Athens Land Trust is an innovative and adaptive community and conservation land trust in Georgia. We look for team members who are creative, deeply committed to advancing equity, and excited about embracing an evolving set of responsibilities and opportunities as the organization grows.
Athens Land Trust is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Youth Development Programs
Our Youth Development programs are unique. We offer three paid job skills training programs, the Young Urban Farmers the Young Urban Builders and the Young Conservation Stewards Each program provides paid training and education for high-school aged youth in Athens-Clarke County.
Our approach incorporates on-site training, exposure to new opportunities, leadership development and classroom education, that delivers both specialized and general job skills, and community involvement to help ensure that the next generation of leaders are invested in where they live. We work to create personal connections between the youth in our programs and leaders in the community and the respective industries that are vital to increased job placement and social capital once they have graduated from their program.
Young Conservation Stewards Crew Leader: Summer 2021
The Crew Leaders will be responsible for the safety and education of youth Stewards while supporting programmatic outcomes related to ecological restoration of Southeast Clarke Park in Athens, GA. The Crew Leaders will work with ALT’s Conservation Specialist Carly Evans to lead six youth community members for eight weeks during the summer from June 7th to July 30th. The Crew Leaders will work together with the crew members (Stewards) to aid in the identification and removal of 15 acres of invasive species throughout the wooded portions of Southeast Clarke Park, plan and construct a .25-mile connector trail, and lead the crew through partner activities and outings including bird banding, stream monitoring, native plant horticultural activities, and more. Other Crew Leader responsibilities include partner communication, organizing educational opportunities, and Steward education and mentorship with a goal of empowering youth to become the next generation of conservationists, leaders, and decision-makers.
Overall Time Expectations
Crew Leader:
10 weeks, 25-30 hours per week, starting May 24th, ending July 30th
YCS Program (Crew Leaders will oversee program):
8 weeks, 20 hours per week, starting June 7th, ending July 30th (Mon – Fri, 8am – noon)
Key Responsibilities
- Ensure safety and provide consistent leadership for Stewards
- Work with project partners to coordinate opportunities for education for the Stewards
- Work with Stewards to create and facilitate outreach opportunities at West Broad Farmers Market
- Maintain and facilitate replacement or care for Steward’s tools and protective apparel
- Work with Stewards to ID and remove invasive plant species
- Work with Stewards to plan and implement trail building and trail maintenance
- Plan and implement volunteer workdays to replant and restore ecological function of native riparian habitat following invasive removal (will occur post-conclusion of summer session (Fall 2021), schedule flexible)
Additional Requirements Applicable to All ALT Employees
- Maintain regular office hours to answer email and phone inquiries, contribute to emerging projects, and coordinate with fellow staff, etc.
- Contribute to quarterly newsletters, monthly and annual reports, brochures and other educational materials as related to program(s) of primary responsibility as well as overall organization
- Attend weekly staff meetings and prepare detailed timesheets
- Be part of a team—provide support for all staff members in their respective duties
Qualifications
Knowledge of or willingness to obtain:
- General knowledge of the various types of invasive plant species that affect and/or threaten the Georgia Piedmont landscape.
- Principles, practices, and methods of invasive plant species mitigation and prevention.
- Principles of youth leadership and training.
Experience with:
- Managing and supporting the safety of at-risk youth
- Crew management and achieving on-the-ground outcomes
- Grant reporting and project tracking
- Creating effective outreach opportunities for youth
Ability to:
- Work with very limited supervision, being resourceful and self-motivated, and motivating other’s success
- Navigate using map, compass and GPS and to work alone in remote locations
- Confidently lead groups in education and volunteer activities
To apply:
Email letter of interest and resume to Carly Evans, Conservation Specialist, at carly@athenslandtrust.org.
Young Conservation Stewards: Summer 2021
The Young Conservation Stewards (YCS) is an employment and job skills training program for high school aged youth. YCS participants will learn important environmental skills, including plant identification, invasive plant removal methods, native plant installation and maintenance, and trail building and maintenance. They will also develop essential soft skills in public speaking, leadership, and community outreach, and may engage the public at venues including the ALT-run West Broad Farmers Market, where they will speak publicly about the importance of green spaces in our community and the ways that community members can contribute to improving them. Job locations include Southeast Clarke Park, the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Athens Land Trust Office, and Walker Park (formerly Trail Creek Park). The summer 2021 YCS program will take place from June 7th to July 30th Monday – Friday 8:00am to 12:00pm. Ideally, participation in Young Conservation Stewards will lead to increased employability and job placement post high school graduation.
Young Conservation Stewards must:
- Commit to the program by showing up to work on time and coming prepared and dressed in proper attire
- Have a reliable mode of transportation to and from work sites
- Be prepared to work in a wide range of weather conditions
- While no prior experience is required, the willingness and ability to work outside is required
To Apply:
Click here to download the application. Please email completed applications to Carly Evans, Conservation Specialist, at carly@athenslandtrust.org or drop it off at the Athens Land Trust office located at 685 N. Pope St, Athens GA 30601. We are accepting applications until all positions are filled.
Young Urban Builders: 2020-2021 School Year
We are now accepting applications for the Young Urban Builders program, with a projected start date of October 15, 2020. The Young Urban Builders program was started in 2018 as a way to address youth unemployment and perform owner-occupied rehabilitation in the West Broad Neighborhood.
The program is designed to provide job training and experience while working on community projects and aiding in neighborhood revitalization. YUB students are involved at all stages in the rehabilitation process to allow for a variety of skills to be developed.
YUB duties and responsibilities include:
- learning and practicing workplace and tool safety
- proper use and maintenance of tools
- developing strong work ethics and basic job skills
- reading blueprints and interpreting written instructions
- using measurement tools and applied mathematics
Requirements:
Students must be between 16 and 25 years of age.
To apply:
Please download the application here and email it to Dr. Tawana Mattox, Education and Empowerment Director, at tawana@athenslandtrust.org or mail it to our office at 685 North. Pope Street, Athens, GA 30601. Applications can also be left in our secure dropbox at our office. We are accepting applications until all positions are filled.