Position 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 communities.

The CVA will engage the community and recruit Living History, citizen science, and interpretation volunteers. In addition, the CVA will develop opportunities for public service on Veterans Day, MLK Day of Service, and during National Park Week. Throughout the position, the CVA will take trainings to further their professional development.

Site Description:

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park (PAAL) is a small park with two units. The main unit has a visitor center and two miles of trails. Resaca de la Palma (RDLP), the second unit, has a contact station and a ¾ mile trail. PAAL is a battlefield park that tells the story of the Battle of Palo Alto and the U.S.-Mexican War.

The majority of PAAL volunteers are from the local community. Around one dozen are dedicated Living Historians who provide programs and perform historic weapons demonstrations on a seasonal basis and at various park special events. There is a core group of six volunteers who work at the Visitor Center on a weekly basis.

PAAL also has a variety of people who volunteer at park special events, including local students, school clubs, university students, individuals, and Scouts.

Position Responsibilities:

• Increase and help maintain ongoing operations at the RDLP contact station

• Provide volunteer opportunities for public service on national event days including MLK Day of Service, Veterans Day, and National Park Week
• Recruit volunteers for the park’s monthly Living History Day and citizen science programs
• Develop and implement plans, Job Hazard Analysis, and Standard Operating Procedures for recruitment and outreach
• Serve as a Living Historian

CVA Minimum Requirements:

• Safety-minded
• Being committed
• Open-minded
• Able to adapt to changes
• Teamwork

• Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in early November 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)
• 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:

• Public speaking
• Working with children

• Leading outdoor activities

Additional Information:

This position includes working on weekends. The CVA needs a driver’s license to work at off-site recruiting events and to drive between the park’s two units. On-site housing is not available. The park will assist the CVA find a place to stay. The CVA will collaborate with park partners including state parks, local nature centers, and historic museums.

Benefits:

• CVA will receive a weekly stipend of $565
• 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.

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, September 11th, 2023, and run for 50 weeks until Friday, August 23rd, 2024. Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/sept-23-cva-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 June. Final deadline is Friday, July 21st, 2023.

For Application Questions:

Please contact Geoff Elliot, Program Director at gelliot@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.