Interpretation Member - Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Interpretation Member

The Member participates closely with National Park rangers to provide a quality visitor experience for the public. The member will also have opportunities to design, deliver, and evaluate programs in the park. Projects may include developing new materials, maintaining program statistics, and creating visual aids. The Member will conduct basic research of topics for the purpose of developing and presenting interpretative programs, both orally and/or in writing. The Member will present a variety of formal and informal programs, including orientation talks, conducted walks, and cultural demonstrations. 
Main area of responsibility will be to staff the park’s visitor center. The Member will learn park resources by reviewing published maps, park research materials, and other documents previously prepared by park rangers / other professionals and by talking with park staff. The Member may also assist with one-time or annual celebrations related to programs/themes of the park and other special events.

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Fort Vancouver National Historic Site (FOVA) is seeking One Member to contribute to interpretive visitor service program alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: June 12, 2023
Estimated End Date: June 12, 2024 (52-weeks)

Location Details/Description: Located in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is in Vancouver, Washington, along the Columbia River. 

Fort Vancouver is a significant cultural and historic landmark and serves a popular recreational area. Along with being a recreational area for the community, the site serves as a major landmark for indigenous people history, the fur trade story, and early U.S Army history. The site includes a reconstructed fur trading post, air museum, and visitor center. The primary location site for the member will be at the visitor center. 

For more information about Fort Vancouver National Historic Site please visit https://www.nps.gov/fova/index.htm

Position Overview:

The Member participates closely with National Park rangers to provide a quality visitor experience for the public. The member will also have opportunities to design, deliver, and evaluate programs in the park. Projects may include developing new materials, maintaining program statistics, and creating visual aids.

The Member will conduct basic research of topics for the purpose of developing and presenting interpretative programs, both orally and/or in writing. The Member will present a variety of formal and informal programs, including orientation talks, conducted walks, and cultural demonstrations. 

Main area of responsibility will be to staff the park’s visitor center. The Member will learn park resources by reviewing published maps, park research materials, and other documents previously prepared by park rangers / other professionals and by talking with park staff. The Member may also assist with one-time or annual celebrations related to programs/themes of the park and other special events.

• Duties include meeting and greeting the public visitors at the Visitor Center, enthusiastically answering questions and offering interpretation about Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and the surrounding area. 
• The site receives upwards of 1 million visitors a year. 
• Greets visitors and responds to a variety of inquiries regarding park activities, programs, exhibits, facilities, policies, and functions.
• Ensures that the information desk at the visitor center is always staffed, answers the phone, radio and relays messages.
• Performs regular daily activities for the visitor center, including but not limited to, daily opening and closing of the facility, light exhibit cleaning duties, raising and lowering the flag, etc.
• Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities.
• Monitors and reports statistics such as visitor numbers and activities for project planning.
• Assist visitors with information about the Interagency America the Beautiful Pass Program. 
• Administrative work including computer programs, paperwork, filing, cleaning and organization at the Visitor Information desk
• Participates with staff specialists and public affairs office to provide the latest, most accurate and appropriate information to the public.
• Provides visitors with effective instructions on security and safety procedures and informs the supervisor of visitor needs.

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: ACE member work schedule is 5, 8-hour day shifts with two consecutive days off. 

Work week as follows:

Tuesday-Saturday: (Labor Day through Memorial Day Weekends): 8:00 am to 4:30 pm

Tuesday-Saturday: (Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekends): 8:45 am to 5:15 pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: position may be eligible for an 1700-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $6,495 upon successful completion of their term. 

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying childcare coverage. 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. 

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. 

Travel and Professional Development Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1,500 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. Additionally, the ACE member is eligible for up to $1,000 to be used towards project related travel.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $115 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

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 training may include defensive driving, Foundations of Interpretation, on-the-ground interpretation and education training (in concepts such as tangibles, intangibles, universals, and audience centered experiences), interpretive writing, cultural sensitivity, etc.

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 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 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 [or as defined by AmeriCorps 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as interpretation, education, history, Pacific Northwest history, preservation, recreation management. 
• Comfortable speaking in front of an audience
• Has worked with underrepresented groups/perspectives in the past.
• Ability and willingness to work with school-aged visitors, and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. 
• Ability and willingness to talk about complex and controversial topics. 
• Interest in Native American history and the National Park Service.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike up to 3 miles over rugged and uneven terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 15 pounds, ability to move up to 15 pounds.
• 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 does not require unique 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. 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the site or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the site. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the site, 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/969662.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 EPIC ACE Member Coordinator, Deja Charles at dcharles@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.