Youth Conservation Corps Logistics and Media Member- Yellowstone National Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Yellowstone National Park, is seeking one Member to contribute to Youth Conservation Corps operations alongside National Park Service Staff.

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

Start Date: 05/21/2023

Estimated End Date: 08/25/2023

*a 14-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is as wondrous as it is complex. Established primarily to protect geothermal areas that contain about half the world's active geysers, the park also forms the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. At 28,000 square miles, it is one of the largest, nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth and is the first national park, established in 1872.

The YCC program is a work-based learning, leadership, and outdoor recreation program in Yellowstone National Park. The main goal of the program is to encourage youth, ages 15-18, to work, play, learn, and grow in one of the world's greatest natural landscapes. The YCC program emphasizes work ethics, introduces youth to the spectrum of NPS career opportunities, supports resource education, and promotes recreational activities that encourage youth to build lifelong healthy habits.

The NPS Academy YCC members will have opportunities to explore and learn about Yellowstone National Park resources and the surrounding region; participate and teach resource education lessons; act as a liaison to enrollees and set a positive example for all; lead by actions, attitude, and enthusiasm; and nurture and encourage participants to excel within the boundaries of the program.

For more information about Yellowstone National Park, please visit nps.gov/yell.For more information about the Yellowstone YCC program, please visit https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/management/yccjobs.htm or see Yellowstone YCC 2022 Blog

Position Overview: This member will assist NPS staff with YCC support needs with the main project to take, collect, and organize photos and create a multimedia presentation for two end of session ceremonies. Serving with the YCC program in Yellowstone requires a good deal of physical exertion while assisting with maintenance work projects and hiking in the backcountry.

Composition of the position is anticipated to be:

25% - take, collect, and organize photos and create multimedia presentations and engage in social networking for the program including regularly posting on the YCC blog

25% - assisting Crew Leaders on NPS-prioritized Yellowstone work projects

25% - assisting weekend staff with recreation, education activities, and career development

25% - other program support, projects, and administrative duties

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: Length of service days will typically be 8 hours but might be as long as 12 on some days, with breaks, because of evening programming for youth participants. An average of 40 hours per week will be anticipated. Members will begin at 8 am. The varied schedule will include nights, weekends, and holidays.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $540/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 450 hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $1718.25 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hours.

Loan Forbearance:AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. 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: 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. Housing is within walking distance from the work site. Accommodations are shared dormitory-style rooms or in tents up to 4 nights a week if serving as a crew leader.

Due to the remoteness of Yellowstone, cell coverage is limited and there is no WiFi at the YCC facility. A personal vehicle can also be helpful but is not required.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $750 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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.

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 get along with others; a desire to work with youth ages 15-18 in a multi-day and night program setting, a willingness to learn and work hard outdoors in sometimes harsh conditions (cold, wet, snowy, hot, dry); demonstrated skills in risk management, strong leadership, and judgment.

Additional skills and experience that are helpful: Willingness to learn and try new experiences, solid work ethic, team building skills, camping, hiking, natural resource management

Skills and experience that members will gain from this position: plant identification, invasive plant species identification and management, experience working with the unique Yellowstone YCC program, Leave No Trace, Bear safety, teambuilding, community living, outdoor recreation experiences, and many more

ACE Requirements:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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 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.
• 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.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools and use of office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.Occasional overnight travel to other areas of the park may occur. Camping, sleeping in tents, making meals in the field should be expected.

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. Yellowstone National Park is grizzly bear habitat and requires strong observational skills.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the National Park Service. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the National Park Service. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 but will close by March 10th at the latest. 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 Youth Conservation Corps Logistics and Media Member Yellowstone National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC