Natchez Trace Parkway Community Engagement Internship
The Place
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile recreational road and scenic drive through three states. It roughly follows the "Old Natchez Trace" a historic travel corridor used by American Indians, "Kaintucks," European settlers, slave traders, soldiers, and future presidents. Today, people can enjoy not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the parkway.
The position will be based at park headquarters in Tupelo, Mississippi.
The Work
The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) will help us better engage with and become a trusted member of our local communities whose volunteer program better reflects the diversity of those communities. The CVA will assist our volunteer program by developing new, creative, and innovative strategies. The CVA will be stationed at Mount Locust Inn and Plantation located just 15 miles north of Natchez, MS which boasts one of the oldest buildings in the state of MS and human history dating back thousands of years. Mount Locust is a location that has an evolving narrative that focuses on making room for stories that have long been overlooked.
- Assist the volunteer program manager with a volunteer program needs assessment to help us gain insight on our program’s strength and weaknesses
- Update and strengthen infrastructure for volunteer management, including recruiting strategies, volunteer trainings, orientations, and recognition events
- Research the local demographics; community organizations; and attitudes behaviors, and barriers related to recreational opportunities and the Natchez Trace Parkway
- Help brainstorm, develop, and implement outreach strategies to attract an engage more diverse and underserved audiences within local communitie using our volunteer program
- Networking and establishing relationships with local groups, partners, and community stakeholders that represent diverse audiences
The Details
- Length: position is 50 weeks, 40 hours/week
- Start Date: Monday, February 7th 2022
- Living Allowance: Baseline allowance of $500/week* AmeriCorps Award: $6,345 (pre- tax)
- Application Due Date: 12/17/2021, or Until Filled Members will attend a week-long, nationwide, National Early Service Training
- Members will receive Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon completion
The Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be 18-30 years old (35 years old if you are a veteran) Be willing and able to commit to a year of full-time work Be willing to occasionally work weekends and odd hours
- Education requirements: Must have or be pursuing an associate degree or higher-level degree. Outgoing and friendly personality that gets along easily with others
- An ability to use initiative and work independently as well as a part of a team Must have regular and reliable attendance and dependability.
- Submit proof of a Driver’s License and undergo a Federal Background Check, upon selection
- It is very likely that all participants will be required to be fully vaccinated to serve in the 2022 CVA Program. At a minimum participants will be required to get tested weekly if they are not vaccinated. Dates for implementing these requirements are not yet determined, but we expect that compliance will be necessary by the end of 2021
- Local applicants are preferred
- Public speaking and effective communication skills Excellent organizational skills
- Creative problem‐solving skills Community engagement experience Proficient computer and data entry skills
Housing
Park housing is not available. Up to $65/week may be allocated to support rent.