:
Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Flexible start date: May 2026
Flexible end date: Late July or early August 2026
Work schedule: Approximately 15-20 hours per week
Compensation: Mileage will be reimbursed at $0.725 per mile
Location: This position will work with staff in our Asheville office. The samples will be collected throughout the French Broad Watershed.
How to apply: Apply here. Including a resume or cover letter is optional.
Internship overview & position summary:
The Healthy Communities intern will work with Chris Joyell, Healthy Communities Director, to research issues involving housing, transportation, land use controls and health, and assist in engaging communities in designing their future. Our work is rooted in the principles of Smart Growth, and we encourage prospective interns to familiarize themselves with these principles prior to engaging with us. A background in design and/or planning is preferred, but students studying health, environmental management, geography/GIS, and economics have also found their niche in our program.
Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Flexible start date: May 2026
Flexible end date: Early June 2026
Work schedule: Approximately 10-40 hours per week.
Compensation: Mileage reimbursed at approximately $0.725 per mile
Location: This position will work with staff in either our Asheville or Hendersonville offices, and much of the work can frequently be done remotely.
How to apply: Apply here. Please answer the following questions in your cover letter and attach that document when
submitting your application form:
Including a resume is optional.
The Glenn F. Carson, II Memorial Conservation Scholarship was created by the Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition (HRWC) board of directors in May 2014, following Glenn’s death at age 43.
To learn more about the scholarship and apply, click here.
