Wv Ecological Restoration Crewmember

Elkins, West Virginia, USA

#LI-POST

The mission of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is to conserve the lands and waters upon which all life depends. As a science-based organization, we develop innovative, on-the-ground solutions to the world’s toughest environmental challenges so that people and nature can thrive. Our work is guided by our values, which include a commitment to diversity and respect for people, communities, and cultures. From a rewarding mission to career development and flexible schedules, there are many reasons to love life #insideTNC. Want to know more? Check out our TNC Talent playlist on YouTube to hear stories from staff or visit Glassdoor.

One of TNC’s primary goals is to cultivate an inclusive work environment so that employees around the globe have a sense of belonging and feel that their unique contributions are valued. We know we’ll only achieve our mission by hiring and engaging a diverse staff that reflects the communities in which we work. Recognizing that people bring talent and skills that have been developed outside the scope of a job, we take a holistic approach to recruitment that considers life experience in addition to the professional requirements listed in our postings. Please apply – we’d love to hear from you. To quote a popular saying at TNC, “you’ll join for the mission, and you’ll stay for the people.”

We at The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia—recognizing that conservation is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities—are committed to diversity and leveraging our differences. We value the contributions of all, and we strive to foster attitudes of respect and perpetual learning within our workplace. We will recruit and develop staff and trustees that embrace and embody these traits to create a diverse, inclusive and equitable organization that reflects our global and local character. We know that innovation is best supported by differences, and so seek to leverage these differences to be more effective in our work while respecting and learning from all. You can read more about our diversity and inclusion work here and access our Code of Conduct here.

The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia (TNC) operates an Ecological Restoration Team (ERT), which has multiple openings for crew members. The team is operated in conjunction with the Monongahela National Forest and other federal, state, and NGO partners of the Central Appalachians Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI).

The Ecological Restoration Crewmember is responsible for working with other crewmembers to help safely and effectively restore red spruce forests by way of releasing sapling spruce from hardwood competition. The Ecological Restoration Team focuses on restoring West Virginia’s high-elevation red spruce forests, which provide critical habitat for hundreds of animal species, including rare, threatened, and endangered species like the Cheat Mountain Salamander and the West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel. The work that the Ecological Restoration Team performs is a vital component of practicing scientifically based active management and restoration of the forests that make West Virginia such an ecologically special place.

Ecological Restoration Crewmembers will also assist Monongahela National Forest staff with preparation of units for prescribed fire. Preparation of units will involve use of hand tools and chainsaws to remove hazardous trees and fuels. This collaborative work will help expand the use of prescribed fire across the National Forest to promote healthy fire adapted forests. Appropriate chainsaw training will be provided.

CORE FUNCTIONS

Crewmembers serve a critical role of advancing on-the-ground conservation goals through partnership with the Monongahela National Forest. Crew members will spend roughly 50% of their time conducting tree release of red spruce saplings from hardwood competition using herbicide, 20% removing non-native invasive plants, 20% preparing burn units for prescribed fire, 5% mapping and monitoring restoration outcomes, and 5% building job skills and career development.

These full-time temporary positions will run from approximately May 15, 2023 to August 11, 2023. Exceptions to these dates will be considered for those with extenuating circumstances. These positions are based out of Elkins, WV and will include daily travel to work sites. Transportation will be provided for work purposes. On-site training will be provided for all essential skills. Housing is not provided. Pay for this position is $17/hour.

RESPONSIBILITIES & SCOPE

• Work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and/or under physically demanding circumstances.
• Maintain hand tools, power tools and other equipment in working condition.
• Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
• Work collaboratively as a team and occasionally independently within the above conditions.

West Virginia is searching for individuals that want to have a direct impact by advancing our red spruce restoration in the field. If you are looking to work outdoors, have a passion for nature, and want to help advance the restoration of some of West Virginia’s most scenic and ecologically important lands, then this is the job for you. If you are up for a challenge, have a passion for conservation, and want to grow or start your career in natural resource management, then you are right for our team.

The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental leader, impacting conservation in 76 countries and territories, including all 50 U.S. states. It is also one of the top fundraising charities in the United States. By joining our West Virginia team, you will become part of a small but passionate group of dedicated people who are on the leading edge of scaling conservation of lands and waters while ensuring West Virginia takes a bold step into a low climate future that will also leverage economic diversification and change that brings real benefit to local communities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Experience operating various types of equipment in a safe and efficient manner (e.g., hand tools, chainsaws, 4-wheel-drive vehicles, UTV, or similar equipment).
• High school diploma, OR GED and 6 months of related experience*.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant experience* and relevant course work**
• Strong verbal communication skills in stressful or physically demanding situations.
• Ability to follow instructions from colleagues, coworkers, and team members.

• Examples of relevant experience may include volunteering, farming, foraging, outdoor recreation, landscaping, manual labor, etc.

Since 1951, TNC has been doing work you can believe in. Through grassroots action, we have grown from a small non-profit into one of the most effective and wide-reaching environmental organizations in the world. Thanks to more than 1 million members, over 400 scientists, and the dedicated efforts of our diverse staff and partners, we impact conservation around the world!

TNC offers a competitive, comprehensive benefits package including health care benefits, flexible spending accounts, a 401(k) plan with an 8% employer match, parental leave, accrued paid time off, life insurance, disability coverage, employee assistance program, other life and work well-being benefits. Learn more about our benefits on our Culture Tab on nature.org/careers.

We’re proud to offer a flexible work environment that supports of the health and well-being of the people we employ.

This position requires a valid driver's license and compliance with the Conservancy's Auto Safety Program. Employees may not drive Conservancy-owned/leased vehicles, rental cars, or personal vehicles on behalf of the Conservancy if considered "high risk drivers." Please see further details in the Auto Safety Program document available at www.nature.org/careers.
Employment in this position will be contingent upon completion of a Vehicle Use Agreement, which may include a review of the prospective employee's motor vehicle record.

To apply for job ID 52910, submit your materials online by using the Apply Now button at https://careers.nature.org/. Need help applying? Visit our recruitment page or contact [email protected].

The Nature Conservancy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversity includes the recognition that our conservation mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people of diverse backgrounds, beliefs and culture. Recruiting and mentoring staff to create an inclusive organization that reflects our global character is a priority and we encourage applicants from all cultures, races, colors, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military, protected veteran status or other status protected by law.

Do you have military experience? Visit our U.S. Military Skills Translator to match your military experience with our current job openings!

TNC is committed to offering accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application process. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please send a note to [email protected] with Request for Accommodation in the subject line.

Where legally permissible, TNC requires all new employees to be fully vaccinated and willing to keep up to date with vaccines that protect against COVID-19. By accepting an offer of employment, you agree to comply with this requirement, unless you are entitled to a legally mandated exemption.

An attractive salary and benefits package is part of TNC’s value proposition to our employees. TNC strives to provide competitive pay and bases salaries on the geographic location of the role committing to being equitable across groups and providing hiring salary ranges when possible.

Since we support flexible and remote work for our employees, many positions have a flexible location within countries where we’re registered as a Non-government Organization and established as an employer. This may mean we’re unable to provide a hiring salary range in the posting for some of our positions. However, candidates invited to be part of our interview process will be provided their location specific range upon request.