Conservation Associate

Background Information: The Van Buren Conservation District (VBCD) is seeking to hire one full-time (40 hours per week) Conservation Associate to further the mission of the Van Buren Conservation District. The Associate is responsible for providing program support for the Van Buren Conservation District across its Ag & Water Quality Team, CISMA Team, and Resource Recovery Team.

The Ag & Water Quality Team supports landowners and residents of Van Buren County by providing technical assistance, outreach, and education on a variety of conservation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable land management practices and resources.

The Southwest by Southwest (SWxSW) Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) Team is grant-funded and works collaboratively with the community to minimize the impact of invasive species. Every Michigan county is part of a CISMA, and our service area covers Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. The CISMA Team manages and surveys for invasive species and are the local experts on invasive species for the surrounding community. The Van Buren Conservation District employs the CISMA Team and houses the CISMA program for the tri-county service area.

The Resource Recovery Team is responsible for the VBCD Resource Recovery Program by supporting Van Buren County’s Materials Management Planning, facilitating year-round and one-day event services, managing grants and other funding sources, and providing education.

Position Description: The Associate is an at-will; Regular Full-time; grant, contract, and VBCD millage funded; hourly position, funded through September 30, 2028. The work hours schedule for the Associate during the primary field season (May-September) is 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday - Thursday and 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Friday, including break and meal periods. The work hours schedule for the Associate (October-April) is 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, including break and meal periods. Some occasional evening and weekend hours are necessary. Hours may vary due to workload, weather conditions, and daylight hours.

Wages will be commensurate with education and experience and range from $22 to $24 per hour. Eligible for competitive medical, retirement, flexible work, remote work, and paid time off benefits.

The successful candidate will support the VBCD’s outreach and program efforts. The primary responsibilities include organizing and implementing outreach efforts and events, preparing and distributing educational resources in a variety of digital and print formats, surveying for and managing aquatic and terrestrial invasive species throughout Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties in a variety of field sites, providing educational programs to youth and adults on conservation practices, and assisting the Administrative Team with the annual Tree Seedling Sale and annual publications. The Associate may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the tasks that the employee may be expected to perform.

Field work may involve standing, walking, wading, swimming, kayaking, or snorkeling in lakes, streams, and rivers. Field work may also involve traversing uneven, boggy, or steep terrain in a range of temperatures and conditions. This may require carrying equipment and materials of up to 50 pounds on strenuous hikes and outdoors on hardened surfaces. The Associate must be ready and willing to work in a variety of conditions, as well as travel throughout the entire service area. A truck, trailer, and UTV will be provided for navigating to and through sites, as available.

Training will be provided by VBCD staff and other partner trainers, as appropriate.

Position Supervisor: Van Buren Conservation District Executive Director

Location: Report to the Van Buren Conservation District office (1035 E Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079) each work day. Travel will occasionally be required for work performed throughout the CISMA tri-county area of Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties. Travel may occasionally be required for work outside of the tri-county area. Vehicles are provided for travel, as available. Associates are not eligible for remote work. This does not apply if there is a government emergency declaration requiring people to work remotely.

Position Start Date: November 16, 2026 (negotiable)

Essential Functions:

Administrative Team Functions (approximately 35%)

• Design, edit, produce, and distribute engaging educational and promotional content in a variety of physical and digital communication formats (e.g. in-person, website, digital and print newsletters, social media, mailings, brochures, short and long-form videos) according to VBCD Brand Guidelines
• Prepare the annual Food, Farm, & Fun Guide publication, including contacting advertisers, designing, and facilitating distribution
• Assist with the preparation of the VBCD Annual Report, including gathering content details and photos from staff, designing, and distributing
• Coordinate and promote twice annual Volunteer Water Monitoring events
• Implement and improve outreach strategies to educate the community about natural resource topics and VBCD programs. Outreach planning includes identifying audiences, developing key messages, creating materials, implementing outreach activities, and evaluating outcomes.
• Assist Administrative Team with planning, coordinating, and implementing VBCD events, such as Annual Meeting and Tree Seedling Sale
• Prepare and lead public workshops and presentations on various conservation topics to youth and adult audiences
• Participate in, support, and represent the VBCD at community events (e.g. farmers markets, Earth Day events, partner events, municipal meetings)
• Identify and apply for grant opportunities to fund programs, including supplies, employee time, and/or employee training
• Organize and maintain the VBCD’s physical and digital inventory of publications, brochures, handouts, multimedia, and other promotional and educational resources

CISMA Team Functions (approximately 30%)

• Survey for target invasive plants and insects
• Survey roadsides for terrestrial high-priority invasive plants such as cinnamon vine, kudzu, stiltgrass, Phragmites, and Japanese knotweed
• Kayak ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, and other water bodies to conduct surveys and collect invasive aquatic plant or invertebrate specimens
• Wade in ponds, streams, lakes, and drains (waders will be provided)
• Snorkel inland lakes to collect aquatic plant specimens
• Use ArcGIS pro, FieldMaps, Survey123, and/or Google Sheets to accurately and completely record data while out in the field or in the office
• Obtain and/or maintain Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator certifications in Categories 2, 5, or 6 for the duration of employment (paid for by employer, if needed)
• Treat invasive species through chemical (i.e. pesticide) or mechanical means using backpack sprayers, brush cutters, etc.
• Mix and apply herbicide to Watch List invasive plants
• Operate cutting tools or small-engine equipment such as loppers or brush cutters to manage invasive shrubs
• Install and check spotted lanternfly circle traps. This will require handling insects, arachnids, and frogs.
• Deploy and check minnow traps at lakes to survey for invasive crayfish. This will require handling crayfish and other animals. (pending funding)
• Determine necessary supplies and equipment before visiting a site
• Drive UTV to survey for invasive plants
• Clean, maintain, and keep track of equipment and supplies
• Conduct invasive species management using best management practices
• Follow protocols for decontamination, pesticide safety, and equipment safety
• Communicate with partners and the public on invasive species in the field and at events
• Drive UTV with supplies/equipment through large sites

