Now Seeking: Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps (AORC) Conservation Easement Monitor & Administrator 2026-2027

Black Swamp Conservancy is a land trust dedicated to protecting natural areas and family farms to preserve the rural heritage, unique natural habitats, and lakes and streams of northwest Ohio. The Conservancy protects over 20,000 acres which include 153 perpetual conservation easements and 13 nature preserves.

The Conservancy is seeking a Conservation Easement Monitor & Organizational Administrator to assist in the annual monitoring of our conservation easements and to add needed capacity to the organization. The selected member will gain skills in leadership, land protection, conservation easement monitoring, landowner engagement, non-profit management, and more.

Schedule

The selected member will serve a total of 1,700 hours between August 24th, 2026 through August 19th, 2027. The weekly schedule will usually be Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:00pm with some flexibility needed for evening or occasional weekend hours.

Essential Functions of this Position:

Conduct annual monitoring site visits to conservation easements located across the service area. This includes visiting a variety of protected properties and ecosystems (agricultural, coastal marsh, wooded wetlands, etc.)
Communicate with easement landowners regarding their conservation easements & best management practices
Successfully utilize database management systems & software.
Assist in due diligent recordkeeping and filing systems to ensure proper Land Trust Alliance accreditation standards
Reliably attend in-person service that supports education, conservation and restoration, food and resource access and distribution, heritage and resource-based tourism, and public lands access, in accordance with ADA requirements.
Support other Appalachian Ohio Restore Corps members and their programs.
Participate in training and conferences as necessary to increase knowledge and gain career networking opportunities. This position requires a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 20% of service in training hours to be eligible for the Segal Education at the end of successfully-completed terms. All training hours must be logged between the official start and end date. Examples of training members can participate in include: Red Cross CPR/First Aid, Wilderness First Aid, Project Wet & Wild, LeaderCorps, & Public Speaking.
Complete monthly activity reports, narrative reports (OnCorps Great Stories), required timesheets and periodic reports through the OnCorps online system and Google Drive.
Complete Midterm and End of Term Evaluations and paperwork.
Attend required AORC and Black Swamp Conservancy meetings and events.

Other Duties & Responsibilities of AmeriCorps Member:

Assist with a variety of organizational administrative tasks including constituent research and organizational mailings.
Personal transportation is required. The Black Swamp Conservancy office is accessible to members of the community with disabilities, though please note that many events require the member to be working outside in various conditions, including inclement weather.
Assist with the preparation and distribution of Committee and Board agendas and packets
Foster relationships between the community and the Conservancy by handling merchandise orders and advertising special Conservancy events
Help manage logistics and coordination of special events, as assigned
Complete in person orientation. Members will learn about AmeriCorps benefits, prohibited & unallowable activities, AORC member expectations, training opportunities, regional history & culture, and various personal & professional development opportunities available to them throughout their term.

Required Qualifications

This position requires the ability to serve both independently and in a team setting.
Excellent organizational and communication skills, the ability to operate under deadline pressure and the ability to handle multiple tasks are vital to success in this position.
Knowledge of MS Office software packages and general computer skills are required with experience in database management and Geographic Information Systems preferred.
A background in environmental studies, environmental science, science education, sustainability, or related fields is desirable.
Prior experience with public speaking is favorable.
AmeriCorps member must possess the ability to work outdoors in adverse weather conditions (heat, cold, insects, etc.).

Preferred Experience

Familiarity with conservation easements.
Organizational and non-profit experience.
Familiarity with using GIS and GPS units.
Familiarity with databases.

Physical Requirements

Serve in an outdoor environment, including tolerance for heat, exposure to insects and thorns, and inclement weather.
Occasionally lift and carry items up to 40lbs.
Periodically stand and walk across rugged, uneven terrain, including farm fields, wetlands, wooded areas, etc.
Ability to sit and work in an office sitting, often with multiple hours at a computer.

Compensation

52 weeks total commitment
$24,000 total stipend
$7,395 Segal Education Award
- This award may be used to repay qualified student loans and to pay current education expenses at eligible institutions.
$1,170 in mileage, training, and equipment
Health care coverage for members serving in a full-time capacity
Child care (if income eligible) serving in a full-time capacity
Assistance finding comfortable and affordable housing in your service community
Professional development and training opportunities including valuable certifications and industry credentials
Joining a family of AmeriCorps Alums in the region committed to lifelong-service and activism
Student loan forbearance for eligible Federal student loans
Countable payments towards the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, if eligible and enrolled in an approved income-driven repayment plan
Networking with local non-profit and government leaders
Connection to post-service careers with Employers of National Service and relationships regional employers

To Apply

Email your resume and cover letter to Conservation Associate, Ellie Schiappa, at .

Applications due July 2nd, 2026. Interviews will begin on July 6th.

Why Join Our Team?

Joining the Black Swamp Conservancy offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the conservation efforts of our region while gaining valuable skills and experiences.

As a member of our team, you will serve alongside passionate individuals dedicated to preserving our natural heritage. In addition to hands-on experience in land protection and non-profit management, you will also have the chance to participate in training and conferences to increase your knowledge and expand your career networking opportunities.