Jobs & Internships
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New River Expedition Crew Member
Location: This is a field-based position with additional opportunities for WV based crew members
Pay Rate: $20/hr and 8hr days
Term: May 25th – August 7th 2026
About the New River Conservancy
Based in West Jefferson, North Carolina with an additional office in Draper, Virginia and serving 22 counties across North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, the mission of the New River Conservancy (NRC) is to preserve the woods, waters and wildlife of the New River watershed. Our primary programs include volunteer-based river clean ups, water quality monitoring, riverbank and riparian restoration, land protection and community engagement including the partnership-based development of the New River Water Trail.
The New River Expedition
The New River Expedition is an adventure to celebrate the New River and the Appalachian communities along it. An expedition team of four paddlers will journey from the headwaters in North Carolina through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. Along the way, they will experience the natural communities that define this iconic landscape, engage with the communities of the New River, and prepare the experience to be shared with the public. The Expedition will support the growth of the New River Water Trail by identifying gaps in recreation infrastructure, highlighting areas that deserve more effective protection, and documenting locations that need the attention of NRC clean-up crews. The Expedition will also develop and share media content that will highlight the New River and a premier recreation experience. The Expedition will primarily be self-supported, with primitive camping being the most common overnight accommodation with a one-person support team assisting with shuttling, trip planning and logistics.
Skills, Experience and Qualifications
Building an expedition crew with a diversity of skills will be a priority during the hiring process.
Core Skills:
- Whitewater canoeing/paddling
- Honesty, accountability and sound decision making in an unsupervised environment
- Adaptability, flexibility and perseverance
- Camping, trip planning
- Public speaking, community engagement
- First aid or Wilderness First Aid Certified
- Must create a positive and accommodating work environment for all staff
Additional Skills:
- Public engagement
- Natural Resource Management (fisheries biology, recreation ecology, etc)
- Social media content development
- Angling/fishing
- Long distance recreation (hiking, paddling etc.)
- Drone operation
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Paddle 320 miles of the New River
- Apply a travel and resupply plan to a practical application
- Coordinate with local New River advocates, municipal leaders and community members to explore and engage communities along the New River
- Capture video, images and other content for marketing purposes in coordination with NRC staff
- Adapt to challenging weather, travel and other unpredictable elements with positivity
- Capture and evaluate trash or facility damage to Virginia river access points
Physical Demands and Work Environment
- Whitewater paddling experience (Class 3+) required
- Able to carry a canoe and gear up to ½ mile for portages
- Comfortable camping in challenging weather conditions
- Must foster a welcome and tolerant work environment
Additional opportunities in WV
For applicants based in West Virginia’s New River Watershed, extended employment opportunities are available to engage the public in stewardship of the New River including promoting the NRC’s clean-up, water quality monitoring, riparian restoration and recreation development programs. Additional employment is part-time with an emphasis on community engagement.
To Apply
Please send a resume, cover letter and references to Andrew Downs at Andrew@newriverconservancy.org. Please highlight any unique skills or interests that you would bring to the expedition crew.
Photo: Dave Bassage on his New River Expedition 2025. Photo by Joes.images