River Restoration Programs Assistant The Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) seeks a part-time, seasonal (20 hours/week from April to October) River Restoration Programs Assistant to provide field and facility support for our organization. This non-exempt position will participate in the organization’s restoration, education, and recreation work by providing logistical and hands-on support; leading and/or assisting with educational boat tours, volunteer restoration events, and field studies; and helping store, maintain, and ensure the safe use of materials and equipment. Specific tasks may include: providing meaningful watershed education and recreational experiences and interpretation to students, youth, and adults of all ages; wetland plantings, mussel monitoring, tree plantings, watering, and maintenance; water quality monitoring; landscaping, mowing, and other tasks as assigned. This position is a member of the River Restoration Programs team, works directly with the Director of River Restoration Programs, and works collaboratively across the organization.
The River Restoration Programs Assistant is an integral part of the organization and will be an exciting opportunity to contribute to the watershed’s restoration and the engagement of diverse communities, partners, and other stakeholders to deliver on our mission to protect and restore the Anacostia River and its watershed by bringing partners and communities together to achieve a clean and safe Anacostia River for the benefit of all living in its watershed and for future generations.
About the Anacostia Watershed Society Since its founding in 1989, the Anacostia Watershed Society has worked to attend to the environmental needs of the Anacostia River and its watershed communities. Over the past 30 years, AWS has grown and developed from a small group of concerned individuals into an award-winning $3 million non-profit that is deeply involved in a cause that affects many different communities within the 176 square mile region of the Washington, D.C. metro area.
As part of its mission, the Anacostia Watershed Society is invested in local areas, working with schools and students throughout Washington, D.C. and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties, engaging them in an experience that educates them through hands-on service and allows them to play a part in the continuing improvement of the Anacostia Watershed. In addition, AWS serves as a voice for the river; advocating for and actively involving itself in policies, actions, and programs that protect its ecological health, improve water quality, and work to mitigate the negative effects of stormwater, bacteria, and trash.
Throughout AWS’s existence, much progress has been made. The river has been subjected to heavy pollution for centuries and considered unfit for fishing and swimming for decades. It was once littered with trash and the wetlands had been almost entirely destroyed. With the work of AWS and help from others, we are now at a point where it is possible to look away from past devastation and focus on the future. The organization works towards a “Waterway to 2025” and envisions a future where the river is swimmable and fishable by 2025.
Key Accountabilities: 1. Prepare for, equip, assist, and/or lead safe recreational events (i.e. canoe and pontoon boat trips) and
interpret wildlife and history along the river. 2. Prepare for, equip, support, and/or attend volunteer restoration and educational events (i.e. plantings, trash cleanups, mussel monitoring, water quality monitoring, tree maintenance and watering, and field assessment). 3. Assist with the coordination, implementation, and safe use of equipment, tools, nursery and landscaping
tasks in support of programs and volunteer initiatives. 4. Participate in other special projects, organization-wide efforts, and tasks as assigned.
Key Requirements:
- Interest and/or experience in community engagement, enthusiastic for and comfortable in the
outdoors, and demonstrated knowledge, commitment, and passion for environmental sustainability.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including persuasive and effective communication that
forwards the purpose and mission of the organization; familiarity with use of computers and the internet.
- Ability to work with and provide excellent customer service to people of all ages, especially experience
working in a metropolitan area.
- Self-motivation, innovation, resourcefulness, and cooperative team player in doing whatever it takes to
get the job done well.
- Boating and paddling experience strongly preferred. Comfort on the water and in the field required.
- General trade skills such as landscaping, irrigation, basic carpentry, driving a pickup truck and trailer
small engine and tool maintenance, and facility upkeep skills preferred.
- Willing, motivated, and able to work a flexible schedule that includes frequent evenings and weekends,
work in the field and on the water, often being outside in variable weather, travel, and driving to schools and field sites. Physical work required (i.e. ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds).
- CPR/First Aid Certification desired and a plus.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
- High school diploma and or equivalent experience; demonstrated passion and relevant experience in
environmental learning, land management, or recreation.
- Additional education in natural resource management, environmental science, parks and recreation, or
another environmental/conservation field is a plus, but not a requirement.
- Experience in project logistical support and working with staff and volunteers.
- Experience engaging children/youth and/or adults with experiential learning, and/or community outreach
and engagement is a plus.
- Medium to heavy lifting (such as canoes, kayaks, landscaping material, Shad and Mussel hatcheries, etc.).
- Ability to operate a vehicle; valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
Salary: $17.00-$19.00/hour
Interested applicants should email a résumé formally expressing your interest to askhr@anacostiaws.org.
AWS encourages and embraces diversity.
