AmeriCorps Position Title: High Country Water Quality Administrator
Service Term: September 1, 2020 – July 31, 2021
Address: 164 Depot Street, Boone, NC 28607
Summary of Position:
This position encompasses many facets: working with volunteers on many levels (recruiting, training, mentoring, organizing); learning and understanding meaningful ways to connect applied science to community needs at the local level; evaluating, designing, and implementing impactful programming for the betterment of the community and environment; and collaborating with all types of groups, from government agencies to civic organizations, school groups, other nonprofits, and community groups. The member is in charge of communications with the Water Quality Team, administers resources for all WQ-focused programs, and connects with the broader community to solve water quality challenges.
Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Related educational background preferred: environmental sciences/studies, natural resource management, sustainability/technology, etc.
- Experience working with or managing volunteers of various demographics preferred
- Public Speaking experience a plus
- Member must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience with Microsoft Office, Google suite, Facebook, and GIS preferred
- 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 Service Hours / Weekly Schedule:
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, some evenings and weekends
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
CONSERVATION EDUCATION (20%)
- Collaborate with community partners to conduct public education events in the Watauga River watershed such as Watershed Days;
- Collaborate with other organizations to plan and execute the Float Fest event;
- Collaborate with other organizations to organize and execute Kids in the Creek and other water quality youth education events
AT-RISK ECOSYSTEM IMPACTS & TRAILS (30%)
- Plan and assist with live-staking events in the region;
- Utilize VWIN, SMIE and Swim Guide data to address water quality issues;
- Conduct stream clean-ups and strainer removal work days
VOLUNTEER INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (50%)
- Lead MountainTrue’s High Country Regional Office Water Quality Team;
- Manage the SMIE biomonitoring program and VWIN chemical monitoring program through effective volunteer recruitment, training, and management;
- Coordinate Swim Guide bacteria monitoring program
- Expand the reach of the Adopt-A-Stream program;
- Coordinate Watauga County Big Sweep 2020;
- Host a volunteer appreciation event;
- Pursue other opportunities to engage volunteers as they arise
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 up to three overnight stays.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Equipment / Software Used: PC, ArcGIS, Microsoft Office, Google suite, Facebook
Physical Demands: Paddling, hiking, must be able to swim, some strenuous work outdoors in the elements required
Transportation Needs: Personal vehicle preferred
Setting/Location of Service Activities: Boone office, local schools, outdoors and on the water
- 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).
- Training, supporting, coordinating, and recognizing volunteers for conservation-based volunteer opportunities.
- Conducting field-based monitoring, assessment, and management of conservation properties, public lands, and/or water quality monitoring sites.
- Using mapping software and other computer
.
Summary of Position:
This position encompasses many facets: working with volunteers on many levels (recruiting, training, mentoring, organizing); learning and understanding meaningful ways to connect applied science to community needs at the local level; evaluating, designing, and implementing impactful programming for the betterment of the community and environment; and collaborating with all types of groups, from government agencies to civic organizations, school groups, other nonprofits, and community groups. The member is in charge of communications with the Water Quality Team, administers resources for all WQ-focused programs, and connects with the broader community to solve water quality challenges.
Qualifications – Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Related educational background preferred: environmental sciences/studies, natural resource management, sustainability/technology, etc.
• Experience working with or managing volunteers of various demographics preferred
• Public Speaking experience a plus
• Member must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Google suite, Facebook, and GIS preferred
• 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.
Weekly Schedule:
9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, some evenings and weekends
Service Term:
900 hours from March 16 – August 31, with an earlier start date possible – please contact Andy Hill for details: andy@mountaintrue.org
Compensation:
A $7,431 living stipend is provided for 900 hour service term members. Upon successful completion of the service term, members will receive an education award of $3,047. While members are serving, they qualify for a health insurance reimbursement, childcare, and student loan forbearance.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Conservation Education (20%)
• Collaborate with community partners to conduct public education events in the Watauga River watershed such as Watershed Days;
• Collaborate with other organizations to plan and execute the Float Fest event;
• Collaborate with other organizations to organize and execute Kids in the Creek and other water quality youth education events
At-Risk Ecosystem Impacts and Trails (30%)
• Plan and assist with live-staking events in the region;
• Utilize VWIN, SMIE and Swim Guide data to address water quality issues;
• Conduct stream clean-ups and strainer removal work days
Volunteer Management (50%)
• Lead MountainTrue’s High Country Regional Office Water Quality Team;
• Manage the SMIE biomonitoring program and VWIN chemical monitoring program through effective volunteer recruitment, training, and management;
• Coordinate Swim Guide bacteria monitoring program
• Expand the reach of the Adopt-A-Stream program;
• Coordinate Watauga County Big Sweep 2020;
• Host a volunteer appreciation event;
• Pursue other opportunities to engage volunteers as they arise
PLEASE NOTE: In addition to fulfilling host site service responsibilities, all Americorps 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 up to three overnight stays.
If you have questions about the position, please contact Andy Hill at andy@mountaintrue.org.
Hendersonville, NC – On Thursday, February 13th, Hendersonville Green Drinks welcomes David Caldwell, MountainTrue’s Broad Riverkeeper. The Broad River has its headwaters in the Chimney Rock area and runs all the way to Colombia, S.C. In his talk, David will focus on the many threats that face the river, from factory and farm pollution to riverside development, and highlight the work he does to protect the river. David will also discuss his work that led to the recent settlement with Duke Energy and what this victory means for the coal ash that has threatened the safety of the river for years.
Who: David Caldwell, Broad Riverkeeper
What: February Green Drinks topic: The State of the Broad River
When: Thursday, February 13th, 2019 – 5:30 networking, 6:00 presentation
Where: Appalachian Coffee, 1628 5th Ave W, Laurel Park, NC 28739
David Caldwell moved to the Broad River Watershed in 1987, after receiving in Engineering degree from Clemson University. Since then, he’s been swimming, fishing, paddling and exploring the watershed’s rivers and tributaries. In 2011 he founded the Broad River Paddle Club to connect folks who enjoyed recreating on the Broad River. After many years of paddling the river, he developed a concern for the health of the watershed that led him to found the Broad River Alliance, a Waterkeeper Affiliate, in 2015. After over 3 years of volunteer work protecting the river, David became a member of MountainTrue’s staff. David received his Waterkeeper license and became the first Broad Riverkeeper in 2019. David is also an excellent woodcarver and has been running a wood carving business for 25 years.
About Hendersonville Green Drinks
Hendersonville Green Drinks is presented by MountainTrue, Conserving Carolina and Appalachian Coffee Co. Come to Green Drinks to learn more about current environmental issues, have relevant discussions, and meet with like-minded people. This is a monthly event and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to drink at Green Drinks, just come and listen. Appalachian Coffee Co. offers beer, wine, coffee drinks and sodas. A limited food menu will be available.