Recycling Team Functions (approximately 20%)

• Assist with packing supplies for Recycling Collection Events
• Support annual Recycle Roundup collections
• Deliver and collect supplies and materials for year-round recycling programs
• Assist with educational programs for a variety of audiences at various locations
• Ensure accuracy and thoroughness of data collection at events
• Update contact lists and internal tracking tools by making phone calls and sending professional emails
• Follow protocols for high standards for efficiency, quality control, safety, compliance, and effectiveness
• Utilize tools such as Google Sheets to record data
• Keep Materials Management Project Manager informed of ongoing projects, needs, and accomplishments
• Collaborate with the Materials Management Project Manager to implement outreach and education programming to achieve program goals
• Design and distribute educational and promotional materials in collaboration with the Project Manager for a variety of audiences and topics (e.g. social media posts, newsletter drafts, handouts)
• Inspect drop-off recycling centers for program compliance and document findings
• Clean, maintain, and re-organize equipment and supplies
• Obtain and maintain 24-hour HAZWOPER certification

Ag & Water Quality Team Functions (approximately 15%)

• Assist with planning, coordinating, and implementing events, such as Farming for the Future Conference and on-farm outreach events
• Update and maintain mailing and contact lists
• Invite farmers and producers to outreach events
• Coordinate direct mailings to farmers, producers, sponsors, etc.
• Collaborate with the Ag & Water Quality Team to develop, edit, and produce written and visual materials to educate about agricultural conservation practices (e.g. short and long-form videos, podcasts, social media posts, newsletters)
• Interview farmers, producers, technical staff and produce engaging educational content in a variety of formats
• Prepare grant-required report materials, as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

• An educational background and/or work experience in natural resource management, biology, or ecology
• Experience creating and distributing educational and promotional materials in a variety of physical and digital formats
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Strong time management skills
• Strong organizational, recordkeeping, and task prioritization skills
• Strong public speaking skills
• Ability to work well within a team
• Ability to make decisions in accordance with policies and procedures
• Ability to conduct customer service at a professional level
• Ability to communicate with groups of diverse size and demographics through various mediums in English
• One or more seasons of relevant field experience
• Basic understanding of plant identification
• Reliable transportation to the office, field sites, and other off-site locations
• Ability to work occasional nights and weekends
• Valid driver’s license

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient in Google Workspace
• Photography skills and videography skills (i.e. planning, capturing, editing)
• Ability to navigate on water from a vessel
• Experience snorkeling in inland lakes
• Ability to navigate off-trail, execute transect paths while managing or surveying for invasive species using a compass & map and/or GPS unit
• Ability to identify some native and invasive plant and/or insect species of the Midwest
• Knowledge of or experience with Michigan agriculture
• Knowledge of or experience with resource recovery/recycling/waste management
• Experience mixing and applying herbicide using a backpack sprayer
• Experience with data recording, managing, and tracking
• Experience using ArcGIS, FieldMaps, or Survey123
• Current Commercial Pesticide Applicator certification Categories 2, 5, 3B, or 6
• Experience operating and maintaining a brush cutter
• Experience towing and maneuvering a hitched trailer
• Experience driving a UTV
• First Aid, Wilderness Safety, or other similar certification(s)

Physical Requirements:

• Able to work outdoors in all kinds of weather, often for most of the workday
• Able to wade through streams and drains wearing waders
• Able to kayak on rivers and lakes wearing proper safety vests
• Able to swim
• Able to snorkel
• Able to walk on trails and uneven ground
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds
• Able to walk 2-6 miles a day
• Able to handle insects, arachnids, and macroinvertebrates
• Able to effectively communicate in English
• Able to visually and auditorily identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to fieldwork
• Able to work at work station for extended periods of time
• Ability to utilize office and computer equipment
• Able to go between offices to meet customers for assistance
• Able to bend over to access files and tools
• Able to visually survey outdoor areas for plant identification

To Apply: Interested applicants must submit: a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcripts (if applicable), and a list of three (3) references (all documents must be in PDF form) to: info@VanBurenCD.org or mail to: Van Buren Conservation District, 1035 E Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, MI 49079. If submitting these materials via email, use the subject line “[last name] 2026 Associate Application”.

Deadline to Apply: October 18, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Interviews will be held November 2-4.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Van Buren Conservation District is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. VBCD programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. The VBCD collectively acknowledges that its offices and gatherings occupy the ancestral, traditional and contemporary Lands of the Council of the Three Fires – the Ojibwe, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi, ceded in multiple historic treaties. Through this acknowledgement, we recognize, support and advocate for the sovereignty of Michigan’s twelve federally-recognized Indian nations, and for historic Indigenous communities and individuals. The VBCD is committed to our obligations to those communities. The process of knowing and acknowledging the land we stand on is a way of honoring and expressing gratitude for the ancestral people who stewarded this land before us and their descendants who steward this land today.

Pay: $22.00 - $24.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40.0 per week

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan

Language:

• English (Preferred)

Shift availability:

• Day Shift (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Paw Paw, MI 49079 (Preferred)

Willingness to travel:

• 25% (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $22 - $24