2022 NPS Academy Interpretation Member

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Glacier National Park, is seeking 1 member as part of the 2022 NPS Academy cohort. During this 16-week position, the Member will gain valuable experience in education, interpretation, and visitor services within the National Park System, learn to design and conduct interpretive programs for the public, and identify possible career paths in the National Park Service (NPS).

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.For more information about NPS Academy, please visit: www.npsacademy.org.

Position Start Date: May 22, 2022

Position End Date: September 10, 2022

* A minimum 16-week commitment and participation in the orientation March 21st-25th is required for the position*

About NPS Academy: The National Park Service (NPS) Academy is an innovative and immersive program designed to introduce a diversity of participants from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities with the NPS. Participants come away equipped with knowledge about the NPS mission and the NPS Universal Competencies that are considered the foundation of all careers in the NPS and are critical to all park service employees. The NPS Academy maximizes career opportunities with NPS through training and hands-on experiences. This program is generously funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation.

Program Goals:The major goals of the NPS Academy are to:

• Connect a diverse group of young adults sharing a passion and curiosity for careers within the NPS
• Deepen participants' knowledge of and personal network within the NPS by fostering an NPS mentorship relationship
• Develop a network of emerging conservation and park leaders by building ambassadorship, storytelling, and leadership skills
• Create a more inclusive future for public lands

Location, Glacier National Park: West Glacier, MT

Glacier National Park, located in northwest Montana, makes up the core of the Crown of the Continent ecosystem. Old-growth forests, wind-swept prairies, ancient glaciers, and deep lakes are all part of this spectacular mountain landscape. Plants and animals of the humid Pacific Northwest meet and mingle with those of the Great Plains and northern forests. In the space of a few miles, visitors can travel from lush cedar-hemlock forests through alpine meadows to the edge of the western prairies. With over 700 miles of hiking trails and expansive waterways spanning the one million protected acres, Glacier National Park is an adventurer's paradise.

For more information on Glacier National Park, please visit: www.nps.gov/glac

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $450/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. ACE offers travel/relocation assistance to and from the project site.

Housing: Housing and travel assistance to and from the park will be provided. The ACE Member will be assigned park housing at no cost to the Member for the duration of the program. Housing is located within biking distance from the Member's duty station. Accommodations are typically shared housing and include a full kitchen, common area, and shared bathroom. Housing may be a house, bunkhouse, apartment, or dormitory depending on availability. Trailer pads with utilities may be available, but the Member is required to provide their own RV. Laundry facilities are available in the housing area.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1612.43) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment is required.

Scheduling: The member will contribute 40 hours per week with two consecutive days off. Weekend and holiday work is expected.

Position Description: Park interpreters are the public face of Glacier National Park. Members in the Division of Interpretation and Education, with support from experienced staff members, are responsible for researching, preparing, and presenting a range of interpretive programs, including guided hikes, interpretive talks, boat tours, and illustrated programs utilizing the park's interpretive themes (e.g., wildlife, geology, ecology, human history, climate change). These programs are conducted in a variety of park locations such as campgrounds, trails, visitor centers, waterways, and historic park hotels. In addition, members assist in visitor centers and provide information and informal interpretation to visitors during fixed station and roving assignments.

Members receive over 80 hours of formal training in interpretive skills, customer service, bear awareness and safety, and natural and cultural resources; plus a minimum of 40 hours of on-the-job training in conducting interpretive programs, park operations, and visitor services. Additional training and professional development opportunities are available. If you love learning, sharing what you've learned with others, and working hard in a team environment, these positions prove to be incredibly rewarding.

In order to give the member a well-rounded experience to develop a variety of job skills, they may also have opportunities to work on other projects, and with other work groups and park staff from natural and cultural resources, facility management, interpretation, and visitor and resource protection. The Member will work with both park staff and volunteers to accomplish tasks and may be given opportunities to present their work to groups in informal settings.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service.

Skills: An important reminder: all skills needed for this position will be trained on the job; a good attitude, curiosity for learning, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success.

Essential skills: Public speaking and presentation skills and abilities; interest and/or knowledge in natural and/or cultural history; skill in using computers; ability to work independently and live in a remote area; valid driver's license.

Additional skills that are helpful: Background in interpretation, environmental education, biology, geology, history, or related fields; experience working with the public; current American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR & AED certification or higher (ACE will support securing a certification prior to start date if necessary)

Skills that members will gain from this position: Experience in interpretive skills, customer service, cross-training with other park divisions, etc.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:
Physical Demands: Requires the ability to walk up to five miles over uneven terrain in extreme weather conditions and stand on their feet for lengthy periods of time with or without reasonable accomodation.

Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 pounds, occasionally moves up to 25 pounds.

Environmental: Work takes place both in indoor and outdoor settings. Work can include moderate risks or discomforts that require safety precautions (e.g., exposure to extreme temperatures, climates, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, and insects.)

Travel: none

ACE Requirements:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest in the position and NPS Academy, as well as contact information for three references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Member Coordinator, Deidra Goodwin at dgoodwin@usaconservation.org

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for 2022 NPS Academy Interpretation Member Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC