Community Volunteer Ambassador - San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Program Details:
Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) Program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train a diverse group of emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to local communities.
Community Volunteer Ambassadors (CVAs) support Volunteer-in-Parks programs at National Park Service sites nationwide. This ranges from National Park, National Monuments, National Battlefields, National Historic Sites, National Recreation Areas, and more. The Community Volunteer Ambassador Program was developed to support NPS sites in connecting with their local communities through service and to provide young adults with a professional development opportunity within the National Park Service. CVAs provide capacity for NPS sites to establish community partnerships, develop new volunteer opportunities, and build volunteer program resources.
Site Information
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (SAAN) represents a historical merging of cultures that created an identity neither entirely Indigenous nor entirely Spanish. This identity persists in the modern-day community. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the park is made up of four missions located along the San Antonio River south of downtown. The volunteer program at SAAN includes a number of regular recurring volunteers who assist in different departments in the park, as well as community groups who perform one-time service projects.
Position Summary
The CVA at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park will help to strengthen the volunteer program through excellence in community partnerships. We will focus on local schools, military and veterans groups, and other community organizations. The CVA will also assist with increasing the park's participation in national stewardship initiatives. Our goal is for the park’s volunteer corps to reflect the diversity of San Antonio more closely.
Position Responsibilities:
- Assist with recruiting and managing service groups.
- Assist with recruiting, training, and managing individual volunteers.
- Assist with coordinating with different departments of the park for the purpose of determining their volunteer needs.
- Assist with the park's social media program by creating digital content for the purpose of recruiting for and highlighting the successes of the volunteer program.
- Assist with maintaining communication with volunteers through meetings, newsletters, etc.
- Understanding the park's needs and at times working alongside park employees and volunteers.
CVA Minimum Requirements:
- Friendly and outgoing. Able to interact effectively with diverse populations in the workplace and in the community.
- Ability to communicate effectively through writing for purposes of newsletters, social media postings, emails, etc.
- Comfortable with public speaking such as when making a presentation, speaking in-person or virtually, to groups of various sizes and demographics.
- Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.
- Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in early April 2023
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old)
- High School Diploma/GED
- Pass fingerprint-based FBI, state criminal, and a national sex offender checks.
- Be able to provide proof of a driver’s license and complete a MVR check
- Must be over 21 years old or have had license for at least 3 years to be insured in this position
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) will be given preference.
- Local applicants will be given preference.
- Experience working with the public.
Benefits:
- CVA will receive a weekly stipend of $500 (additional $65/week, if housing is not provided)
- Limited health care/childcare benefits
- The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award $6,495.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of the program
- Professional development funds
- Networking opportunities within the National Park Service and partnering organizations
- Public Land Corps Hiring Authority
- Week-long in-person training at NPS site with travel/meal expenses covered.
Additional Information
San Antonio TX is the seventh largest city in the nation with all associated amenities, and is recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Park housing is not available; preference will be given to local applicants. The CVA is strongly encouraged to have their own vehicle as public transportation can sometimes be problematic. The CVA will sometimes be required to work weekends and evenings.
How to Apply
Please visit Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) to review “Member Positions” by region and find instructions on how to apply.
The CVA position will start on Monday, February 6th, 2023, and run for 50 weeks until Friday, January 19th 2024. Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application. Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.
Please ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the CVA program, your experience working with diverse populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.
Applications Deadline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early November. Final deadline is Friday, December 9th.
For Application Questions:
Please contact Geoff Elliot, Program Director at gelliot@conservationlegacy.org
Stewards Individual Placements Program does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.