Position Title: WV Rural Engagement Ambassador for Development and Youth (WV Ready) – AmeriCorps Member at New River Gorge

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
104 Main Street; Glen Jean, WV 25846

Terms of Service: 32 week AmeriCorps Service Member position

• Start Date: 05/11/2026
• End Date: 12/18/2026
• Application Deadline: 04/05/2026
• Number of Positions Available: 1
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 Hours
  
  

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. The West Virginia Rural Engagement Ambassadors for Development and Youth (WV READY) is a new collaborative AmeriCorps program sponsored by Stewards Individual Placements. Stewards, in partnership with Volunteer WV, and local community organizations such as New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, is serving to support WV’s transition to eco-tourism, outdoor recreation, and increasing outdoor accessibility.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (NERI) was established in 1978 to conserve and interpret the outstanding natural, scenic, and cultural resources in and around the New River Gorge and to preserve this portion of the New River in West Virginia as a free-flowing stream for the recreation and enjoyment of present and future generations.

The WV Rural Engagement Ambassador for Development and Youth (WV Ready) AmeriCorps Member at New River Gorge National Park & Preserve (NERI) will identify, map, and assess conditions and use levels of rock-climbing areas, hiking trails, and vistas along cliff lines in New River Gorge. The Member will analyze this information and develop recommendations for improved access and facilities, restoration, and resource protection. These recommendations will support development of a new management plan for these sites as well as funding proposals to implement recommended actions.

Description of Duties:

To achieve the goals of this WV Ready position, the member will:

• · Map and record information on existing rock-climbing access trails, staging areas, hiking trails, scenic vistas, and social trails.
• · Coordinate with local rock climbing and trail user groups and organizations to gather information about visitor use levels and how existing recreational conditions and experiences compare to desired conditions and experiences
• · Observe and record the presence and condition of natural resources along cliff lines, including rare plants, lichens, plant communities, salamanders, woodrats, and bats
• · Produce a summary report with recommendations

o How NPS Managers could improve visitor access and facilities

o How NPS Managers could protect natural, cultural, and scenic resources

o Recommend where restoration may be needed to correct overuse and unauthorized activities

o Identify opportunities and locations for educational messaging that encourages sustainable low-impact visitation of cliff habitats

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Able to commit to 32 weeks of service
• · Willing to serve in West Virginia, West Virginia resident preferred
• · Bachelor’s Degree in Outdoor Recreation, Biology, Natural Resources, or related field OR Associate’s Degree plus one or more years of relevant experience.
• · Ability to drive with current license and insurable background

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• · Comfort working and navigating in backcountry forested areas with steep terrain
• · Familiarity with rock-climbing and related terminology
• · Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• · Professional communication skills: written, presentation, and public speaking
• · Familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite, especially Outlook, Excel, and Forms
• · Experience using GPS and other mobile devices to collect data
• · Experience/familiarity with trail maintenance and/or trail construction
• · Passion for outdoor recreation and conservation
• · Open-minded and collaborative spirit
• · Ability and willingness to work actively outdoors for several hours
• · Valid West Virginia Driver’s License

Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, 8:00 to 4:30, Monday – Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term
  
  

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Member will receive training on Community Asset Mapping (CAM)
• Training on how to collect and manage tabular and spatial field data using GPS units, tablets, digital cameras, spreadsheets, and GIS
• Field training from NPS biologists, ecologists, and biological science technicians
• Field training on assessing trail conditions and visitor impacts

Benefits:

Although each WV READY Member’s project will look different depending on host site needs, they will still be able to lean on a cohort-style model for support, shared experiences, and professional development. Ideal candidates for this initiative are young adults looking to build a career and be a part of this larger movement in the Mountain State! Additional benefits include:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
• Living Allowance of $600 per week
• · Receive tuition and fee waivers at West Virginia institutions of higher education

o Learn how to maximize your education award in West Virginia!

• · Paid Training & Professional Development
• · Access to all member and alumni benefits of Conservation Legacy
• · Opportunity to make a HUGE impact on your community
• · Service opportunities can help propel your career forward with intentional experience and professional connections
  
  

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Application, Resume and Cover Letter:
When uploading and attaching your resume to this application, please also upload and attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, please note your interest and qualifications in this position.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:
Susie Schroer
Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator
sschroer@conservationlegacy.org
970-317-9131

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.