WV Ecological Restoration Crew Leader South Zone Monongahela

WV Ecological Restoration Crew Leader South Zone Monongahela What We Can Achieve Together

The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia (TNC) operates an Ecological Restoration Team (ERT). 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 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 Ecological Restoration Crew Leader is responsible for managing a three‑person crew working to safely and effectively restore forests and streams throughout the Monongahela National Forest. Restoration work will include red spruce restoration, by way of releasing sapling spruce from hardwood competition, as well as restoration of aquatic habitat for native trout populations and other species that depend on healthy and functional mountain streams.

Stream restoration will involve using chainsaws and rigging equipment to place woody debris in waterways to help restore their natural state by improving habitat structure and complexity. The Ecological Restoration Team may assist Monongahela National Forest staff with preparation of units for prescribed fire as well as monitor for fire effects. 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.

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.

The crew leader will help steer on‑the‑ground conservation goals through partnership with the Monongahela National Forest. The crew leader is responsible for management of a small crew including training, maintaining crew morale, adhering to project deadlines, and developing crew work plans. The crew leader will spend roughly 50% of their time conducting tree release of red spruce saplings from hardwood competition using herbicide, 30% adding large woody material to streams to improve aquatic organism habitat, 5% mapping and monitoring restoration outcomes, 5% building job skills and career development, and 10% completing managerial tasks like performance reviews, expense reporting, and building crew member skills.

• Foster a collaborative team environment strongly rooted in equity and inclusivity.
• Train crew members on essential job skills.
• Create crew work plans that adhere to project deadlines and ensure a safe, effective, and efficient work schedule.
• Work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances.
• Work collaboratively as a team and occasionally independently within the above conditions.
• Maintain hand tools, power tools and other equipment in working condition.
• Requires considerable physical exertion and/or muscular strain.
• Requires occasional overnight travel; travel expenses will be covered.

West Virginia is searching for individuals that want to have a direct impact by advancing our restoration work in the field. If you are looking to work outdoors, are interested in Appalachian ecology, 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 can think on your feet in changing conditions, foster strong relationships, and want to grow your career in natural resource management, then you are right for our team.

BIPOC and/or LGBTQ+, women, and West Virginians are all strongly encouraged to apply.

• AS/Technical or Vocational Degree in a science‑related field and 1year of relevant coursework or related…