Park Steward, Interpretation: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, is seeking one Member to contribute to interpretation projects alongside National Park Service Staff.
Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, is seeking ONE Park Steward Members to work with the interpretation team. During this 26-week position, the member will learn about careers in natural and cultural resources and visitor services at both Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP and Saint-Gaudens NHP. This position focuses on developing leadership skills and stewardship ethic to develop the next generation of park leaders and stewards.
Start Date: April 17, 2023
End Date: October 14, 2023
*a 26 week minimum commitment is required for this position*
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
Position Overview: The Member will have opportunities for projects and responsibilities in a variety of roles during their position at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP. The youth programs member will assist the youth coordinator with youth crew projects, trail projects, and developing and scheduling weekly professional development opportunities for the park's intern cohort.
This member 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.
This individual placement is 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.
Schedule: This position is 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 Benefits
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.
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.
Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.
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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
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.
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.
Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $750 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
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.
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 or feel, talking and hearing. 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. Ability to walk over a mile on uneven ground and/or trails with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
- Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: ability to move up to 50 pounds, infrequently.
- Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
- Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
- Travel: This position may require domestic 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. 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.
Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the National Park Service.. Strict adherence to National Park Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.
ACE Requirements:
- Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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 three-part criminal history 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.
- 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 website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time, but will close by March 3rd at the latest. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact 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.