Watershed Engagement Coordinator
The Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee and our partners at the Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) is seeking a Watershed Engagement Coordinator to join us as part of service through the 2024-2025 Environmental Careers and Opportunities (ECO) Americorps program through the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).
This service member will serve for 1700 hours starting in September 2024 until August 2025 between both MRBA and UMATR with a focus on providing watershed health and water quality education to local schools on behalf of both organizations, assist in our UMATR regional events, and help us continue to protect and preserve the natural resources of our UMATR rivers.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) and the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers (UMATR) Wild & Scenic Committee are seeking a Watershed Engagement Coordinator to serve within the Missisquoi River Basin with assisting local teachers with education programming in about water quality to local students. We are looking for someone who is passionate about protecting our outdoor spaces, loves the outdoors, and is interested in paddling canoes!
During service you will:
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Assist in MRBA and UMATR educational program, including but not limited to, an afterschool program in Enosburg and programming with middle school students in Montgomery about water quality and watershed health
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Assist in our new emerging MRBA Nursery operations in Orleans County
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Help facilitate public programs with UMATR (public canoe paddles, clean-ups, film festival, and more!)
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Conduct outreach within our watershed and provide access to MRBA and UMATR programs
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Work directly with property owners to implement shoreline and riparian restoration projects
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Visit projects sites with MRBA staff to assist with surveys and design
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Map previous MRBA and UMATR projects through ArcGIS programs
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Implement projects such as tree planting, invasive control in riparian areas, and river clean-ups
Benefits: Living stipend of $26,000, paid bi-weekly throughout 11 months of service
After service completion, eligible for an AmeriCorps Segal Education Award of $7,395
Where: You will be serving communities within the Missisquoi River Basin throughout Franklin and Orleans County, based out of our office space in East Berkshire.
What: This position will be involved in afterschool programming in Enosburg and Montgomery, as well as assistance in field activities such as nursery operation, riparian restoration project, invasive species treatment (particularly focused on Japanese knotweed), river clean-ups, and more. Furthermore, this position has remote work opportunities including mapping of projects and tracking through ArcGIS.
Who: Any college graduate who has a passion for watershed education, water quality, and our outdoor spaces. Experience conducting outreach activities or providing educational programs desired.
When: September 2024 - August 2025, 11 Months, 1700 hours (~40 hours per week)
How to Apply: Applications are accepted until May 10th, 2024.
For more information about the position and MRBA/UMATR host site, download this pdf.
To learn more about the ECO program and to apply, visit the VT DEC Website by clicking the "Apply Here!" button.
The Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild & Scenic Committee and Missisquoi River Basin Association (MRBA) have a long history of hosting ECO Americorps members and supporting the program. These members have made long lasting impacts at our small organizations, and we wouldn't be where we are today without them! Thank you Jimmy Young ('15-'16), Brodie Haenke ('16-'17), Heather Murphy ('17-'18), Jenevra Wetmore ('18-'19), Ranier Lucas ('19-'20), Ari Lattanzi ('20-'21), and Sarah Lunn ('21-'23).
Want to learn more about becoming our Watershed Engagement Coordinator? Please feel free to reach out to our Field Coordinator (and ECO Americorps Alum!) SARAH LUNN for any questions about our ECO previous Americorps members and the upcoming 2024-2025 MRBA and UMATR position. Previous canoe paddling experience not required!