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Volunteer Coordinator, Natural Areas Management

University of Northern Iowa Tallgrass Prairie Center
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Tallgrass Prairie Center AmeriCorps Position Description

Volunteer Coordinator, Natural Areas Management

October 2025– August 2026
Three-quarter time: 1,200 total hour time commitment over the term (27–30 hours/week)

Anticipated service schedule for this host site is 8:00/9:00 a.m. – 3:00/4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:00/9:00 a.m. – 2:00/3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends as projects require.

Supervisor – Laura Jackson, Director, Tallgrass Prairie Center, with assistance from Laura Walter, Plant Materials Program Manager 

Host Site Overview

The Tallgrass Prairie Center (TPC) at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls, Iowa would like to host an eleven-month AmeriCorps member to help us expand our impact and manage the natural areas entrusted to us. We are looking for someone who is passionate about environmental conservation and wants to apply and/or expand skills in natural areas management. This person will serve with another 11-month member, a Communications Associate, at the Tallgrass Prairie Center for the duration of the term.

The Tallgrass Prairie Center is a nationally recognized center for ecological restoration of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Our mission is empowering people to value and restore resilient, diverse tallgrass prairie. We conduct research and provide technical support for roadside vegetation managers, farmers, conservation professionals, and native seed stakeholders. We are also responsible for the restoration and management of Irvine Prairie, a nearly 300-acre prairie in progress, and 64 acres of university grounds near the TPC encompassing prairie, woodland, and native seed production plots. In early 2021, the TPC was given responsibility for management and promotion of the UNI Biology Preserves. While the TPC has much of the equipment and skills for management of these natural areas, the TPC lacks the capacity to recruit, train and coordinate volunteers to help with the labor-intensive aspects of natural areas management. There is also a need to promote the responsible enjoyment and appreciation of natural areas.

This position will be funded through the Green Iowa AmeriCorps program. The benefits of the AmeriCorps program include individualized professional development opportunities, an education stipend upon successful completion, a monthly living stipend, and leadership experience. For more information about AmeriCorps, please visit: https://www.greeniowaamericorps.org. 

Position Outline

While the TPC has much of the equipment and skills for management of the UNI Biology Preserves, the TPC lacks the capacity to recruit, train, and coordinate volunteers to help with the labor-intensive aspects of natural areas management. There is also a need to promote the enjoyment and appreciation of natural areas. The volunteer coordinator will implement these responsibilities.

Member Duties

  • Complete Green Iowa AmeriCorps performance metrics in collaboration with host site
  • Maintain records of service projects in Green Iowa AmeriCorps Reporting Logs
  • Submit quarterly reports of activities
  • Maintain a detailed timekeeping record of service hours and activities
  • Complete a Professional Development Project
  • Participate in mandatory AmeriCorps trainings (Orientation and Life After AmeriCorps training) and National Days of Service (MLK Day and September 11)

Orientation to TPC and associated UNI and community-based natural areas

  • Study TPC website and publications to learn about TPC programs, projects, partners, and history
  • Participate in staff meetings and Biology Preserves Committee meetings
  • Visit and become familiar with TPC grounds, campus preserves, Irvine Prairie, and community natural areas and their plant communities, history, management plans, and principal partners
  • Pursue relevant training on prescribed fire, herbicide application, chainsaw use, and natural areas management, and become proficient in the use of all safety equipment and procedures

Natural Areas Management (Lead Role)

  • Improve the diversity and resilience of TPC, campus, and community natural areas through collaboration and volunteer coordination
  • With guidance from the Biology Preserves Committee and TPC staff, implement strategies to increase awareness and use of the Biology Preserves and other university natural areas, including Irvine Prairie
  • Build on the existing system for recruiting, training, and coordinating UNI faculty, staff, and student volunteers
  • Communicate with stakeholders and partners to prioritize stewardship needs and maximize the effectiveness of volunteer workdays that may include brush removal, seed collection, and prescribed burns
  • Prioritize safety by seeking out appropriate training and consistently adhering to safety procedures; document all safety training of volunteers
  • Communicate regularly with volunteers and show appreciation for their efforts
  • Keep accurate records of management activities and contacts to maintain year-to-year continuity despite AmeriCorps and student turnover
  • Augment Plant Materials program capacity by coordinating AmeriCorps members from other AmeriCorps host sites
  • Coordinate with AmeriCorps Communications Associate

Education and Outreach (Supporting Role)

  • Support TPC project managers and AmeriCorps Communications Associate with stakeholder communications, programming, and events
  • Develop and curate a collection of educational activities to be used by TPC staff, students, volunteers, and AmeriCorps members
  • With guidance from TPC staff, prioritize and respond to requests for prairie-related educational and community engagement activities as schedule allows
  • Table at workshops or conferences that may be held to build community support for the Tallgrass Prairie Center; some overnight travel to conferences or workshops within Iowa may be possible (up to 10 nights total over the length of the position)
  • Additional related duties as they arise or assigned by Supervisor in coordination with TPC program managers

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills

  • Interest in ecosystem restoration and natural areas management
  • Ability to walk two miles over level terrain carrying a 25-lb. pack
  • Able to obtain an Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Category 6) (for control of invasive species) and S-130, S-180, S-190 certification for prescribed fire
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Small-team collaboration skills
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Safety-oriented
  • Strong record-keeping and reporting skills
  • Organized
  • Self-motivated
  • Punctual
  • Accountable
  • Passion for helping environmental causes
  • Plant identification skills
  • Experience with fieldwork such as invasive species control and prescribed fire
  • Comfortable interacting with a variety of people from different backgrounds and age groups
  • Comfort serving independently in rural and office environments
  • Experience with event planning and use of social media
  • Knowledge of Microsoft, Adobe, and G - Suite apps, including Google Calendars, Google Documents

Members can expect to gain the following skills/experiences in this position

  • Experience coordinating with natural resource professionals at a nationally recognized center
  • Plant identification skills
  • Invasive species management skills
  • Experience coordinating volunteers to accomplish natural resources management objectives
  • Experience implementing tours and educational activities at public outreach events
  • We can help you obtain an Iowa Commercial Pesticide Applicator License (Category 6) (for control of invasive species) and S-130, S-180, S-190 certification for prescribed fire