Position: Washington Climate Corps Palouse Biochar Program “Architect” (Service Project Participant)

Days/Hours of Service: Generally for full time, ~40 hours/week, M-F,  8-4 PM. However, there is some flexibility as long as all service period/hours requirements can be realistically met (see following). Hybrid work option available for some service work outside busy fieldwork seasons.

Location: Pullman, Washington (office/meeting location), with field work throughout the Palouse region

Service Period: September 2025 - August 2026 (start and end date somewhat flexible, but must serve a period of approximately 12 months / 1700 hours).

Full/Part Time: Full-time equivalent (~40 hours per week, 1700 total), three quarter time equivalent (~30 hours per week avg., 1200 total), or half-time equivalent (~20 hrs per week avg., 900 hours total)

Compensation: Competitive Washington Climate Corps monthly living allowance, plus education award upon completing service hours (see following)

Program Benefits: 

• Living allowance totalling about $2300 per month (~$1150 every two weeks)
• Education award of over $7000 to be used towards student debt, current tuition or materials costs, student housing, or other eligible education costs.
• Student loan forbearance and Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• Extensive paid training in topics such as ecological management, biochar production, data collection, and principles of ecology, biology, and environmental science
• Priority for Phoenix Conservancy and partner employment opportunities after service
• Free health insurance coverage available
• Personal and holiday time off
• Housing and food assistance (if eligible)
• Childcare assistance (if eligible)

Program Description:

The Phoenix Conservancy’s Palouse Biochar Initiative seeks to establish biochar production in the Palouse region of Washington and Idaho as a holistic, nonpartisan, community-based climate mitigation and economic solution. The project’s central focus is converting waste biomass (including brush, yard waste, and agricultural residues) into a high-value soil ameliorant that conserves water, improves soil health, and sequesters carbon in soils for centuries. Biochar offers a promising “circular economy” solution to using large amounts of organic waste that would otherwise be pile burned or left to rot, both resulting in increased methane and carbon dioxide offgassing. In addition to offering direct disposal services for rural residents, the project will also offer free training to rural landowners on producing and using biochar as an agricultural commodity. 

Biochar refers to high-carbon residues created by heating biomass–such as agricultural waste or lawn clippings–in an anoxic environment through a process called pyrolysis. These char residues are highly porous, have extremely high surface area per volume, and are very slow to decompose, remaining in soil for 50-1,000+ years. As a result of this porous structure, biochar has an extensive list of benefits for soils, including: increased microbial activity, organic matter content, and crop nutrient uptake; reduced nutrient leaching and run-off; improved soil moisture retention; and neutralized soil acidity. These properties have made biochar an increasingly popular commodity for agricultural producers, but its relatively high cost (est. $3,000-5,000 per acre) has hampered its widespread use, particularly in large-scale operations. 

By making local biochar available and training rural communities in its production, this project will directly benefit small-scale farmers of the Palouse. The Palouse is one of the poorest regions in Washington State, and local farmers face numerous challenges that can be directly addressed with biochar, including soil degradation, acidification from decades of fertilizer application, and increasing climate-related pressures such as drought and flooding. The project is designed to empower these farmers with the tools, knowledge, and incentives to adopt climate-smart practices, helping to ensure the long-term sustainability of their operations and the local economy. By promoting biochar production, TPC also supports environmental justice, as the project helps alleviate the economic burdens faced by underserved agricultural communities. The initiative aligns with efforts to restore the local ecosystem, conserve water resources, and create a more resilient agricultural system. 

The Palouse Biochar Initiative will thus address the following objectives to combat climate change through supporting local farmers: 

• Introduce farmers to biochar as a sustainable, low-tech solution for soil improvement and climate change mitigation. 
• Support local farmers in producing and applying biochar to their lands to increase water retention, reduce nutrient leaching, and improve crop yields.
• Sequester atmospheric carbon by converting waste biomass into a stable form that enriches the soil.
• Foster local economic development by providing a new revenue stream through the sale of biochar.

Service Location Description:

The incredibly diverse prairie that once dominated the rolling hills of the Palouse has been almost completely eradicated, with less than 1% remaining (Noss et al. 1995, Lichthardt and Mosley 1997). Restoring the endangered Palouse Prairie is crucial to prevent losses in biodiversity and ecosystem services, such as crop pollination, that support the sustainability and resilience of local communities. As is the case with many endangered ecosystems, Palouse Prairie restoration is limited by the availability of public land, plant materials, and funding; but perhaps more so by a lack of public awareness of the diverse prairie that once existed.

Rural and agricultural communities in the Palouse face steep challenges from severe soil erosion, and increasing drought and other severe weather events. 

Position Description:

Architects will focus on three principal activities as part of the Palouse Biochar Initiative: Mobile Biochar Demonstration and Training, Community Feedstock Dropoff and Workshops, and Biochar Production and Processing. 

