NPS Academy Visitor and Resource Protection Member - Mount Rainier National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Mount Rainier National Park is seeking ONE Visitor and Resource Protection member as part of the 2024 National Park Service Academy cohort. During this 12 week position and additional one week March Experience, the members will develop resource interpretation, public speaking, and customer service 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

Location and Start Dates

Start Date: May 12, 2024

Estimated End Date: August 10, 2024

Start and end dates are potentially flexible for the right candidate and are dependent on the Park needs. If your availability falls mostly within these dates, please apply. More information regarding specific dates will be shared in the interview process.

*a 12 week minimum commitment is required and participation in the orientation (March 4th-8th) are required for the position*

Locations: Mount Rainier National Park, Longmire & White River areas

Mount Rainier National Park was established as the nation's fifth National Park in 1899. The park preserves iconic wildflower meadows, old growth forests, and the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. An active volcano, Mount Rainier's glaciers are the headwaters for five major river systems. The majority of the park is now managed as federally designated wilderness, where people can encounter abundant wildlife, visit historic fire lookout towers, and make personal connections in a place that is largely unmodified by human activity.

For more information about Mount Rainier National Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm.

Position Description:

The NPS Academy Visitor and Resource Protection Members will:

• Make visitor contacts to provide: general park info, backcountry camping info, climbing info, wilderness education, Leave No Trace best practices, wildlife/food storage best practices, visitor safety checks, trip planning assistance, wilderness and climbing permit needs, weather/environmental conditions updates, problem solving.
• Learn how to work in the Wilderness Information Center and use Recreation.Gov to issue backcountry and climbing use permits and educate users on best practices during their trips (safety topics and permit requirements)
• Conduct backcountry patrols: to learn the park, to help maintain trails and backcountry structures, to provide a positive presence to the public and be available for visitor inquiries, and work with other rangers on projects
• Study, explore, patrol, and maintain primary backcountry area(s) of responsibility.

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.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: Members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Scheduling: 10 hour workdays with ~80 hrs per 2 week pay period (exact schedule layout is TBD but is likely to be 4 days on / 3 days off).

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $1,824.07 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hrs.

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 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.

Preferred Skills and Experience

An important reminder, all skills needed for this position will be trained on the job. A good attitude, curiosity for learning, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success.

Essential skills and experience: Ability to work a flexible schedule and adapt to a dynamic work environment, greet the visiting public in a friendly and professional manner, stand/walk for long periods of time in all weather conditions and carry out tasks and assignments with a "safety-first" attitude.

Additional skills and experience that are helpful:

• Ability to hike 6+ miles in rugged terrain

• Willingness to travel in bear country (training provided)

• Willingness to conduct overnight patrols at a backcountry camp (gear provided)

• First Aid/CPR

Skills and experience that members will gain from this position:

• How to run a wilderness information center

• Learn how to be a backcountry ranger in a wilderness park

• Leave No Trace training

• Basic navigation using map and compass (and gps)

• Bear Awareness Training

• Water Crossing techniques/good decision making

• Spring Snow Travel techniques/good decision making

• Exposure to an emergency response program that includes: Search and Rescue (SAR), Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Wildland Fire, Law Enforcement

• Exposure to many work groups (trail crew, climbing rangers, resource, education, interpretation, maintenance, etc)

• Tools to work through negative visitor contacts

ACE Requirements:

• 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 or as defined by AmeriCorps
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

A valid driver's license is required.

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 frequent standing and walking, and carrying a backpack weighing up to 35 pounds
• Vision Requirements: Must have adequate vision to walk on uneven, rocky, or terrain covered with vegetation. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 45 pounds uphill / downhill
• Environmental: The work environment varies constantly. Most work is outdoors, and is performed in temperatures from 90 degrees F to below freezing. Severe mountain weather conditions can result in extreme heat, rain, snow, and high winds.
• Travel: Overnight backcountry travel is encouraged. Backcountry overnight trips could vary from one night up to four nights, if interested, and could include tent camping or stays in a backcountry patrol cabin.
• Housing and work area are remote, and there is no public transportation available for grocery shopping and/or recreation on days off. Internet and phone access may be limited.

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 16th at the latest. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Academy Member Manager, Deja Charles dcharles@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 NPS Academy Visitor and Resource Protection Member Mount Rainier National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC