PMSC AmeriCorps Position Summary and Projected Position Goals
The Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps (PMSC) AmeriCorps Member will serve the residents of Indiana County by supporting environmental stewardship through conservation project implementation, watershed restoration, environmental monitoring, environmental education, community engagement, and public outreach. This position is shared equally between the Indiana County Conservation District (ICCD) and Evergreen Conservancy (EC), with approximately fifty percent of service dedicated to each organization.
The member will assist with watershed restoration projects, abandoned mine drainage (AMD) treatment systems, water quality monitoring, riparian buffer maintenance, environmental education, volunteer engagement, and conservation outreach while helping both organizations strengthen public awareness of natural resource conservation throughout Indiana County.
A significant emphasis of this position is expanding community engagement through digital communications, educational programming, community partnerships, and volunteer involvement. The member will develop outreach materials that communicate the impact of conservation projects while also participating directly in field work, environmental monitoring, restoration activities, and implementation of conservation practices.
The Conservation Coordinator will work closely with Conservation District staff, Evergreen Conservancy staff and volunteers, watershed organizations, educational institutions, municipalities, agricultural producers, community organizations, and the public to improve Indiana County’s natural resources while promoting environmental stewardship and conservation education.
Goals
The PMSC AmeriCorps Member will:
- Support watershed restoration and conservation projects throughout Indiana County.
- Assist with water quality monitoring, environmental assessments, and field investigations.
- Support operation, monitoring, and maintenance of abandoned mine drainage treatment systems.
- Coordinate the planning, production, editing, and publication of one conservation podcast episode each month.
- Develop and distribute one electronic newsletter each month.
- Create and publish at least one social media post each business day across Facebook, Instagram, and additional communication platforms as appropriate.
- Expand organizational communications through additional digital outreach platforms and multimedia content.
- Plan and deliver environmental education programs for youth and adults.
- Manage and expand the Indiana County Teaching and Community Garden, greenhouse, high tunnel, native plant demonstration areas, pollinator habitats, and outdoor conservation education facilities.
- Recruit and engage volunteers in conservation projects and educational initiatives.
- Support watershed associations and conservation partners throughout Indiana County.
- Coordinate Evergreen Conservancy’s Plastic Film Recycling Program.
- Assist with grant implementation, project documentation, and community outreach.
Outcome Measurements
Performance will be measured using the following criteria:
- Number of podcast episodes produced.
- Number of newsletters published.
- Number of social media posts published.
- Growth in communication platforms and audience engagement.
- Number of environmental education programs delivered.
- Number of youth and adults participating in educational programs.
- Number of volunteers engaged in conservation activities.
- Number of community outreach events supported.
- Number of watershed meetings attended.
- Number of water quality monitoring events completed.
- Number of conservation and restoration projects supported.
- Number of riparian buffer inspections completed.
- Participation and growth of the Plastic Film Recycling Program.
- Quality and completion of assigned projects.
- Required Number of Hours Per Week: 37 hours per week on average.
Major Responsibilities and Related Tasks
Watershed Restoration and Conservation Projects
- Assist Indiana County Conservation District and Evergreen Conservancy staff with watershed restoration, abandoned mine drainage (AMD), streambank stabilization, riparian buffer, habitat improvement, agricultural conservation, and other natural resource conservation projects throughout Indiana County.
- Participate in field investigations, project inspections, environmental assessments, construction oversight, and project implementation activities.
- Assist with conservation project planning, implementation, documentation, and reporting.
- Support grant-funded conservation initiatives from planning through project completion.
- Perform GPS data collection, field measurements, surveying assistance, and other technical field work as assigned.
- Assist staff with conservation practices, demonstrations, educational projects, and special initiatives that improve water quality and natural resources.
Water Quality Monitoring
- Conduct water quality sampling and monitoring throughout Indiana County.
- Collect field measurements and water quality samples following established protocols.
- Monitor, inspect, maintain, download, and interpret data from Evergreen Conservancy’s in-stream monitoring network.
- Conduct routine inspections and monitoring of abandoned mine drainage treatment systems, including Lucerne 3A, Tanoma, Bear Run, Cessna, and future restoration projects.
- Assist with biological assessments, watershed evaluations, and environmental monitoring activities.
- Assist with data management, reporting, and interpretation of monitoring results.
Communications and Public Outreach
- Coordinate the planning, production, editing, and publication of one conservation podcast episode each month.
- Develop, write, design, and distribute one electronic conservation newsletter each month.
- Create and publish at least one social media post each business day highlighting conservation projects, educational opportunities, volunteers, partner organizations, and environmental stewardship.
- Expand organizational communications through additional digital platforms and emerging technologies.
- Develop photography, video, graphics, and multimedia content documenting conservation projects, educational activities, and organizational initiatives.
- Maintain and update website content for both organizations.
- Assist with press releases, promotional materials, educational publications, annual reports, and public information campaigns.
- Promote organizational programs, volunteer opportunities, grants, educational events, and conservation accomplishments.
Environmental Education and Community Engagement
- Develop and deliver environmental education programs for schools, youth organizations, municipalities, agricultural producers, community organizations, and the public.
- Represent ICCD and Evergreen Conservancy at community events, fairs, workshops, conferences, educational programs, and partner meetings.
- Develop educational displays, exhibits, interpretive materials, and outreach resources.
- Recruit, organize, and coordinate volunteers participating in conservation projects, educational initiatives, and community service activities.
- Assist with planning and implementation of community events, volunteer workdays, stream cleanups, tree plantings, educational workshops, and other conservation activities.
Teaching Garden, Greenhouse, and Outdoor Conservation Education Center
- Coordinate the seasonal planning, maintenance, and operation of the Indiana County Teaching and Community Garden and associated outdoor learning facilities.
- Manage greenhouse and high tunnel operations, including seasonal crop production, plant propagation, irrigation, facility maintenance, and educational demonstrations.
- Coordinate planting, maintenance, harvesting, and educational use of raised garden beds.
- Establish and maintain pollinator meadows, native plant demonstration gardens, rain gardens, pollinator habitat, and other conservation landscapes.
- Assist with tree, shrub, and native vegetation plantings that support wildlife habitat, pollinator conservation, stormwater management, and environmental education.
- Develop educational programming and interpretive materials related to gardening, composting, native plants, pollinator habitat, healthy soils, sustainable agriculture, local food systems, water conservation, and environmental stewardship.
- Coordinate volunteers, schools, community organizations, and partner agencies participating in garden and outdoor education activities.
- Assist with distribution of produce, native plants, seeds, and educational materials to community partners when appropriate.
- Maintain garden equipment, irrigation systems, greenhouse facilities, high tunnel infrastructure, tools, and other outdoor education facilities.
- Identify opportunities to expand the Teaching Garden and Outdoor Conservation Education Center through demonstration projects, partnerships, grants, and volunteer initiatives.
Watershed Partnerships and Volunteer Support
- Attend monthly meetings of watershed associations, Trout Unlimited chapters, conservation organizations, and other partner meetings.
- Provide project updates and coordinate volunteer participation.
- Assist with developing partnerships with Indiana University of Pennsylvania, schools, municipalities, conservation organizations, community groups, and volunteers.
- Support volunteer recruitment, retention, and recognition initiatives.
- Promote community involvement in watershed restoration and environmental stewardship activities.
- Complete Riparian buffer plantings and maintenance when applicable.
Evergreen Conservancy Plastic Film Recycling Program
- Coordinate and manage Evergreen Conservancy’s Plastic Film Recycling Program.
- Promote the program through community education and outreach.
- Maintain community collection locations.
- Collect, transport, and prepare plastic film materials for recycling.
- Coordinate volunteers assisting with the program.
- Maintain participation records and identify opportunities to increase community participation.
General Conservation Support
- Attend staff meetings, trainings, conferences, and professional development opportunities.
- Assist with grant implementation, reporting, and documentation.
- Support District and Evergreen Conservancy staff with special projects as assigned.
- Perform additional conservation-related service activities consistent with the goals of the Pennsylvania Mountain Service Corps and AmeriCorps.
Academic Requirement
High School Diploma or GED required.
Associate’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Education, Biology, Ecology, Forestry, Wildlife, Agriculture, Agronomy, Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Education, Geography, Parks and Recreation, Sustainability, Journalism, or a related field is preferred.
Experience Requirement
Preferred qualifications include coursework, volunteer experience, internships, employment, or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following:
- Environmental science or natural resource conservation.
- Watershed restoration and stream conservation.
- Water quality monitoring and environmental field work.
- Environmental education and interpretation.
- Gardening, greenhouse management, sustainable agriculture, or native plant landscaping.
- Community outreach and volunteer coordination.
- Social media, digital communications, or website management.
- Photography, videography, podcast production, graphic design, or other multimedia development.
- GIS, GPS, or mapping applications.
- Public speaking, technical writing, or grant-supported conservation projects.
Strong organizational, written communication, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills are preferred.
Physical Requirements
The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The position requires the ability to:
- Sit, stand, walk, bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and work outdoors over uneven terrain.
- Perform field work in streams, forests, agricultural settings, construction sites, gardens, greenhouses, high tunnels, and other outdoor environments.
- Lift and carry materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Operate computers, cameras, GPS units, tablets, water quality monitoring equipment, hand tools, landscaping equipment, and small power equipment.
- Work safely in varying weather conditions.
- Communicate effectively with coworkers, volunteers, landowners, elected officials, educators, students, and the general public.
- Organize multiple assignments while maintaining attention to detail.
- Work occasional evenings and weekends to support educational programs, volunteer events, meetings, and community outreach activities.
- Possess a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel throughout Indiana County.
Host Site Training
The AmeriCorps Member will receive orientation and training in:
- Host Site orientation and organizational policies and procedures.
- Indiana County Conservation District and Evergreen Conservancy programs and services.
- Safety procedures, equipment operation, and field safety practices.
- Water quality monitoring procedures and sampling protocols.
- Abandoned mine drainage treatment system operation and maintenance.
- Greenhouse, high tunnel, Teaching and Community Garden, and outdoor conservation education facility operations and maintenance.
- Position-specific software, equipment, and organizational procedures.
- Additional on-the-job instruction, mentoring, and professional development opportunities throughout the service term as appropriate.
