Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, is seeking TWO Park Steward Members to work in either the interpretation and youth programs as part of the 2023 National Park Service Academy cohort. During these 26-week positions and additional one week March Experience, the members will learn about careers in natural and cultural resources and visitor services at both Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP and Saint-Gaudens NHP, while simultaneously learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path. These positions focus on developing participants' leadership skills and stewardship ethic to develop the next generation of park leaders and stewards.

For more information about NPS Academy, please visit: npsacademy.org.
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

About NPS Academy: National Park Service Academy aims to support the development of a more representative NPS workforce by connecting dynamic, young adults through an experiential program designed around three themes - Connections, Diversity, Legacy. Through participation, members build their conservation ethic, intercultural awareness, and career readiness skills and competencies. NPS Academy introduces participants to the NPS Universal Competencies that are foundational to all NPS career paths within a cohort of like minded peers.

Program Goals:The main goals of NPS Academy are:

• Connect a diverse group of young adults sharing a passion and curiosity for careers within the NPS
• Deepen participants' knowledge of and personal network within the NPS by fostering an NPS mentorship relationships
• Develop a network of emerging conservation and park leaders by building ambassadorship, storytelling, and leadership skills
• Create a more inclusive and representative future for public lands

Start Date: April 17, 2023

End Date: October 14, 2023

*a 26 week minimum commitment and participation in the orientation March 6th-10th is required for these positions*

Location: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is located in the year-round resort community of Woodstock, Vermont - an area of great natural beauty alongside the Ottauquechee River in the foothills of the Green Mountains. The park opened for the first time to visitors in 1998 and is the first unit of the National Park System to focus on the theme of conservation history and the changing nature of land stewardship in America. It manages and interprets the early 19th century Billings/Rockefeller mansion and grounds complex. The park also includes a 500-acre forest on the slopes of Mount Tom where hiking, nature study, and cross-country skiing are popular with visitors. The park is also home to the NPS Stewardship Institute and the Northeast Temperate Inventory and Monitoring Network (NETN).

For more information about Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/mabi

Living Allowance: Members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $560/week (less any applicable taxes) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. NPS Academy allowances are designed to prepare members for similar allowance structure at entry level positions at their service site and some variation exists due to local cost of living differences.

Housing: Housing is not provided by ACE or the National Park Service, ACE and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP will provide assistance in identifying and securing housing in the area. This position includes a housing stipend of $1,000/month.

Vermont has many affordable communities nearby that offer an outstanding quality of life. Full-service communities near Woodstock include Lebanon and Hanover, New Hampshire, and White River Junction, Queechee, and Bridgewater, Vermont. Boston is 2.5 hours from Woodstock, VT while Montreal, Quebec, is just over 3 hours away.

Scheduling: These positions are expected to contribute ~40 hours per week and may include weekend work. Each Tuesday is a professional development day with a cohort group of approximately 20 interns.

Position Description:
This posting is for TWO distinct positions in the same park.
Please indicate the position(s) you are interested in in your cover letter.

The Members will have opportunities for projects and responsibilities in a variety of roles during their position at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP. Based on the interests and skills of the selected intern, duties will be primarily assigned to one of two positions:

Interpretation: Assist with visitor orientation and information at the Carriage Barn Visitor Center and on trails. Assist with informal interpretation, short interpretive programs, pop-ups, and special events. May have the opportunity to craft social media posts for the park's social media accounts.

Youth Programs and Trails: Assist the youth coordinator with youth crew projects, trail projects, and developing and scheduling weekly professional development opportunities for the park's intern cohort.

Both members will participate in a cohort-based intensive leadership development program, facilitated by the youth coordinator, complete career development shadows, and assist with projects across divisions, such as invasive species and trails management, Junior Ranger programming, trail ambassadorship, and education at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP and Saint-Gaudens NHP.

These individual placements are meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.s.

Skills and Experience: An important reminder: all skills needed for this position will be trained on the job; a good attitude, curiosity for learning, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success.

Essential skills:

• An interest in a career in the National Park Service and a field of study or work in preparation for such a career.

• Comfort working outdoors

• Curiosity and enthusiasm

Additional skills that are helpful:

• Have a deep interest in natural and cultural history
• Be passionate about serving the public through your work and interactions
• Public Speaking
• Independent Research
• Professional writing

Skills that members will gain from this position:

• Interpretive design and techniques
• Customer service
• Interpersonal Skills
• Technology Application
• Trail maintenance
• Plant identification
• Cultural resource preservation

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions: Please use this information to determine personal ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle, feel, indicate directions. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other routine office equipment as well as hand tools and interpretive props. Often required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Must be able to walk over a mile on uneven ground and/or trails with or without reasonable accommodation.

Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Up to 50 lb.

Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

Environmental:The work is performed in an office and in the field. Field work includes exposure to extreme weather conditions and terrain, poisonous plants, biting insects, and wild animals. Approximately 50% of the work will be in a climate controlled, shared office setting or standing at a desk in the climate controlled visitor center. The other 50% will be primarily outdoors. Summers are typically mild to hot with daytime temperatures averaging in the 70s to 90s and evening temperatures in the 50s or 60s. Spring and Fall are typically mild to cool with daytime temperatures averaging in the 70s and evening temperatures in the 30s or 40s.

Travel: Occasional travel up to 20 miles between parks may be required. All driving on duty will be in a government vehicle. Upon being hired the initial background check will require fingerprinting at a facility that may be up to 2 hours from a given residence. This will need to be completed prior to the start date.

Additional Benefits: AmeriCorps: These positions may be eligible for a 900 AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,172.50 upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects are subject to specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the PLC, you are still eligible to apply for the NPS Academy position with ACE. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

Outdoor Perks: As an ACE EPIC member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

ACE Requirements:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 a criminal background check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest in the position and the NPS Academy program, as well as contact information for three references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/?keywords=academy.

• Please indicate the position(s) you are interested in in your cover letter.

Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time but will close by January 10th at the latest. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Academy Program Manager, Deidra Goodwin at dgoodwin@usaconservation.org.

EEO: 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.