2023 NPS Academy Assistant Youth Conservation Corps Crew Leader - Acadia National Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Acadia National Park, is seeking ONE YCC Assistant Crew Leader NPS Academy member as part of the 2023 National Park Service Academy cohort. During this 12-week position and additional one week March Experience, the members will learn trail maintenance and crew leadership skills while simultaneously learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path.

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

About NPS Academy: National Park Service Academy aims to support the development of a more representative NPS workforce by connecting dynamic, young adults through an experiential program designed around three themes - Connections, Diversity, Legacy. Through participation, members build their conservation ethic, intercultural awareness, and career readiness skills and competencies. NPS Academy introduces participants to the NPS Universal Competencies that are foundational to all NPS career paths within a cohort of like minded peers.

Program Goals:The main goals of NPS Academy are:

• 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 relationships
• Develop a network of emerging conservation and park leaders by building ambassadorship, storytelling, and leadership skills
• Create a more inclusive and representative future for public lands

Start Date: 06/05/2023

End Date: 08/25/2023

*a 12-week minimum commitment and participation in the orientation March 6th-10th is required for the position*

Location: Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park protects that natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the US, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 4 million visits a year, it is one of the most-visited national parks. Visitors are attracted by the stunning ocean views, 158 miles of hiking trails, and charming carriage roads built by Rockefeller in the early 20th century.

The Acadia Youth Conservation Corps (AYCC) is an 8-week, non-residential summer employment opportunity for youth ages 15-18 to work, learn, play, and grow alongside their peers in the stunning setting of Acadia National Park. Youth will accomplish needed conservation projects and gain valuable insight into their environment, including the importance and nuances of conservation. The program is challenging, educational, fun, and offers participants opportunities to expand their horizons while building skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.The YCC program emphasizes work ethics, introduces youth to the spectrum of NPS career opportunities, supports resource education, and promotes recreational activities that encourage youth to build lifelong healthy habits.

The NPS Academy YCC member will have opportunities to explore and learn about Acadia National Park resources and the surrounding region; participate and teach resource education lessons; act as a liaison to enrollees and set a positive example for all; lead by actions, attitude, and enthusiasm; and nurture and encourage participants to excel within the boundaries of the program.

For more information about Acadia National Park, please visit Acadia National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)l.For more information about the Acadia YCC program, please visit https://go.nps.gov/AcadiaYCC.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $560/week (less any applicable taxes) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. NPS Academy allowances are designed to prepare members for similar allowance structure at entry level positions at their service site and some variation exists due to local cost of living differences.

Housing: NPS Academy members will be accommodated in provided park service housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing varies by park site.

Scheduling: Length of service days will typically be 8 hours, 7:00-3:30, for a total of 40 hours per week. Occasionally, work projects off-island require overnight stays and staffing during the evening hours.

Position Description: The Assistant Crew Leader supports the Crew Leaders in the physical and emotional safety of AYCC program participants at all times, supervising the safe completion of conservation and maintenance projects, teaching resource education, problem solving, motivating crews, and participating in physically demanding projects. The Assistant Crew Leader is expected to demonstrate active leadership and be a role model for AYCC participants. The NPS Academy member will also be responsible for the documentation of AYCC activities through photos and videos, and the creation of a multimedia presentation at the end of the season. Additional duties in support of the program, such as administrative tasks, may be required of this position.

Projects may include: trail and carriage road maintenance, vegetation management, invasive species removal, social science data collection, painting, and other projects. Training is provided for most, if not all, of the projects before and during the season.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Skills and Experience: All skills needed for this position will be trained on the job. A positive attitude, curiosity for learning, interest in youth development, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success.

Essential skills and experience: Ability to get along with others and communicate effectively; a desire to work with youth ages 15-18, a willingness to learn and work hard outside in sometimes harsh conditions (cold, wet, humid, hot, dry); demonstrated skills in risk management, strong leadership, and judgment.

Additional skills and experience that are helpful: Experience working with children or teens, and working with a team. Willingness to learn and try new experiences, solid work ethic, team building skills, hiking, natural resource management

Skills and experience that members will gain from this position: plant identification, invasive plant species identification and management, experience working with the Acadia YCC program, Leave No Trace, teambuilding, building community, outdoor recreation experiences, exposure to a variety of NPS careers, trail and carriage road maintenance, caring for personal and community wellness, and many more

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:Please use this information to determine personal ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands: The work requires regular physical exertion such as walking or climbing over wet, rough, uneven and/or rocky surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, or reaching; in some situations the work may require physical exertion to prepare soil for planting and planting activities. Heavy items, such as project materials weighing up to 50 pounds, must be lifted and carried on a regular basis. May be required to hike several miles in a day.Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds. Heavy items, such as equipment packs weighing up to 50 pounds, may be lifted and carried on an occasional basis.

Environmental: The work is performed primarily in the field. The work performed in the field involves regular and recurring exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, ticks, biting insects and wild animals

Travel: Occasional overnight travel to other areas of the park may occur.

Additional Benefits: AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450 hour AmeriCorps Education Award (~$1718.25) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects are subject to specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the PLC, you are still eligible to apply for the NPS Academy position with ACE. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

Outdoor Perks: As an ACE EPIC member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)

• Willing to undergo a criminal background check.
• 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 learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest in the position and the NPS Academy program, as well as contact information for three references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/?keywords=academy. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time but will close by January 10th at the latest. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Academy Program Manager, 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 2023 NPS Academy Assistant Youth Conservation Corps Crew Leader Acadia National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC