Environmental Educator and Beekeeper

~ Appalachian Headwaters is a non-profit organization created in 2016 to improve streams, forests, and communities throughout central Appalachia. ~

We work with leading academic experts, engineers, coal mining companies, community groups and landowners to re-establish productive native hardwood forests and restore water quality on abandoned mountaintop removal and other large-scale surface mining sites. In the wake of recent coal operator bankruptcies, it is necessary for our communities to reclaim the polluted water and land left behind by these destructive mining practices.

We will cultivate commercially viable forests composed of native hardwoods where only grass or invasive plant species will now grow. Our projects will improve degraded mountain streams so they can support the sensitive aquatic life that once thrived here. Our work has potential for agroforestry and other sustainable economic activities. Over time, we will help our communities to reclaim scarred mountains and impaired streams across our region,

Headwaters is also developing a regionally-focused economic and workforce development program to grow an apiculture and native plant horticulture industry in central Appalachia. The program will train southern central Appalachia’s displaced and underemployed workforce in the skills necessary to become apicultural and horticultural entrepreneurs, empowering workers to participate in lucrative, sustainable industries including honey production, bee colony sales, and native plant cultivation for both restoration industries and landscaping purposes.

Position Overview

We are hiring an Environmental Educator and Beekeeper with a strong interest and background in environmental science and ecology. Beekeeping experience is beneficial but not required.

The new hire will work with the ABC to refine our natural beekeeping protocol, teach our programs, and help manage our apiary. In addition to working with the ABC, this position will help as we develop programs to protect and support native pollinators in our region. This position does not require a strong background in beekeeping, but such skills would be very useful. The current staff (three of whom hold PhDs in beekeeping) includes several experienced staff beekeepers and consultants considered to be national experts in apiculture. 

This position may also help us to develop a native plant growers training programs. Additionally, this position is likely to help with our work to reestablish native ecosystems on former mountaintop removal sites and other formerly mined lands in the region.

Out ideal candidate will have a Masters in some form of environmental science, ecology, forestry, or a related field, but we will consider strong candidates without graduate degrees. The candidate must be compatible with our program mission, including a dedication to environmental protection, natural beekeeping methods, organic plant growing and restoration of native ecosystems. The candidate should also be able to work closely and respectfully with our members and communities throughout rural West Virginia and Virginia.

Responsibilities

• Work with team to implement the Beekeeping Collective program
• Help to conduct educational programming on the art and science of beekeeping throughout central Appalachia
• Help develop policies, educational programming, and research projects focused on native pollinators in our region
• Travel to, visit, and advise individual beekeepers throughout the region
• Recruit and educate new beekeepers to Beekeeping Collective
• Help maintain apiaries with beekeeping team
• Help develop native plant growing program
• Help with reforestation and reclamation projects

Qualifications

• B.A./B.S. or Masters in environmental science, ecology, agriculture, forestry, or related field
• Teaching experience preferred
• Beekeeping experience or interest preferred but not required
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple and diverse tasks
• Willingness to commit to natural, low-chemical beekeeping methods

Compensation: DOE, includes strong benefits package.