Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services Individual Placement

Title:  Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services AmeriCorps Individual Placement

Location: Camp Nelson National Monument 6614 Danville Rd, Nicholasville, KY 40356

Reports to: Steve T. Phan, Chief of Interpretation

Status: Seasonal, Full-time, Exempt

AmeriCorps Member: 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service Term

AmeriCorps Education Award: upon completion of term $1,956.35

Stipend: $600/week AmeriCorps living allowance, plus $230/week additional benefit ($830/week, pre-tax, disbursed bi-weekly)

Schedule: Wednesday - Sunday 8:45am - 5:15pm 

Other Benefits:  Public Land Corps Hiring Authority Certificate (upon successful completion of hours), uniform shirts, personal protective equipment, and other developmental opportunities as available.

Start/End date:  10/16/2024 – 01/10/2025 (15 weeks)

Positions Available: 1

Position opened until filled. 

Southeast Conservation Corps:  
Engaging future leaders who protect, restore, and enhance our nation’s lands through community-based service. 

Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC), a program of Conservation Legacy, is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, up to 35 for veterans, to complete conservation service projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. provides members with impactful opportunities through a unique set of programs that engage people in meaningful education and service to their communities and natural landscapes. SECC serves a diverse population that is representative of the Southeast, including youth, graduates, veterans, and a cross-section of ethnicities and income levels.

SECC partners with various land management agencies in Tennessee and throughout the Southeast region, such as the United States Forest Service, National Park Service, State Parks, and conservation-based non-profits.

Site Description:
Camp Nelson National Monument in Jessamine County, Kentucky, preserves and interprets the historic and archaeological resources of a U.S. Army supply depot that became one of the largest Civil War-era recruitment and training centers for United States Colored Troops and an African American refugee camp. The monument is a testament to the courage, resiliency, and perseverance of those seeking freedom from slavery and pursuing self-determination during and after the Civil War. Find more information at Camp Nelson National Monument.

Overview: 

Camp Nelson National Monument was established as the 418 unit of the National Park System in October 2018. The NPS has staffed and operated the site since 2021. The park's focus on developing partnerships with the community, local and national, and descendants is critically important to our current and future development. The Intern will be part of a dynamic NPS team of park rangers, interns, and volunteers dedicated to fulfilling the NPS Mission. The Intern will benefit the community by providing a fresh perspective on our park programs, visitor services, and community outreach.

Position Responsibilities: 

• Shadow NPS Staff at the Front Desk and Reconstructed Barracks.
• Research Project: US Colored Troop (Researching USCT Units organized at Camp Nelson; the data will be featured in an interactive exhibit currently being designed and social media.
• Assist Lead Park Ranger with education programs, including Junior Ranger programs, guided tours, archeology at CANE, flag program, and other education activities.
• Prepare social media posts under the supervision of the lead park ranger.
• Assist team with preparations for the 4th Annual Luminaria and Memorial Walk scheduled for November 23, 2024. 

Training Provided: Training will not exceed 20% of total service term hours.

• Comprehensive training for interpretation, education, and visitor services, and NPS Mission.
• Training for service tasks and projects, including reading research material, shadowing NPS staff at the Front Desk, and Reconstructed Barracks.
• AmeriCorps Orientation.
• ServeKY Member Accelerator Event in October

Position Reporting: Members are required to complete the following:

• Monthly Accomplishment Report – detailed metric reporting of member’s accomplishments per month.
• Monthly Narrative Report – Detailed narrative report of member’s experience and activities per month.
• Monthly Photo Sharing: Members can share 10 monthly photos showcasing their service term for that month.
• Bi-Monthly Check-In – Provided support to members and supervisors during their term of service. Bi-monthly check-ins will be conducted by Southeast Conservation staff to ensure the member’s experience and term of service are satisfactory.
• Midterm and Final Eval: Site supervisors evaluate members' term of service. This is completed at the midway point of service and upon completion of service.
• Exit Survey: Conservation Legacy will require an exit survey for each member and supervisor to provide an overview of the individual placement's entire term of service.
• AmeriCorps Exit Survey: Completed by the Individual Placement at the end of service per AmeriCorps compliance.

Minimum Qualifications:     

• Must be between ages 18 and 30, and up to 35 if a military veteran. 
• Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident and provide primary documentation to support this.
• Must be cleared through an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry, as well as state and federal Criminal History Checks  
• Must have a high school diploma, GED, or agree to attain either during term of service (this is essential to obtaining and using the AmeriCorps Education Award)  
• Exhibits the ability to effectively collaborate on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities. 
• Comfortable with ambiguity and being a part of a fast-paced team driven by innovation and entrepreneurial approaches.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field.
• Social Media experience.
• Interest in pursuing a career in history, especially in Civil War Era and/or African American studies. 

Prohibited Activities:

While charging time to the AmeriCorps program, accumulating service or training hours, or otherwise performing activities supported by the AmeriCorps program or the Corporation, staff and members may not engage in activities listed in CFR §2520.65.

Serve Kentucky

SECC's 2024 Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services Individual Placement is an AmeriCorps program administered by Serve Kentucky and funded by AmeriCorps, the federal Agency.

Transportation:

A personal vehicle is required for commuting to and from Camp Nelson. Housing will not be provided for this position.

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Serve effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level and a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Have the cognitive ability to learn necessary skills and apply them to effectively carry out the service project requirements.
• Appropriately always represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners.
   

Outdoor Skills (where appropriate):

Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.  

Substance Free:

In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. 

Additional Notes:

All applicants must perform a criminal history check; employment offers depend on results.

This program is available to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.  

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements   

Essential eligibility requirements for the program must be met. If you are unable to meet certain requirements, we may be able to assist you with some modification unless it alters the fundamental nature of the program, compromises the health and safety of participants or staff, or places an undue financial or administrative burden on the organization. These requirements are written the same for all positions and may not apply directly to your position.  

To Apply: 

Follow the SECC link and complete the application. Please include 3 references, a resume, and a copy of your transcripts (unofficial okay) to be considered. You can upload the references in a Word document alongside your resume. A cover letter is encouraged but not required.

If you have questions about the position, please contact:

Steve T. Phan | National Park Service​

Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services  

Historic Weapons Supervisor 

Camp Nelson National Monument 

6614 Danville Road Loop 2, Nicholasville, KY 40356

859-881-5716 (Visitor Center)

859-721-0021 (Office)

If you have questions about the application process, please contact:

Ray Wilson

Individual Placement Coordinator

Southeast Conservation Corps

(423) 422-4976

rwilson@conservationlegacy.org