WVDEP-DWWM-WQSAS Water Quality Data Management and Field Support VISTA Summer Associate -AmeriCorps

Position Title: Water Quality Data Management and Field Effort Support Review – VISTA Summer Associate

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placement

Site Location:

WVDEP-DWWM-WQSAS

601 57th Street SE, Charleston, WV 25304

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 6/29/2026
• End Date: 9/6/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 hours (Minimum-Time)

Purpose:

• Many areas of the state are underprivileged or of poverty, and our efforts connect to their local goals of clean water and clean environment.
• The project will provide an unbiased perspective from working up-close with WQSAS staff to better serve the citizens of the state from the feedback as elicited.
• Assessment of and entry into database of biological data and specimen collections as from streams across the state of WV.

Description of Duties:

The Summer Associate will focus on capacity-building activities that produce internal planning resources, documentation tools, and community engagement materials. Duties may include compiling labor market research summaries, developing workforce resource inventories, creating community asset maps, organizing environmental data sets, drafting partnership coordination frameworks, designing planning templates and resource guides, and assisting with public-facing informational workshops, outreach campaigns, or site observations. Activities are designed to strengthen host organizations’ capacity, guide long-term workforce and environmental program development, provide tangible connections between planning tools and community needs, and support measurable outcomes in workforce access, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Review of the water quality and aquatic habitat reports as collected by field staff; and subsequent data entry into database. QA/QC of reports as entered into database to confirm accuracy and provide validity for data decisions. Generate reports to management regarding concerns with data as align with agency goals of improving water quality. In collaboration with veteran staff, develop and refine data assessment tools as to benefit the goals of the agency. This role will provide for an accurate understanding of water quality conditions in the state of WV. Receive training on field assessment methods to support field work efforts, but also understand data as collected as relates to office based assessment methods. Participate in field sampling as part of a crew collecting water quality, habitat notes, and aquatic life specimens such as macroinvertebrates and fish. Support field efforts in streams and rivers across the state in varying weather conditions such as rain or heat.

Qualifications:

• Car recommended
• Desired education level: Some College
• Language requirement: English
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve full-time, 35-40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Member will receive a Virtual Member Orientation (VMO) from VISTA on their first day of service.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08
• Living Allowance of $957.46 (taxable) every other week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• Recreational Opportunities
• Professional Development Opportunities

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associate, performance will be evaluated on whether the Summer Associate has completed the required number of hours, whether the Summer Associate has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the Summer Associate 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.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Erin Adams

eadams@conservationlegacy.org

330 Harper Park Drive

Beckley, WV 25801

(304) 860-0578

Host Organization Contact:

Nicholas Murray
nick.s.murray@wv.gov
304-926-0499 (43887) or 304-389-8716 (cell)