ACE EPIC NPS Acadia National Park- Historic Trails NPS Academy Internship- AmeriCorps

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Acadia National Park, is seeking TWO Historic Trail Crew Interns to work with Facilities Management on the trail crew, as part of the NPS Academy cohort. During this 16-week internship, the interns will work on a variety of historic trail projects within Acadia while learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path.

These opportunities are intended for enthusiastic individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities in the NPS and who are interested in learning how to manage and maintain trails, specifically National Register historic trails, gain in-depth experience working alongside the NPS, and learning and implementing its mission.

Start Date: Summer 2020 

End Date:16 weeks from start date, flexibility with the start date may be required

* A minimum 12-week commitment is required, as is the March 9-13 spring break orientation in Jackson, Wyoming all food & expenses covered for orientation*

About NPS Academy:  The NPS Academy is an innovative and immersive program designed to introduce diverse and currently underrepresented undergraduate or graduate students, ages 18 to 30 to career opportunities with the NPS.  The program includes a spring orientation week at Grand Teton National Park (GRTE) and summer internship experience. 

Successful candidates come away equipped with enthusiasm, professionalism, a strong work ethic and knowledge about the NPS mission and Universal Competencies. The NPS Academy maximizes career opportunities with NPS through training and hands on experiences.  Goals of the Academy are to: 

• Connect diverse students with hands-on and experiential opportunities, introducing career paths within the NPS;
• Develop "on-the-job" training to participants through summer internships at national park units;
• Foster NPS mentor relationships deepening students' knowledge of and connection to the NPS;
• Provide ambassador roles for students to engage their college, university or community, sharing their experience and promoting NPS and stewardship opportunities with their peers and faculty.

Location, Acadia National Park:  "Crown Jewel of the North Atlantic Coast." Acadia National Park protects the natural beauty of the highest rocky headlands along the Atlantic coastline of the United States, an abundance of habitats, and a rich cultural heritage. At 3.5 million visits a year, it's one of the top 10 most-visited national parks in the United States. The 27-mile Park Loop Road system offers outstanding views of the park's ocean shoreline, coastal forests, and mountain silhouettes.  At Acadia you can explore the park's scenic 45-mile carriage road system or hike through forests and up mountains on 125 miles of historic hiking trails.  Bar Harbor, ME amenities include restaurants, movies, and stores nearby, within a 3 mile distance, accessible via a free bus service.  

Project Website: For more information about Acadia National Park please visit (nps.gov/acad)

For more information regarding the ACE Internship Program, please visit: www.usaconservation.orgor npsacademy.org.

Compensation: Once fully enrolled the ACE Intern is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $400/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing and travel to and from park location will be provided.  ACE interns will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the internship. Housing is within walking or biking distance from work site. Accommodations range from dorm style to shared apartment.

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

Scheduling: Likely 4 ten-hour days (Monday through Thursday) and 3 days off (Friday through Sunday).

Position Description: 

The Academy Intern position will serve their AmeriCorps term on a National Register historic trail system. The service requires very strenuous effort in moving heavy materials to and around the job site.  Interns must be able to hike steep trails in all weather conditions transporting tools and personal gear and work in difficult terrain.  Interns routinely lift and carry items over 50 pounds.

The Academy interns will assist with rehabilitating and maintaining the following trail related structures:  wooden bridges, log cribbing and steps, water bars and culverts, stone retaining walls, and stone steps and other tread structures.  May assist in cutting and shaping granite. May assist in repairs to steel pins and hand rails, also erecting signs.  Tools will include a wide variety of hand and power tools such as various hammers, shovels, stone tools, rock bars, digging tools, and power shop tools such as cut-off saws, grinders, and drill presses.  May use powered tracked material haulers. Consistently moves heavy materials to and around the job site.

Serves under the supervision of a Trail Work Leader or higher graded trail employee. The work schedule is four ten-hour days on, three days off.  The summer position is based in Bar Harbor, ME.

Additional Experience: ACAD provides a spectrum of experience intended to grow the interns through field experience and training, assistance integrating into park life, and building strong connections among interns and personnel for future support as they pursue NPS careers. Each intern will be assigned a mentor in their park district who will meet with them regularly to provide insight, help adjust to park life, edit their resume and assist the intern in creating an individual career development plan. 

Onsite park leads will assure that interns are trained sufficiently, whether formally or on the job, to perform up to expectations and they will assign clear tasks and goals. As needed, supervisors will coach, evaluate and counsel interns. The park leads all agree that the program is developmental and will allow interns to shadow jobs, meet with mentors and participate in trainings during the interns' scheduled work week.  ACE and the Outreach Program Manager will conduct a workshop for NPS supervisors/mentors on cultural awareness and coaching interns who are new to the NPS and/or the outdoors. 

Qualifications: Applicants for the position must hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree or demonstrate relevant experience 

Required:

• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Be able to attend spring break orientation in March 9-13, 2020.

• Must be 18-30 years of age and/or:
  • Interns must be 21+ to secure ACE position that requires operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.  When driving is required valid driver's license and a clean driving record are necessary.
    • documentation to be provided upon request.
  • Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply
• Ability to work alone and in a group
• Proficient in English
• Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
• Be able and willing to work outside all day
• Be able walk long distances wearing heavy packs 

To Apply: Please submit your resume, thoughtful cover letter, and contact for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/

NOTE: 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, Michelle Daneri: (385)-228-7827 or mdaneri@usaconservation.org.

Current Openings for ACE EPIC NPS Acadia National Park Historic Trails NPS Academy Internship AmeriCorps Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC