Individual Placement - Urban & Conservation at Willow Waterhole Greenspace Conservancy

SCA Conservation Educator

The SCA Conservation Educator member will be placed at Willow Waterhole Green space Conservancy (WWGC), a 291-acre urban green space 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 green space 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 For Us Tree  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 For Us Tree  Cohort, receiving onboarding, regular check-ins, professional development opportunities, networking opportunities, and ongoing program support from SCA throughout the placement.

Hosting Organization:
Willow Waterhole Green space Conservancy

Supervision:

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 For Us Tree  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 For Us Tree  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…