Jobs/Internships

Blue Ridge Scout Reservation Camp Conservation Director

General Description:
Primary staff person responsible for developing, managing and implementing the BRMC Scout Reservation's Conservation Programs. The scope of work includes programs across the 16,000 acre Reservation with a focus at Camps Powhatan and Ottari, backcountry camps, and over 100 miles of primitive roads and trails. Job responsibilities are wide-ranging and vary from year-to-year depending on priorities established by the Council's Conservation and Camping Committees. However, primary areas of concern include the following: trail system management, campsite management, and soil conservation and vegetation management (including control of exotic vegetation and hazard trees).

Specific Duties:
1) Trail Management - Assist the Council's Conservation Committee in developing and updating a Trail Management Plan based on a comprehensive inventory of Reservation roads and trails and an assessment of their condition and maintenance needs. Guide implementation of the Trail Management Plan, including the provision of guidance to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of lead staff and workers and adequate documentation and oversight to guide trail work and ensure that implementation follows the prepared prescriptions. Timely preparation of trail maintenance prescriptions and work projects as needed to guide participants on work weekends, OA work projects, and smaller projects that can be completed by summer camp participants in the camps and backcountry. Examples of common work projects include the periodic cutting of vegetation encroaching along the trails and removal of tree falls, tread work to install and maintain water diversions that minimize soil erosion, and the closure/restoration of trail segments that are poorly designed along with rerouting/construction of replacement trail segments.

2) Camping Management - Assist the Council's Conservation Committee in developing and updating a Camping Management Plan based on a comprehensive inventory of Reservation campsites (frontcountry and backcountry) and an assessment of their condition and maintenance needs. Guide implementation of the Camping Management Plan, including the provision of guidance to enhance the knowledge and capabilities of lead staff and workers, provision of adequate documentation and oversight to guide campsite work and ensure that implementation follows the prepared prescriptions. Timely preparation of campsite maintenance prescriptions and work projects as needed to guide participants on work weekends, OA or Fraternity work projects, and smaller projects that can be completed by summer camp participants in the camps and backcountry. Examples of common projects include work to design, construct, and maintain campsites that can sustain heavy foot traffic while minimizing soil and vegetation loss. Careful attention to the installation and spatial arrangement of facilities (e.g., anchored fire rings, picnic tables, tent platforms) and their influence on traffic patterns and susceptibility of soils to erosion (sheet and rill/channel).

3) Soil and Vegetation Management - While the position will focus on the duties described above, some additional projects related to soil conservation and vegetation management may also be assigned. Soil erosion management is also needed along developed roads and in developed camp areas away from trails and campsites. Projects may involve improving water drainage in these areas, hardening surfaces that bear wheeled or foot traffic, or development of water sedimentation basins. Vegetation management may include plantings to reduce soil erosion, improve wildlife habitat for cover or food sources, or increase privacy around camp program or camping areas. Other vegetation management work could include the control/removal of exotic plants, marking/removal of hazardous (unsafe) trees or limbs, and reduction of woody debris and/or fuel loading in or near developed camp areas and wooden structures at risk to forest fires.

Qualifications:
Minimum - Completion of High School with some courses in natural resources and environmental management. Prior experience with trail maintenance.

Preferred - Working on or completion of a college degree majoring in a natural resources and/or environmental science discipline. Demonstrated experience in trail layout/design, construction and maintenance. Residency in the area and availability for part-time work in the Spring and Fall. Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Please send resume to:

Greg Harmon
Program Director, BRMC
212 E. Court Street
Rocky Mount, VA 24151

For questions, email: harmongw@earthlink.net