Individual Placement - Urban & Conservation at Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy

Position Summary 

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.

Hosting Organization

Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy

Host Site Supervisor

Members report directly to an assigned supervisor at the host organization, who is responsible for providing day-to-day supervision, work assignments, mentorship, site-specific training, bi-weekly timesheet approval, and regular feedback throughout the placement.

SCA Program Supervisor

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) serves as the program administrator for the ForUsTree Program. SCA staff provide onboarding, conduct regular individual check-ins, coordinate cohort activities, support professional development, monitor grant compliance, and serve as an additional resource throughout the opportunity. In addition to host site responsibilities, Members may have opportunities to participate in SCA-led activities as members of the ForUsTree Cohort. These opportunities may include supporting native fruit tree giveaway events, community outreach and volunteer events, environmental education programs, professional development and networking opportunities, multimedia and storytelling projects, SCA meetings, cohort activities, partner events, and other duties that support the individual placement experience and program objectives.

Location 

Houston, TX

Schedule 

October 5, 2026 - March 19, 2027

Key Duties and 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

Marginal Duties 

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.

Required Qualifications 

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.

Preferred Qualifications 

Preferred qualifications include experience with invasive species identification and removal techniques, as well as 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 is highly valued. Candidates with social media content creation skills, including photography, videography, and caption writing, are encouraged to apply. Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is preferred due to the diverse community served by WWGC. Familiarity with iNaturalist or similar citizen science platforms for species documentation, trail maintenance, or outdoor recreation programming is also beneficial. Prior experience with a conservation corps, AmeriCorps, or a similar service program is preferred.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Not provided

Compensation  

$850/week living allowance

$2,000 duty-related reimbursable expenses

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Required

Additional Benefits 

Interpretive Skills

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.