Employment Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in working on our team!

We currently have two opportunities to work for the SWxSW Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA):

CISMA Strike Team Crew Lead: this employee will conduct invasive species management through the use of chemical and mechanical methods on public and private property ranging from highly-invaded to high-quality areas. Primary responsibilities include leading a crew member in invasive species management on predetermined sites using best management practices; helping the Strike Team Coordinator develop management plans; survey/map sites; plan and conduct surveys for the invasive insect, hemlock woolly adelgid (“HWA”, April-May only); and assist with administrative duties (as assigned). This is the first year for the SWxSW Corner CISMA Strike Team, and the Crew Lead will aid the Strike Team Coordinator in developing and implementing the team. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic about helping develop an invasive species management team from the ground up. Applications due March 12, 2021. Details and how to apply: CISMA Strike Team Crew Lead Job Description
CISMA Strike Team Crew Member: this employee will treat invasive species through the use of chemical and mechanical methods on public and private property ranging from highly-invaded to high-quality areas. Primary responsibilities include treating invasive species management on predetermined sites using best management practices, surveying public and private properties for invasive species, maintain equipment, and record/report data. This is the first year for the SWxSW Corner CISMA Strike Team, and the Crew Member will aid the Strike Team Crew Lead in completing duties assigned by the Strike Team Coordinator. Applications due March 31, 2021. Details and how to apply: CISMA Strike Team Crew Member Job Description

For additional Natural Resources career opportunities, please also continue to visit Michigan Association of Conservation Districts to see about Districts across Michigan.

Volunteer Opportunities

Download a flyer: Volunteer Opportunities 2020

Volunteer Appreciation Night – CANCELED due to COVID-19

Past, present, and interested Volunteers are invited and welcome to join us for drinks and appetizers! The VBCD could not do what we do without you and we would like to thank you for your time, dedication, and support for all of our programs.

We’ll have a night of food, drinks, and conversation starting at 5:30 pm. A short PowerPoint highlighting our Volunteers and Volunteer Programs will begin at 6:00 pm.

Location: Old Town Hall, 122 W. St. Joseph St., Lawrence 49064

RSVP to AJ at alison.brucks@mi.nacdnet.net

Tree Seedling Wrapping – CANCELED due to COVID-19

Volunteers are needed prior to Tree Seedling Sale to help separate and wrap tree seedlings and prepare pre-orders for day-of-sale pick up. Let us know you are planning on attending as we provide lunch!

Location: Cronenwett Farms, 70121 28th St., Lawton 49065

Tree Seedling Sales – DATE CHANGES due to COVID-19!

Pre-Orders are now due May 11. Pre-order to secure seedling selection. Depending on the climate of the COVID-19 sales dates, times, and locations may change. If there is Stay-at-Home Order in effect we will be scheduling pickup times and/or delivery. Day of sales may not be available. Please watch webiste and Facebook for details and further announcements.

Tentative Sales are Thursday, May 14 (Noon-6:00pm), Friday, May 15 (Noon-6:00pm), and Saturday, May 16 (9:00am-2:00pm).

TWO LOCATIONS – Same Dates, Same Times!!

Paw Paw – Van Buren Conservation District: 1035 E. Michigan Ave. Paw Paw, 49079
South Haven – The Bailey Museum: 903 S. Bailey Ave. South Haven, 49090

Volunteers are needed to help set up/tear down tables, organize trees, talk to customers about tree species, and assist with handing out pre-orders.

Stream Monitoring/Insect Collections – CANCELLED ~~Sunday, May 3 (9:00am-1:00pm)~~ and Sunday, October 4 (9:00am-1:00pm).

Volunteers are needed to help collect aquatic insects in local waterways. Volunteers have the opportunity to be a “Collector” and wear waders to go into the water to collect insects with nets, a “Runner” that stays bank side and take nets and buckets from the “Collectors”, or a “Picker” who picks out any insects that is found in the river/stream and places them into a jar for later identification. Each role is important and volunteers have the option of what they would like to do at the collection site. No prior knowledge or experience is necessary, Team Leaders are there at each site to assist volunteers. All materials and equipment necessary are provided.

Location: Volunteers meet at the Lawrence River Park off of Paw Paw St., Lawrence on the Paw Paw River.

Insect Id/Sort/Count & Stream Evaluation – CANCELLED ~~Monday, May 4 (9:00am-Noon)~~ and Monday, October 5 (9:00am-Noon).

Volunteers are needed to help identify, sort, and count collected insects from prior Stream Monitoring/Insect Collection earlier that week. The identification/sort/count will be scheduled the following afternoon the day after the Stream Monitoring/Insect Collection.

Location: VBCD office, 1035 E. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw 49079

Recycle Roundup: Household Recycling Collections – CANCELLED ~~Saturday, June 20 (8:00am-2:00pm)~~ and Saturday, September 12 (8:00am-2:00pm)

Volunteers are needed for set up, directing traffic and handing out brochures/surveys to participating residents and clean up (Volunteers will NOT be working with hazardous materials). Usually an hour prior to the event and an hour after the event for set up and clean up.

Locations:

~~June Collection: Van Buren County Youth Fair Grounds, 55670 CR 681, Hartford, 49057~~
September Collection: South Haven Public Works Bld. 1199 8th Ave., South Haven, 49090

Passenger Tire Collections – ~~May 2~~, July 8, August 5, and October 7 (various times and locations)

Volunteers are needed to help control traffic, check reservations, and had out educational information. Volunteers will not need to handle any tires.

Well-water Screening Week – Monday, August 17 – Friday, August 21 from 8:00am-4:30pm

Volunteers are needed to help screen well-water samples with a simple dip test strip, hand out educational materials and VBCD program information, and help direct questions to VBCD staff. Shifts can vary depending on volunteers schedule.

Healthy Home Fair – September TBA

Volunteers are needed to help set up, clean up, hand out educational information, direct people to different parts of the educational fair, and chat with local residents about the Van Buren Conservation District.

River Rescue –
Report a site that needs River Rescue to the VBCD by calling 269-657-4030 x5!

Volunteer River/Stream Trash Clean Up – Volunteers are needed for a fun community clean up (non-organic materials, trash/debris) from in and along local rivers, streams and creeks.

Additional opportunities to canoe/kayak local waterways and clean up please check out Two Rivers Coalition and Bangor South Haven Heritage Water Trail Association

VBCD Native Plant Garden – A volunteer(s) is needed to tend our native plant garden in front of the district office. An hour or two a week should do the trick! Knowledge of native plants and grasses or an interest in learning native plant identification is required.

Office Duties – Volunteers are needed throughout the year to help with mailings, phone calls, filing, updating informational binders, etc.

Please call the Conservation District, 269-657-4030 x5, or email AJ at alison.brucks@mi.nacdnet.net if you are interested.