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Interpretation Member - Great Smoky Mountains (Oconaluftee) - AmeriCorps Eligible

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking ONE Interpretation Member to assist Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) staff in implementing and delivering interpretive programming to park visitors.

Start Date: April 11, 2021 (some flexibility may be available for the right candidate)
End Date: September 25, 2021
* A 24 week minimum commitment is required*

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based out of Oconaluftee Visitor Center, located in Cherokee, North Carolina. 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 the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm and https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/ovc-green-building.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 $200/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: The ACE member will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
Cell phone reception is not always reliable and personal vehicle 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 900-hour ($3,047.50) AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment is required.

Position Description:
The primary duties of the Interpretation Member will include:
Resource Education- 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.
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. This will be achieved through the delivery of interpretation programs.
The Interpretation Member participates closely with National Park rangers to design, deliver and evaluate programs in the park, and in the classroom. Projects include developing new materials, maintaining program statistics, and creating visual aids.
Lessons are guided by North Carolina 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 Education Specialist also provides coaching throughout the term, allowing members the chance for continuous improvement.
Your health is important to us! Please note that 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

Training Provided: The Member will receive training in park resource knowledge, crafting "Audience-Centered Experience," 21st-Century interpretive skills, report writing, and other position related skills, as well as safety training and oversight.
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.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: 
Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours and utilize their certificate before the age of 30.

Qualifications:
Required:
  • Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
  • Proven ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
  • Must be 21-35 years of age (This position's age limitations are a requirement of the Public Land Corps Act. Additionally, members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
  • Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply
  • A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record.
  • documentation to be provided upon request.
  • Must have a personal vehicle
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Willing to undergo and must pass a federal criminal background check
  • Must be able and willing to serve outdoors in varying weather conditions
  • Candidate is anticipated to have recurring access to vulnerable populations during this position
  • Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS
  • Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences; ability to serve alone and in a group

Preferred:
  • Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in 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
  • A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources.
  • Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
  • Excellent public speaking skills.
  • Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.

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 by clicking on the green "Apply Externally" button. 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 Eastern Recruitment Specialist, Madison Douthitt at mdouthitt@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.