Sarah Vollbrecht
Midlothian,VA
Summary
Conservation and environmental education professional with extensive field and park-based experience leading crews, coordinating volunteer programs, and delivering public-facing interpretive and educational programming. Skilled in habitat restoration, trail construction, and natural resource management, with a strong background in supervising teams in remote and physically demanding environments. Experienced in volunteer coordination, event planning, and visitor engagement across Virginia State Parks. Adept at combining leadership, communication, and technical field skills to support conservation goals, enhance public understanding of natural and cultural resources, and ensure safe, effective program delivery.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
Virginia State Parks
Powhatan, Virginia
10.2024 - Current
- Plan, recruit, and coordinate volunteer programs to support park operations and increase community engagement
- Communicate with new and returning volunteers, maintaining accurate records including work logs, forms, and project tracking systems
- Lead and support volunteer groups in completing projects aligned with park conservation and maintenance goals
- Design and deliver educational programs interpreting the park’s natural, historical, and cultural resources for diverse audiences
- Staff visitor center, providing high-quality customer service and responding to visitor inquiries in person and by phone
- Assist in planning and executing special events, including logistics coordination, program promotion, and participant engagement
- Maintain accurate records of program attendance and volunteer participation to support reporting and program evaluation
- Collaborate with park staff to enhance outreach initiatives and improve visitor experiences
- Operate effectively in both office and outdoor environments while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced setting
Conservation Crew Leader
Conservation Legacy
Mount Crawford, Virginia
03.2023 - 10.2023
- Led, mentored, and supervised a crew of young adults in completing conservation projects across public and private lands
- Facilitated skill development through hands-on training, informal lessons, and structured feedback to promote leadership and professional growth
- Fostered a positive, inclusive, and team-oriented environment supporting crew cohesion, morale, and individual development
- Planned, coordinated, and executed conservation projects including habitat restoration, invasive species management, and trail construction/maintenance
- Communicated and collaborated with project partners and program staff to ensure successful project delivery and logistics coordination
- Monitored and enforced safety protocols, promoting physical and emotional well-being in remote and physically demanding environments
- Transported crew members, tools, and equipment safely in program vehicles in accordance with organizational policies
- Managed field incidents and implemented appropriate response procedures, maintaining detailed documentation and reports
- Completed administrative responsibilities including tracking crew hours, accomplishments, incident reports, and disciplinary actions
- Oversaw project and camp budgets, including purchasing, expense tracking, and receipt submission
- Directed camp operations by assigning tasks, maintaining cleanliness, and ensuring adherence to low-impact camping practices
- Maintained a continuous leadership presence during multi-day field assignments, supporting team needs in dynamic outdoor settings
AmeriCorps Crew Leader
Conservation Legacy, AmeriCorps
Mount Crawford, Virginia
01.2023 - 03.2023
- Co-led conservation crew, ensuring efficient project execution and daily operations in remote settings.
- Communicated project objectives and feedback to enhance crew accountability and performance.
- Trained crew members in trail construction, habitat restoration, and invasive species removal.
- Delegated tasks while monitoring productivity to meet project timelines and quality standards.
- Collaborated with staff and partners to coordinate logistics for successful project delivery.
- Modeled professionalism and safety awareness in challenging environments and varying weather.
- Promoted safety culture by monitoring crew well-being on-site and off-site.
- Assisted with administrative tasks, including medical form maintenance and incident documentation.
Park Naturalist
Virginia State Parks
Dublin, Virginia
04.2022 - 11.2022
- Developed and delivered engaging interpretive programs focused on the park’s natural, cultural, and historical resources for diverse audiences including school groups and overnight visitors
- Led environmental education activities and presentations tailored to a wide range of ages, enhancing visitor understanding and appreciation of local ecosystems
- Maintained and updated interpretive exhibits, kiosks, and educational materials to ensure accuracy and quality visitor experiences
- Assisted in the care and handling of ambassador animals used for educational programming
- Created program materials and promotional content, contributing to outreach efforts and event visibility
- Managed and updated event databases and program records to support scheduling and reporting needs
- Provided excellent customer service by assisting visitors, answering questions, and supporting park operations
- Performed routine maintenance and upkeep of the Discovery Center and program equipment
- Operated effectively in outdoor environments and flexible schedules, including weekends, evenings, and holidays
Education
Bachelor of Science - Fish And Wildlife Conservation
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA12-2022
Skills
- Team leadership, supervision, and staff/volunteer training
- Environmental education, interpretation, and public speaking
- Visitor engagement and customer service in public-facing roles
- Field-based conservation work and habitat restoration
- Trail construction, maintenance, and outdoor infrastructure support
- Invasive species management and ecological land stewardship
- Wildlife observation, tracking, and field data collection
- GPS-based navigation and basic GIS mapping (ArcGIS)
- Field research support and data recording/management
- Emergency preparedness, field safety, and risk management
- First Aid/CPR certified; experience in remote and rugged environments
- Program coordination, scheduling, and administrative support
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Strong communication, teamwork, and independent work skills
Certification
- Virginia Master Naturalist, Virginia Cooperative Extension - 2025
- USA Archery Level I Instructor, USA Archery - 2026
- Project Growing Up WILD Educator, VA Department of Conservation and Recreation - 2026
- Adult and Pediatrics First Aid/CPR/AED with Life-Threatening Bleeding and Tourniquet Application, The Red Cross - 2026
- CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers, The Red Cross - 2026
- Injuries and Splinting, The Red Cross - 2026
Accomplishments
- Recognize A Ranger Award, Oct 2022 - Earned benchmark recognition pins through a structured visitor feedback system honoring consistent delivery of exceptional customer service, leadership, and visitor support within Virginia State Parks.
Timeline
Volunteer and Events Coordinator
Virginia State Parks
10.2024 - Current
Conservation Crew Leader
Conservation Legacy
03.2023 - 10.2023
AmeriCorps Crew Leader
Conservation Legacy, AmeriCorps
01.2023 - 03.2023
Park Naturalist
Virginia State Parks
04.2022 - 11.2022
Bachelor of Science - Fish And Wildlife Conservation
Virginia Tech