Mobile Biochar Demonstration and Training:

To maximize accessibility of services to local residents, Architects will direct and train residents through TPC’s mobile biochar training services. This novel service will allow interested landowners to schedule a biochar demonstration training anywhere in rural Whitman County. The landowner will provide biomass feedstock, while TPC will provide the necessary equipment (e.g. mobile biochar kilns, PPE, tools) and training on biochar production and use. Depending on the amount and nature of the feedstock used, a full demonstration can convert biomass to biochar at an approximate 3:1 ratio, allowing landowners to dispose of up to 3 cubic yards of waste biomass while producing one cubic yard of usable biochar (40% of the resulting biochar produced during each demonstration will be left with the landowner for their use, while the remaining 60% will be retained by TPC to cover costs). While TPC personnel conduct the physical demonstration, Architects will deliver training content to landowners. This will include producing handouts and written materials to leave with landowners, providing interpretive training as the demonstration is taking place, and answering landowner questions throughout the process. To the extent allowable by WCCN agreements, members will also assist with operating biochar kilns and processing biochar. 

Community Feedstock Dropoff and Workshops:

For community members with a relatively small amount of waste biomass, Architects will operate a station at TPC’s field site near the town of Palouse, WA for community members to drop off waste biomass for free on designated days and times. This service will provide residents an alternative for disposing of smaller amounts of biomass, while supplying a regular source of biochar feedstock for ongoing biochar production. In addition to providing alternate waste disposal services, this station will also serve as an initial point of contact for Palouse residents to learn about and purchase local biochar through regular on-site demonstrations and workshops. Architects will oversee the launch and operation of this service, processing and storing biomass for future biochar production while recording data on community use and feedstock characteristics. 

Biochar Production and Processing:

As conditions and permitting allow, feedstock accumulated previously and throughout the project period will be converted to biochar at TPC’s field site by Architects. Members will receive in-depth training on safely operating TPC’s biochar kilns, permitting requirements, and processing biochar as an agricultural commodity. Through these main activities, Architects will participate in all stages of basic biochar production, providing members with valuable experience in a rapidly-growing, sustainable global industry. Architect service through the Palouse Biochar Initiative will also directly provide a host of tangible immediate and long-term benefits to Palouse residents, foster the growth and development of a local conservation nonprofit, and establish novel, sustainable economic opportunity in the region. Perhaps the greatest potential of this project, however, is advancing a pragmatic climate project that does not rely on ideological agreement. Many Palouse farmers and rural residents remain highly skeptical of climate change as an urgent threat, and are rarely supportive of climate-centered efforts; however, by focusing on pragmatic benefits of biochar as a soil ameliorant that stretches soil moisture farther and improves crop yields, TPC has been able to largely sidestep ideological clashes and work towards a common solution. With WCCN support, we believe strongly in small-scale, rural biochar production’s potential.

Biochar architects will participate in related in-field training sessions, including restoration planning, installation and maintenance protocols, and field safety. Architects will also receive training to build valuable skills for working in conservation, restoration, and related science careers. These include principles of ecological management, biochar production, data collection, project planning, technical report writing, environmental science principles, verbal and written communication, and effective teamwork. Biochar architects may also have opportunities to assist with project development with The Phoenix Conservancy's national-scale project (Great Plains prairie) and global-scale project (Madagascar rainforest).

Responsibilities and Related Tasks:

Biochar architects will be trained and directly supervised by The Phoenix Conservancy's Palouse Prairie Restoration Manager. Orientation and training will take place over the first month of service and will engage members in hands-on training sessions. Members will be responsible for attending weekly team meetings and quarterly individual meetings to discuss progress and planning for the following week. Biochar architects’ duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Independently studying training materials and participating in team planning
• Conducting mobile biochar trainings and demonstrations to local residence
• Coordinating and executing community waste biomass dropoffs 
• Processing and storing waste biomass for future biochar production
• Recording data on community biomass use and feedstock characteristics
• Participating in all stages of biochar production
• Ensuring effective and efficient execution of assigned activities in a timely manner
• Responding to constructive feedback from the supervisor and teammates
• Working effectively and respectfully as part of a collaborative team
• Maintaining a positive, strong work ethic 
• Demonstrating competence in protocols, including in biochar production, data collection, field safety, fire safety, and communication
• Complying with all TPC policies outlined in the Employee Handbook

Required Qualifications:

• Moderate to strong verbal and written communication, preferably in field work, materials science, or a similar context
• Demonstrated ability to receive and incorporate constructive feedback
• 1+ years experience working OR 2+ years volunteering in environmental science, engineering, chemistry, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience working for prolonged periods in the outdoors
• Working knowledge of chemistry, environmental science, or natural history
• A passion for conservation, restoration, environmental science, socio- environmental justice, or similar causes
• Demonstrated experience reading scientific literature or scientific resources
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‐paced environment and work well as part of a team
• Must be willing to be located in the greater Palouse region (i.e. Pullman, WA; Moscow, ID; or associated area)
• Proven commitment to personal growth and understanding concepts of racial diversity, equity and inclusion

Desired Qualifications:

• 1+ years education or experience in environmental science, materials science, engineering, chemistry, physics, or a related field
• 1+ years experience working outdoors (e.g., in environmental research, conducting controlled burns, construction, or an outdoor sport)
• Knowledge of agricultural concepts, such as soil health and composting
• Working knowledge of pyrolysis, especially thermal decomposition
• Experience operating hand and power tools, pyrolysis kilns, and other mechanical equipment.
• Experience in fire safety
• BS or higher in an environmental, engineering, or similar field
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills
• Experience working for or volunteering with a nonprofit organization