Interpretation Member - Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Sugarlands)

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

Anticipated Start Date: May 6, 2024 *Flexibility may be available for the right candidate

Anticipated End Date: October 12, 2024 *Flexibility may be available for the right candidate 

*a 23-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: 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: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.

Position Overview: In support of the mission of the National Park Service, the primary duties of the Interpretation Member will include:

• Resource Education- Educate visitors about the significance and uniqueness of park resources, conservation, and ecologically sound practices and the laws, rules, and regulations developed to protect park resources and provide for their safe and non-consumptive use.
• Resource Protection- Preserving the natural and cultural resources of the park by preventing degradation of ecosystems, historical structures and artifacts and by preventing the loss and theft of objects, flora, and fauna through information and education.

This will be achieved through the delivery of interpretation programs and answering visitor questions in the Sugarlands Visitor Center. Through place-based learning, visitors make real-world connections with science and history as they explore our National Parks!

The Interpretation Member participates closely with National Park rangers to design, deliver and evaluate programs in the park. Projects 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. Present a variety of formal and informal programs including orientation talks, environmental education programs, conducted walks, demonstrations, and evening programs.

A main duty of this position will be to inform visitors about park facilities and resources. Duties are performed on or off-site at locations designated by the park, including visitor centers, campgrounds, historical sites, etc. The Member will learn park resources by reviewing published maps, park research materials, and other documents previously prepared by park rangers and other professionals and by talking with park staff. The Member may also provide assistance in connection with one-time or annual celebrations related to programs and themes of the park and assists with special events.

Other collateral duties may be assigned including the research and development of social media posts, virtual programs, educational videos, interpretive signage, displays, and website design, etc.

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.

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. The Member will receive training in park resource knowledge, delivery of audience-centered/curriculum-based programs, report writing, and other position related skills, as well as safety training and oversight.

Schedule:

Works 5 days per week (8-hour days), from 8:45 a.m. - 5: 15 p.m. (40 hours weekly)

OR

Works one week, 5 days per week, 9 hour days 7:45-5:15 p.m. (45 hours, 2 days off) and works second week, 3 (9-hour) days, and 1 (8-hour) day (35 hours) with 3 days off.

The park is open 7-days/week, including holidays. Days off will be consecutive days off.

Position Benefits

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

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $3,447.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 900 hours.

Housing: The ACE member will be accommodated in shared park housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Cell phone reception is not always reliable and a personal vehicle is required due to the site being remote with no reliable public transportation. The Member will have use of a government vehicle for project-related travel.

For the full announcement and to apply, please visit:https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1072754