Education and Outreach Member

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with National Park Service, is seeking ONE Education and Outreach Member to assist Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) staff in interacting and engaging park visitors and in delivering inquiry-based programs in environmental education and stewardship to students grades K-8. Please note that duties may shift due to COVID-19.

Start Date: March 27, 2021

End Date: July 17, 2022 (or 16 weeks after start date)

* An 16 week minimum commitment is required*

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based out of Cades Cove district, located in Cade Cove, Tennessee. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is unique among America's National Parks; located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its rich diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of the ancient mountains and forests, and its preservation of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

Project Website: For more information regarding Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm and http://www.nps.gov/grsm/historyculture/cades-cove-history.htm.

For more information about ACE, please visit usaconservation.org.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $255/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: The ACE member will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

There is no cell phone reception in Cades Cove and a personal vehicle is required due to the site being remote with no reliable public transportation. The Member will have use of a government vehicle for project-related travel.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award of ($1,678.57) upon successful completion of term. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Position Description: Great Smoky Mountains NP has a long-standing curriculum-based education program. The Parks as Classrooms (PAC) program offers nationally recognized K-12 inquiry-based education programs for students to help them achieve academically and to inspire in them a sense of stewardship in national parks and their communities.

Cades Cove is one of the most popular sites to visit in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Here, visitors are able to learn hands-on about both the rich cultural and natural history of the area by exploring the on-site historic buildings, scenic mountain views, outstanding wildlife viewing and numerous backcountry trails.

In support of the mission of the National Park Service, the fundamental duties performed by Education and Outreach Member are:

Resource Education and Visitor Services: Educating area children, teachers and parents about the significance and uniqueness of park resources, conservation, and ecologically sound practices and the laws, rules, and regulations developed to protect park resources and provide for their safe and non-consumptive use. This will be through interpretive programs, Parks as Classroom programs and visitor outreach and engagement at Cades Cove.

Resource Protection: Preserving the natural and cultural resources of the park by preventing degradation of ecosystems, historical structures and artifacts and by preventing the loss and theft of objects, flora, and fauna through information and education. Use wildlife management techniques to ensure safe visitor/wildlife interactions

Scope of Work: This position averages 40 hours a week, but hours may be variable. Education members serve closely with National Park rangers to deliver and evaluate programs in the park and in the classroom, as well as interact with park visitors and perform public outreach at Cades Cove.

Projects include developing/designing new educational and interpretive programs, maintaining program statistics, and creating interpretive visual media, as well as roving around Cades Cove providing information to park visitors.

Lessons are guided by Tennessee state and national standards and emphasize science and cultural and history education. Lessons and field trips are provided at no cost to schools or teachers. The NPS also provides coaching throughout the term, allowing members the chance for continuous improvement.

The Member will serve the NPS Great Smoky Mountains' mission by enthusiastically serving to fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Provide and deliver outreach education programs to K to middle school aged students
• Provide public outreach and interact with park visitors
• Developing and researching program elements (lesson revision, lesson development)

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.

Please note that your health is important to us! Duties may shift in order to prevent and reduce transmission of COVID-19. Visit the CDC website for further resources: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Qualifications:

Required:

• 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).
• Must have a personal vehicle

• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Must be able and willing to serve outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS.
• Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences.
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as environmental education, interpretation, biological sciences, natural resource management, ecology, history, education, cultural resources, park management, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge and skills in the principles of education and interpretation
• Familiarity with the National Park Service
• Knowledge of, or willing to research and learn more about the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Enthusiastic about serving with audiences of all ages
• Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged and welcome

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic 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 Recruitment Specialist, Victoria Yee vyee@usaconservation.org.

EOE: 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 Education and Outreach Member Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC