Position Announcement
Still River Watershed Connections Crew Leader
Summary:
The Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated individual to lead a small crew of young people on environmental restoration work in the summer of 2020.
About HVA:
HVA is the watershed conservation organization and accredited land trust whose mission is to protect the natural character and environmental health of the Housatonic River Watershed for this and future generations. The Housatonic River Watershed covers nearly 2,000 square miles across western Massachusetts, western Connecticut, eastern New York, and ultimately to Long Island Sound. HVA partners with business and community leaders to achieve its mission through three major programs and associated projects: 1) Land Protection aimed at conserving our most vulnerable natural areas and special places; 2) Watershed Conservation aimed at protecting rivers, streams and drinking water supplies; and 3) Community Education and Events with projects aimed at, among other things, river cleanups, family hikes and paddling events, and publications that reach land use leaders, river users and the public at large. This position is within the Watershed Conservation department.
About the Still River Watershed Connections (“Connections”) Program:
Connections is a youth program focused on the Still River watershed in the Danbury metropolitan area. This program emerged from an ongoing local watershed planning effort to restore water quality in the Still River and its tributaries. The program provides high school students with opportunities to build personal connections to the river and each other by working on restoration projects that improve habitat and water quality in the Still River. In the process students gain exposure to key job skills and careers in environmental science that will ultimately help catalyze future stewardship in their communities. You can find out more about the Still River Watershed Plan and the Connections program on the stillriverwatershed.org website.
Position Description:
The Crew Leader will be responsible for summer program delivery throughout the summer of 2020. Specific restoration projects may include, but are not be limited to: invasive plant management; riparian buffer plantings; water quality sampling; trail maintenance; stream health data collection and GPS mapping. This program has three goals that the Crew Leader will be responsible for: 1) Implementation of the Still River Watershed Plan; 2) Environmental education and career development for the youth in the program; and 3) Public outreach about the program and Still River Watershed Planning efforts. At the end of the season, the Crew Leader will help the crew design and execute a presentation to the community about the work they’ve accomplished.
Program Structure:
This is an 8-week paid position (35 hours/week) from late-June to mid-August. During the first and last week, the Crew Leader will work with HVA staff at our office in Cornwall Bridge, CT on program preparation and wrap-up. The Crew Leader will work directly with the crew for the 6 weeks in between (20 hours/week with the crew members, 15 hours/week for preparation). The Crew Leader works with HVA’s Conservation Projects Manager throughout the season.
Duties:
Ensure the personal safety of crew members
Coordinate with program partners (e.g. Danbury Youth Services, local conservation professionals, town staff) to schedule and implement projects
Plan and execute daily activities
Reinforce positive work etiquette and approve crew members’ time sheets
Ensure group cohesion and harmony
Assist crew members in sharing their knowledge with the public
Public outreach through social media management, infield engagement with the public and engagement with reporters.
Track program impact through data collection and management
Design and deliver environmental education lesson plans both in-field and in classroom (during inclement weather)
Provide guidance to students as they design and deliver a poster session style presentation at the end of the program
Required Experience/Qualifications:
Experience working outdoors with groups of young people (ages 14-19). Examples may include, but are not limited to: outdoor leadership programs, trail maintenance crew, science education, camp experience, etc.
Strong scientific background in environmental science, hydrology, natural resource management, or similar field
Experience working outdoors on restoration projects, trail maintenance, or other related field experience
Enthusiasm for teaching and learning
Excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills
Familiarity using Facebook and Instagram
Valid driver’s license, clean driving record, willingness to drive truck/rental van when necessary
First Aid/CPR training (HVA can help qualified applicants obtain this training)
Desired Qualifications:
Experience planning environmental education activities on a daily and/or weekly basis
Familiarity with the Still River and/or any of the towns in the watershed, which include Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, New Milford, Newtown, and Ridgefield, CT
Spanish and/or Portuguese fluency is a plus
Time and Compensation:
This is a temporary position (35 hours/week for 8 weeks) from late June to mid-August. Exact start date TBD.
Salary Range: $4000 – $5000 stipend
To Apply:
Send cover letter describing interest and qualifications, resume, and contact information for 3 references to Courteny Morehouse (HVA Conservation Projects Manager) at [email protected] for questions about this position email or call 860-672-6678 x108
Position open until filled – Application deadline January 31st
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