Interpretation Member

Interpretation Member – John Muir National Historic Site

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with John Muir National Historic Site, is seeking one Members to contribute to interpretation project alongside NPS Staff.

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

Estimated Start Date: 4/18/24 
Estimated End Date: 8/17/24

*a 18-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: This position will be based out of the John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez, CA. The site is the home and fruit ranch once owned and managed by naturalist John Muir and is characterized by three separate park units: a 9 acres fruit orchard and ornamental garden site (House Unit); 350 acres of oak woodland and grassland (Mount Wanda Unit); 1 acre gravesite and orchard (Gravesite Unit). In addition to work at the John Muir National Historic Site, ACE Members may occasionally be engaged with visitor services at other park sites, each located about 20 miles away in the towns of Concord (Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial), Danville (Eugene O’Neill National Historic Site), and Richmond (Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park).

For more information about John Muir National Historic Site, please visit https://www.nps.gov/jomu/index.htm

Position Overview: The ACE Member will assist the National Park Service with interpretive and education initiatives and programs as well as provide general visitor services.  

Responsibilities and Duties will include:

• Becoming knowledgeable of the history and features of the historical site.
• Greeting visitors in the Visitor Center and providing accurate information.
• Performing operational duties.
• Researching and presenting public interpretive programs.
• Participating/assisting in special programs and offsite events.
• Answering questions in person or on the phone.
• Assisting park rangers in leading school groups for the park’s educational program.

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: This position will work Thursday-Monday 8:45am – 5:15pm (Pacific Time).

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $660/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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

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. Specific National Park Service training may include register usage and troubleshoot, opening and closing procedure, site safety, interpretation, facilitative dialogue, Audience Centered Experience (ACE).

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.
• If driving is required: A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a college degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as outdoor education or youth leadership.
• Knowledge of the National Park Service (NPS).
• Ability and willingness to work independently.
• Deep interest in entering the public service field.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged. Spanish and Mandarin are especially useful in this park.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, talking, listening, and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various accessibility equipment, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Hiking can be on uneven terrain, in either the dark (for Moonlight walks) or in the heat or rain may be required. Lifting logs and attending to firepit during visitor programs.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Summers can be in the 90’s at John Muir and Eugene O’Neill
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and medium to heavy traffic.
• Limited computer access: Due to the Childcare background check, obtaining the PIV card (Personal Identity Verification) will be delayed. Individuals PIV card is necessary to gain access to our computers.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat, rocky terrain 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.  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 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. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager Michael Knapp at mknapp@usaconservation.org.

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.