Title: Invasive Plant Management Individual Placement

Positions: 5 positions available

Location: Based out of Washington, DC

Dates of Service: February 17th, 2026 - November 20th, 2026 (40 weeks)

Schedule: Monday – Thursday, 630 am to 5pm, 10 hours/day

Pay: $800/week ($600/stipend + $200/additional benefit) paid biweekly

Status: This is a full-time, temporary 1200-hour AmeriCorps National Service position.

Questions? Contact ACCIPrecruiting@conservationlegacy.org

Applications will be accepted on our website through November 22nd. Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application.

Appalachian Conservation Corps: 

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.  

When joining this AmeriCorps program, participants commit to a term of service at their placement site and in return gain hands-on experience and a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.  

Position Summary:

The Invasive Plant Management Individual Placement is based in Washington, D.C., working directly with the National Capital Region of the National Park Service. This 10-month AmeriCorps position will serve as a member of the Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT). This hands-on opportunity allows youth partners to help protect national parks across the region while building valuable skills in conservation and natural resource management.

 As a member of the IPMT, youth partner will learn how to identify and manage invasive plants species using mechanical and chemical control methods. Training and field work will include herbicide applications using backpack sprayers and gas operated tank sprayers, chainsaws, brush cutters, hand saws, loppers and more!

While this position primarily involves fieldwork, the youth partner may also contribute to office projects, including reviewing scientific literature to identify the most effective control methods for newly detected invasive species, creating internal science briefs on rare vegetation found in parks supported by IPMT, and assisting with the development of other communication materials. 

Beyond invasive plant management, IPs will have opportunities to learn from NPS staff about other aspects of natural resource management, attend NPS-sponsored training, and participate in activities with other resource programs to broaden their knowledge and experience.

During their terms, members will receive training and certifications to be able to identify and treat a variety of invasive plant species. This position is heavily field based and involves frequent travel to parks in the capital region and daily physical activity. 

Housing is NOT provided for this position. We are seeking candidates who are current residents of Washington, D.C. or surrounding metro area.

Benefits: 

• $800/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly 
• $5,176.50 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1200 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college) 
• $120 reimbursement for work boots with receipt, $100 for local ID guides
• Option to enroll in health, vision and dental insurance
• Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions.
• Federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff
• Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist 
• Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered (Chainsaw training, pesticides, etc)
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements 
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths

General Qualifications:

To qualify for this AmeriCorps position, you must be between the ages of 21 and 30, (or 35 if a veteran) and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award.

• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Physically capable of strenuous field activities (hiking, monitoring, survey, testing, etc) for 10 hours in adverse conditions (high heat, high humidity, biting insects, rough terrain, inclement weather)
• Comfortable working in a field and office environment
• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two or four year college degree in a biology-related subject area or related experience
• Familiarity with local plant identification
• A minimum of 3 years of driving experience
• Demonstrated experience in a field environment

How to Apply:

Please submit a resume that highlights any education, work or volunteer experience, skills and trainings that may apply to this position. In addition to your resume, you may submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements.

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.

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 Vanessa Morrison at vmorrison@conservationlegacy.org

Our Promise:

Conservation Legacy is 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.