Contributed by: Danielle Parker
Company/Organization: Preservation Alliance of West Virginia
Salary Range: $22,000
Date Posted: August 20, 2026
Location: Glen Jean, West Virginia
Website: Visit External Site

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps program gives you the chance to make a real difference by helping small museums, historic sites, and community organizations in West Virginia protect and share their history! We are seeking an outdoor enthusiast with a love of history for the Historic Mines and Coal Towns AmeriCorps opportunity with the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Established in 1978, the New River Gorge National River was redesignated as New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in 2021. The park encompasses over 70,000 acres of land along 53 miles of the New River from Bluestone Dam to Hawk's Nest Lake. A rugged, whitewater river flowing northward through deep and spectacular canyons, the New River is actually among the oldest rivers on Earth. In southern West Virginia, the New River has carved and continues to carve the deepest and longest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains.

The Historic Mines and Coal Towns AmeriCorps member will be based at the Park’s headquarters in Glen Jean, but will travel throughout the Park for service activities. The AmeriCorps will serve directly with the Park’s Resource Management Division to support the documentation, preservation, and stabilization of historic coal mining industrial and residential areas, including Nuttallburg, Red Ash, Rush Run, and Sewell. The position will be 40 hours/week, Monday - Friday, during regular operating hours.

Once the member completes an intensive orientation with Park staff, their duties will be as follows:

• Conduct background research using existing reports and documentation.
• Assess and document current conditions of historic mine structures and related features.
• Develop prescriptions for stabilization and vegetation management, in collaboration with park specialists.
• Plan and coordinate at least one service project to improve conditions at priority structures.
• Work with the Abandoned Mine Land Coordinator to integrate preservation into mine hazard mitigation and reclamation projects.
• Collaborate with the park Biologist to develop short- and long-term vegetation management strategies that protect historic resources and visitor access.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong interest in historic preservation and West Virginia coal mining history
• Ability to hike in steep, rocky, terrain through heavy vegetation
• Preferred: Experience or training in documenting and assessing historic masonry structures
• Preferred: Familiarity with vegetation in eastern forests

 How to Apply:

1.) Email your resume and statement of interest to the AmeriCorps program director at info@pawv.org. The statement of interest should directly reference the description of the position the applicant is applying to and speak to how the applicant's interests, experience, and career goals are a good match for that particular service opportunity. If interested, applicants may use the statement of interest to apply for more than one position.

2.) Create an account and submit an AmeriCorps application under the "Preserve WV AmeriCorps" listing - https://my.americorps.gov/mp/listing/publicRequestSearch.do

*For problems creating and submitting an application, contact the National Service hotline at 1-800-942-2677.