Endangered Species Education and Outreach Position
AmeriCorps
Full-Time for 11 1/2 months
Starts September 5th, 2017
Introduction:
The USFWS West Virginia Field Office located in Elkins, WV, is looking for a creative, self-motivated individual to support the development and growth of environmental education in our region. This position will assist the Endangered Species Program with education and outreach events, and other habitat conservation activities. Our organization believes that taking the time to introduce both children and adults to nature, and to educate them about the wonders of the environment they live in, allows them to develop a sense of place and an understanding of the natural world that will continue to teach and inspire them for a lifetime.
Responsibilites and Duties:
- Duties include planning and implementing events, partnerships and collaboration, newsletters, blogs, social media, speaking at schools, and ...did we mention events?
- Other duties may include some hands on river clean ups, non-native invasive species control, and field monitoring.
- Educational programming will focus on threatened and endangered species of WV and non-native invasive species. This includes a diversity of endangered species such as our charismatic cave-dwelling bats, surprisingly-fascinating freshwater mussels, crayfish, plants, salamanders, and more!
- Other projects and tasks may be included, depending on the specific interests of the AmeriCorps member.
- This member will be encouraged to work with other agencies and organizations (such as the Forest Service, Refuges, local schools, etc.) to develop projects.
Opportunities for professional development and networking are also encouraged and supported. Our office prides itself on creating a fun, safe work environment and we are always happy to accept new talent. Applicants should be comfortable speaking with the public and working with volunteers.
Application Process:
We interview and select applicants on a rolling basis. Applications accepted until all positions are filled.
To get started please submit:
- AmeriCorps portal application (required)
- Complete your profile on https://my.americorps.gov Click on “apply to serve” to create your profile. We suggest that for “local address” you use the state where you will be living during the summer of 2017 (if selected, you will need a background check for that state). Try to select reference names who will be responsive to an on-line reference request.
- Then search for Appalachian Forest Heritage Area. Search AmeriCorps State/National; West Virginia; Appalachian Forest Heritage Area. For can also search for Environment or Community Outreach in West Virginia. When you find our opportunity listing, submit your profile application to it. If you have difficulty with this process, go ahead and email your cover letter and resume directly to us, and come back to this later.
- Cover letter (required)
- Email directly to afha@appalachianforest.us a cover letter telling us a bit more about yourself, and why you are specifically interested in AFHA AmeriCorps. This is your introduction to us. What do you feel you will bring to this position?
- Optional
- Resume – This is helpful if it tells us more about you than your AmeriCorps application, and/or if for some reason you are delayed in submitting the AmeriCorps application. We can start your recruitment process with cover letter and resume, then follow up with AmeriCorps application.
- Short writing sample of your promotional, interpretive, or academic writing (especially helpful for members seeking positions involving a lot of communications or writing) or other relevant examples of your work.
For more information please visit: http://www.appalachianforest.us/americorps.htm