Education Member

Education Member  

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, is seeking 1 Member to contribute to environmental education projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Estimated Start Date: 07/15/2024
Estimated End Date: 06/13/2025
*a 48-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: The summer population is around 2,500. Over 10,000 visitors can come to Skagway each day via cruise ships. The tourism industry attracts young, energetic employees that complement the welcoming small-town feel. Skagway has one grocery store, a recreation center, several restaurants and bars, a microbrewery, and a library with free Wi-Fi. Skagway also has miles of outdoor recreational trails and ocean access for water-based activities. It is a short drive to British Columbia and the Yukon, so a passport is recommended. Skagway’s cruise ship industry supports dozens of adventure companies offering activities such as rock climbing, river rafting, dog sledding, and even glassblowing. During the fall months weather can be variable, but highs in the 50s are typical. Rain can occur daily, but rarely for the whole day during the fall. Snow generally falls in late fall and typically lasts through late April.

For more information about Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:  The ACE member will work with the park Interpretation & Education division. The member will help interpret stories of the Klondike Gold Rush by working alongside park staff to assist with Education specialist duties, learn operations and assist visitors. The main duties of the member are outlined below: 

Education programs: Using a substantial amount of primary source documents and research, the member’s main focus will be to work alongside the park Education Specialist and local educators to develop and implement standards-based curricula to schools locally, nationwide, and within the park as field trips. The member will create programming and continue to grow our Distance Learning Program.  The member will help with summer camps, outreach events, and also be responsible for Junior Ranger programming and correspondence. 

Learning about the National Park Service: The member will have opportunities to learn about different park operations. This can include shadowing park environmental field studies such as boreal toad surveys, bat acoustic monitoring, and/or archaeological digs with resources staff. Some of the member's work will involve moving between multiple projects and working with many collaborators during their experience.  

Community outreach & special events: The member will connect the NPS with the local community by planning and implementing community outreach events. These events may include Fall Festival, Yuletide Events, Klondike winter games, Gold Rush Poets at a local venue, or a cultural exchange. 

Informal interpretation & visitor assistance: The member will staff public buildings such as the park visitor center and various museums. Duties will include providing informal interpretation to visitors on Klondike gold rush history, park resources & significance, offering site orientation to visitors, operating media equipment, introducing park film, as well as performing opening and closing procedures. The member will gain an understanding of how to share the National Park Service mission, day to day operations, and greatly build on their public communication skills.

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: Monday through Friday 40 hours a week, base schedule, with a 4 week non paid break around the Christmas holidays.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $920/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. 

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our usaconservation website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in shared park housing for the duration of the term.

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. In addition to safety training, the Member will receive training in park resource knowledge, delivery of audience-centered / curriculum-based programs, report writing, and other position-related skills.

Qualifications 

Required:

• 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 criminal history checks 
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for the position can hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in environmental education, interpretation, biological sciences, history, archaeology, cultural or natural resource management, education, park management, or a related discipline
• Knowledge and skills in the principles of education and interpretation
• A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources
• Demonstrated experience or interest in working with underserved communities
• Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Bilingual applicants are strongly encouraged and welcome

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, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 20 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. 
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

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. 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:  If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. 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 ACE’s online application page for this position on the usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Program Manager, Michael Knapp.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.