Established in 1978, New River Gorge National River was redesignated as New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in 2020. 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. Here in southern West Virginia, the New River has carved and continues to carve the deepest and longest river gorge in the Appalachian Mountains.

Opportunity #1: Historic Preservation AmeriCorps Member - Maintenance Division (Thurmond Historic District) @ $22,000/year + educational and health benefits

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps member will serve with the Maintenance Division to continue preservation efforts in the historic railroad town of Thurmond, a key cultural resource within the park. Building on the work of previous Preserve WV AmeriCorps members, this position will support research, assessment, and preservation planning for Thurmond’s historic structures and cultural landscape.

The member will assist the park and local partners in identifying and developing the next phase of preservation projects to stabilize and restore the town’s historic buildings and infrastructure. After completing an intensive orientation with Park staff, the member’s primary tasks will be to:

- Conduct detailed building assessments of identified historic structures in the Thurmond Historic District.

- Collect and input data into the NPS data management systems.

- Work with NPS staff to evaluate building conditions and develop repair and rehabilitation project proposals.

- Produce a comprehensive assessment report summarizing findings and recommendations.

Opportunity #2: Historic Preservation AmeriCorps Member - Resource Management Division (Kaymoor No. 1 Mine) @ $22,000/year + educational and health benefits

The Preserve WV AmeriCorps member will serve with the Resource Management Division to support the preservation and stabilization of historic structures at the Kaymoor No. 1 Mine site. This service will build upon previous work by a former Preserve WV AmeriCorps member  and continues the Park’s efforts to protect and interpret this nationally significant site. Once the member completes an intensive orientation with Park staff, their duties will be the following:

- 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 drainage mitigation and spoil pile stabilization projects.

- Collaborate with the park Biologist to develop short- and long-term vegetation management strategies that protect historic resources and visitor access.