Now Hiring

Community Building Coordinator – AmeriCorps Member

Do you want to improve the quality of life for wildlife and humans in Western North Carolina?
Are you an unabashed nature nerd for the plants, animals, and other branches of life in the eastern deciduous forest? Are you so enthusiastic about nature that your friends and family give you a lovingly hard time about it? Do you quietly not care because secretly you are turning them into nature nerds too? Fan of public engagement and not afraid to work with animal ambassadors? The Balsam Mountain Trust might have the role for you. Note that this is an AmeriCorps position (more details below) with a fixed term of 11 months from October 2026 – August 2027

Where You Will Work: The Heart of the Appalachians
The Trust is a private non-profit and is located on Balsam Mountain Preserve, a private preserve with over 3400 acres of permanently conserved lands. We broadly serve far Western North Carolina with an emphasis on Jackson and Haywood Counties. The Trust offices are only 8 miles away from the town of Sylva, a beacon of arts, culture, tasty food, and good breweries in far WNC. With Western Carolina University just down the road and Great Smokies National Park down the street, Sylva is a gateway to all the adventures of the Southern Appalachians with boundless opportunities for hiking, paddling, birding, fishing…choose your own adventure!

You’ll Be Part of Our Small but Mighty Team!
You’ll be part of a small but mighty staff of people passionate about the plants and critters of our region, who are keen on fostering that passion among the non-science folks you’ll find on the Preserve and beyond. We are looking for someone who is eager to help their fellow team members, and isn’t scared to ask for help when they need it. We are serious about what we do, but we like to have fun doing it!

Our Mission
The Balsam Mountain Trust inspires people to be responsible stewards of the natural and cultural resources of the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains through education and conservation leadership.

Qualifications: A Backpack Full of Skills & Enthusiasm

• • • • Life Skills – You have a degree or equivalent demonstrable life experience in environmental education, community development, and/or natural resource management.
      • A People Person: Prior experience in volunteer management, community convening, community outreach, and/or event planning. 
      • Love of critters too: If the idea of working with an opossum, snake, toad, etc. gives you the heebie jeebies, this is not the job for you. The majority of your time in this role will be delivering programming with non-releasable wildlife ambassadors!
      • Great Communicator: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear and effective communication with volunteers, staff, and community members.
      • Superpower for Friendship: You’re the kind of person who can build a community from the ground up and resolve conflicts with a gentle touch and a positive attitude. Skills in developing recruitment strategies, conducting interviews, and providing volunteer training, are a plus.
      • Beacon of Positivity: Your encouraging and optimistic demeanor is infectious and helps create a joyful atmosphere for everyone you work with.
      • Gets things done: The ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines. Proficiency with databases, spreadsheets, and online communication tools.
      • Eligibility: Must be 18 years of age or older, a citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States, and consent to a criminal history check.

      Check out the full position description with lots more details by clicking here!

Position Responsibilities: Tales from the Trust

• • • • Critter Whisperer & Educator (70%): You’ll be the lead educator for our public outreach programs! Using our charming animal ambassadors as a “hook,” you’ll teach kids and families about the unique biodiversity of our region. You’ll focus on in-school programs for 4th graders, helping them discover the superpowers of animal adaptations, and you’ll also host fun family events at local libraries and other public venues. 
      • Trailblazing Ecosystem Champion (15%): You’ll be a hero for our at-risk ecosystems in the Southern Appalachians! Your mission is to rally a trained corps of volunteers for hands-on service projects, working with land managers to make a real, lasting impact. You’ll be the one scouting out these projects to ensure our volunteers are perfectly prepared for a day of ecosystem healing.
      • Volunteer Engagement Guru (15%): You’ll collaborate with our team to create a new and unique way for the public to engage in volunteerism and community building. By implementing all the best practices in recruitment, training, and recognition, you’ll slowly but surely build a community of volunteers who feel valued, celebrated, and eager to give back to our magnificent region.

What does it mean to be AmeriCorps? 

You’ll be an AmeriCorps Member through Project Conserve in this position and placed at Balsam Mountain Trust. Rachael Hart, Wildlife Coordinator at the Trust, will be your site supervisor.  Please check out the Project Conserve website for details on what the means, compensation, and how to apply. If you have any questions, reach out to Rachael at 828-631-1063 or rhart@bmtrust.org.