Individual Placement - Urban & Conservation at Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy

Student Conservation Association•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The SCA Conservation Educator member will be placed at Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy (WWGC), a 291-acre urban greenspace and flood mitigation project serving a diverse community of over 70,000 residents in southwest Houston, Texas. The primary goal of this position is to support habitat restoration, environmental education, and community conservation programming across the site's 20-acre coastal prairie, riparian zones, and open water habitats. The member's major field duties will include invasive species removal, native plant installation, prairie restoration, tree mulching, trail maintenance, and plant and animal surveys. In addition to land stewardship, the member will assist with environmental education programming, social media content creation, volunteer coordination, and networking. One day per week, the member will collaborate with partner organization Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest (NTTSW), gaining exposure to trail planning, community engagement, and how private and government entities work together on urban greenspace projects. This position offers a comprehensive conservation experience that bridges hands-on habitat work with community outreach and professional development. This position is part of the ForUsTree Program, a paid workforce development initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Student Conservation Association (SCA) in partnership with the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC). Members are placed with nonprofit organizations and public agencies serving the Greater Houston region to gain hands-on experience in urban forestry, environmental stewardship, conservation, and community engagement. While members complete their day-to-day work under the supervision of their host organization, they are also members of the ForUsTree Cohort, receiving onboarding, regular check-ins, professional development opportunities, networking opportunities, and ongoing program support from SCA throughout the placement.

Requirements

Applicants must be currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a degree program in environmental science, biology, ecology, conservation, natural resources, environmental education, or a related field.
Candidates must be able to perform physical outdoor work in variable weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and rain.
A valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to the host site are required.
Applicants should have basic familiarity with native and invasive plant species of the Gulf Coast region or a willingness to learn.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills are required for community engagement and volunteer coordination, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with staff, volunteers, and partner organizations.
Candidates must also successfully pass a background check prior to starting the position.
Able to understand, adhere to, and communicate with others regarding hazards, procedures, and safety policies.
Able to independently manage known medical conditions with the resources available throughout the position or program.
Able to wear all required personal protective equipment, including safety glasses, hard hats, gloves, N95 or other approved face mask or shield, and appropriate footwear.
Able to refrain from behaviors and actions that disrupt the work and safety of others.
Able to cooperate with others to complete daily group tasks, responsibilities, and project work under potentially difficult conditions, variable daily routines, and with limited personal time.
Able to self-regulate or co-regulate emotions and actions when distressed or uncomfortable, with or without the support of others.
Able to self-manage outdoor and environmental exposure (e.g., temperature, wind, sun, etc.) in a variety of weather conditions.
Able to maintain adequate nutrition and hydration throughout program time.
If using prescription medications, able to self-administer medications by following the prescribed dosage, usage, and timing without supervisor assistance. If prescription medication is administered via injection, able to self-administer the injection.
Able to independently carry a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight over varied, loose, inclined terrain for up to a maximum of 15 miles per day with adequate breaks.
Able to lift a backpacking pack weighing approximately 30% of body weight with minimal assistance from others.
Able to independently mount and dismount a bike.
Able to properly wear a bike helmet.
Able to independently pedal, steer, stop, and negotiate a bike over a variety of terrain and surfaces, including uphill, downhill, flat, gravel, and pavement.
Able to correctly wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) according to US Coast Guard specifications. Additionally, some motorized boats require passengers to be able to wear an ATV-style helmet.
If intentionally or unintentionally submerged, maintain a face-up position in the water, and make progress through the water to shore or a rescue boat while wearing a Personal Flotation Device.
Able to maintain a secure airway in the event of sudden water submersion.
Able to re-board or enter a boat or watercraft from the water after training and orientation to the boat’s safety procedures and safety equipment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with invasive species identification and removal techniques
Familiarity with Gulf Coast native plant communities, particularly coastal prairie and riparian ecosystems
Experience assisting with or leading environmental education programs, community outreach, volunteer coordination, or other community engagement activities
Social media content creation skills, including photography, videography, and caption writing
Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish
Familiarity with iNaturalist or similar citizen science platforms for species documentation, trail maintenance, or outdoor recreation programming
Prior experience with a conservation corps, AmeriCorps, or a similar service program

Responsibilities

Invasive species removal and woody plant management across a 20-acre coastal prairie and riparian habitats
Native plant installation, propagation, and habitat restoration
Conducting plant and wildlife surveys to support species inventories and restoration planning
Trail maintenance, litter removal, and general site stewardship
Tree mulching, maintenance, and care
Supporting environmental education programs, including K–12 field trips and community events
Volunteer coordination and community engagement
Creating social media content and documenting conservation activities through photography and other media
Collaborating one day per week with Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest to support trail planning, community outreach, and partner networking
Provide general office and administrative support, attend staff meetings and organizational events, assist with grant documentation and project reporting, and support special events such as the Colors of the Prairie Chalk Art Festival in November 2026.
Participate in professional development opportunities, including TPWD Certified Angler Instructor workshops and guest speaker sessions.
Capture photography and visual content for organizational communications and outreach, and assist with website updates, social media, and other digital content as needed.