2023 NPS Academy Public Affairs Member - Grand Teton National Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park and the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, is seeking one Public Affairs member as part of the 2023 National Park Service Academy cohort. During this 16-week position and additional one week March Experience, the member will learn how to manage and disperse public information with a national park 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 diversity 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: May, 22, 2023

End Date: September 9, 2023

*a 16-week minimum commitment and participation in the orientation March 6th-10th is required for the position*

Location: Grand Teton National Park - The town of Jackson, WY offers a variety of amenities and services in close proximity to Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is only four miles from the southern boundary of the park, 12 miles from Moose, 20 miles from Jenny Lake, and 41 miles from Colter Bay. The year-round population of Jackson is about 10,000 people. However, millions of visitors come through every year, which means that Jackson offers many amenities that you don't normally see in a town of that size. The Grand Tetons are a magnificent mountain range in this northwestern region of Wyoming, with the small town of Jackson in its foothills. Within the mountain range, Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet, 7,000 feet about the valley floor. Numerous peoples have roamed these lands, showing first signs from various indigenous people from tens of thousands of years ago, from the ranchers and trappers of the 1800's, to the homesteaders and modern-day conservationists who support the park. Grand Teton National Park is rich in history of human cultures and biological diversity, being a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

For more information about Grand Teton National Park please visit nps.gov/grte.
For more information about the Grand Teton National Park Foundation, please visit gtnpf.org.

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.

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: These members will work a 5/4/9 schedule, with a traditional two day weekend one week, and a three day weekend the other during each pay period. "Weekends" may be at any point in the week (ex. duties Thursday-Monday and off Tuesday/Wednesday).

Position Description:
The Public Affairs member will assist with multi-media product development and public engagement, supporting the Office of Public Affairs during the busy summer season. The member will assist with taking photos of park resources and various events in support of press releases, bi-weekly newsletters, and social media. They will assist with social media posts, and other written content for the general public. The position will also work with Grand Teton National Park Foundation to develop content (photo, video, and written) for social media, email newsletters, and blogs about Foundation-funded work in the park to foster a deeper understanding of how national park friends groups work with and impact national parks. They may also have opportunities to assist the Foundation with other projects that will provide exposure to various operational aspects of a nonprofit NPS partner organization.

In order to give the member a well-rounded experience to develop a variety of job skills, they may also 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.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals.

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: Customer service skills; written and oral communication; interest and/or knowledge in natural and/or cultural history; skill in using computers; ability to work independently and live in a remote area.

Additional skills and experience that are helpful: Interpretation, environmental education, biology, geology, history, or related fields; experience working with the public.

Skills and experience that members will gain from this position: Experience in interpretive skills, public information and media, writing for diverse audiences, customer service, cross-training with other park divisions, etc.

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: Requires the ability to walk outdoors over uneven terrain.

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

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 valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• 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 describe your experience with 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 10, 2023. 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 Public Affairs Member Grand Teton National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC