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Volunteer and Community Engagement Member – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one Volunteer Program and Community Engagement Member to assist part-time with volunteer program administration alongside Great Smoky Mountain National Park staff.
The member will be expected to contribute an average of 22 hours a week for 22 weeks.
Start Date: August 24, 2020
End Date: January 23, 2021 (or 22 weeks after start date)
*a 22-week minimum commitment is required *
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based out of Sugarlands Visitor Center, located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is unique among America's National Parks; located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its rich diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of the ancient mountains and forests, and its preservation of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture.
For more information regarding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: www.nps.gov/grsm
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~22 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $330/week to cover the costs of food, housing, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.
Position Description:
The ACE Member will assist park staff with volunteer program administration and oversight. They will participate in online and in-person outreach at local organizations, businesses, schools, and universities to engage youth and adults in park-based service learning opportunities.
Responsibilities may include:
  • Planning and leading service projects. Activities may include: upkeep of recreation sites; trail maintenance; cleaning fire rings; removing invasive vegetation, raking/removing leaf litter and other debris around structures during fire season; simple structure restoration projects.
  • Office tasks including: data entry and analysis; project reporting; processing of volunteer applications and agreement forms; handling email, phone and in-person communication; social media outreach; and assisting with planning and oversight for volunteer recognition and enrichment events.
  • Supporting internal communications between the Volunteer Office, Field Supervisors, and Park Volunteers.
  • Facilitating training for volunteers and field supervisors.
  • Providing brief educational/interpretive talks for volunteers.
  • Assisting with 'Smokies Service Day' service-learning opportunities which are offered on weekend mornings and afternoons.
  • Providing support for the Artist-In-Residence Volunteer Program.
  • Providing support for the parks Litter Patrol Program. This may involve communicating with service groups and individuals, providing tools and safety gear needed to perform litter patrol, ensuring that volunteer agreement forms are completed, and enter volunteer hours in the database.
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.
Qualifications: 
Required
  •  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 contributing member of a group
  • This position is funded through the Public Land Corps Act which has specific program requirements
  • Must be 18-30 years of age to apply (members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
  • Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply
  • Driving for this position is required. If the member is unable to drive a federal vehicle they will need to use a personal vehicle for project related tasks. Some reimbursement may be available.
  • US Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • A valid driver's license (documentation to be provided upon request)
  • Willing to undergo and must pass a federal criminal background check
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
  • Able to work weekends and afternoons.
  • Ability and willingness to communicate and interpret information to diverse audiences.
Preferred:
  • Competitive applicants for this position will hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as volunteer management, natural resources, trail maintenance, education/interpretation.
  • Knowledge of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park and its local communities. 
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.
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/457113.html.
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 ACE EPIC Recruitment Specialist, Madison Douthitt at mdouthitt@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.