Interpretation Member - Samoa

Interpretation Member

Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with National Park Service, is seeking One Member to contribute to interpretation projects alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: 1/16/2024 Estimated End Date: 8/9/2024

Location Details/Description: The National Park of American Samoa Headquarters and Visitors center in located in Pago Pago, American Samoa, above the Manu'a Store. There is internet service and phone service is very accessible in the area. There are a range of different stores in the area that provide food and drinks.

For more information about The National Park of American Samoa, please visit www.nps.gov/npsa

Position Overview:

The National Park of American Samoa, for the enjoyment of visitors and in partnership with

local communities, preserves, protects, and interprets paleotropical rainforests, coral reef

ecosystems, and Fa'asamoa (Samoan way of life), including living cultural traditions and

resources that date back 3,000 years.

The interpretive internship position is duty stationed in the Visitor's Center of the National Park of American Samoa. All staff and interns stationed in the Visitor's Center are responsible for all visitor services. These include, and are not limited to:

1. Opening and closing the Visitor's Center
2. Greeting visitors and answering questions
3. Answering phones and responding to voicemails
4. Providing as much information as possible regarding access to the park, hiking trails, and Samoan culture and traditions, etc.
5. Assisting with Digital Media Content development (Facebook and Instagram posts, videos, interpretive materials, etc)
6. Leading Guided hikes
7. Responding to mailed requests for information, brochures, and Jr Ranger books and badges
8. Assisting in the creation of interpretive content for guided hikes and VC visitors

This position is a learning and development opportunity that introduces candidates to the careers in the national park. While the main duties of this position are within the visitor services team, interns will have opportunities to work within other divisions, shadow positions, and learn new skills that will help them as they begin to establish a career path. Interns will have access to additional trainings to grow their skills and subject matter experts in different subjects to use as resources.

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.

Schedule: Hours are 8:-4:30 Monday through Friday. Adjustments to schedules will be made to assist with guided hikes one Saturday a month and for cruise ships that come to port on Saturdays and Sundays.

Position Benefits

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.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 1200-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $4826.50 upon successful completion of their term.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing:: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include

1. Audience Centered Experience
2. Operational Leadership
3. Volunteers-In-Parks
4. Wildland Safety and First Aid

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by 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 the required three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate's degree and/or have relevant experience in customer service, education, natural resources, or cultural resources.
• Ability to hike up to 7 miles in a day with an elevation up to 1200 ft.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite/Adobe Acrobat/Canva.
• Ability and willingness to create content for park social media sites.
• Deep interest in sharing Samoan culture, history and traditions.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, hiking, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus and stare at computers screens for several hours.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the National Park of American Samoa. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the National Park of American Samoa. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the National Park of American Samoa, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to the National Park of American Samoa and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

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 Visitors Services Team Lead, Jessica Epperson at 684-256-0457 or Jessica_epperson@nps.gov. 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 Interpretation Member Samoa Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC