Link to full job description

Friends of the Verde River is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the Verde River and its watershed through stewardship, habitat restoration, education, and community engagement. The Verde River is one of Arizona’s last free-flowing rivers and supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, recreation, agriculture, and local communities.

Position Title: Restoration Assistant
Slot Type:
Half Time AmeriCorps Slot Type
900 total hours
23 hours per week
40 total weeks
8/17/2026 to 5/31/2026
Reports To: Elaine Nichols
Location: 4855 E Broken Saddle Dr, Cottonwood, AZ 86326

Primary Function/Purpose:
This position will assist the Restoration program of Friends of the Verde River by supporting riparian invasive plant management, erosion reduction, water quality monitoring and wildlife corridor projects. This position would specifically support field-based crew work and community science efforts related to this program.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:
• Support restoration projects including riparian invasive plant removal, upland restoration, water quality monitoring, and wildlife corridors.
• Coordinate and complete quality control for field crew work, including invasive plant monitoring and removal, erosion control monitoring and structure installation, juniper thinning and other related projects.
• Provide field support for crews including chipper maintenance, sprayer maintenance and troubleshooting, herbicide delivery, tech support.
• Coordinate with volunteer community scientists and contract crews on projects including Otter
Spotter, Bioblitz, Gully Busters, bird surveys, vegetation monitoring, water quality monitoring.
• Assist in planning and coordination of restoration volunteer events (MLK Day, Public Lands Day etc.)
• Lead environmental education for community members, events, school field trips, tourists.

Member Benefits:
• Bi-weekly pre-tax living stipend while in service: $720.00
• Segal AmeriCorps Education award after successfully completing service: $3,697.50
• Student loan forbearance and interest repayment for qualifying federal student loans
• Professional development opportunities and training

Qualifications:
• Experience with GIS (specifically ESRI software, ArcGIS online, Fieldmaps etc.)
• Previous field experience supervising or participating on conservation crews
• Herbicide handlers training
• Workspace will be a combination of field-based work with a hybrid office/ occasionally remote arrangement
• Candidates who are local to the Verde Valley or able to relocate are preferred

Qualified individuals with disabilities and those from diverse backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
We provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals upon request.