Interpretation Member - Niobrara National Scenic River

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service and Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB) is seeking ONE Interpretation Member to engage youth in interpretation and resource protection alongside NIOB staff.

Start Date: August 21, 2022 (flexibility is available for the right candidate)
End Date: November 11, 2022 (or 12 weeks after start date)
*A 12 week commitment is required*

Location: Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB), Valentine, Nebraska.

The Niobrara National Scenic River is located in north-central Nebraska, approximately 300 miles (480 km) northwest of Omaha. Along the 76 mile stretch of the Niobrara are numerous waterfalls that empty into the river from the surrounding cliff and canyon walls. The Niobrara was designated as one of the 10 best rivers for canoeing in the United States. Considered an extraordinary example of a Great Plains river, the Niobrara is home to over 500 plant species, many at or beyond their usual range, including many not otherwise naturally found within several hundred miles.

For more information regarding the Niobrara National Scenic River, please visit the NPS website at: https://www.nps.gov/niob/index.htm.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $250/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. A reimbursable Travel Allowance is available at a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $500.

Housing: The ACE Member will be accommodated in provided housing at a cost for the duration of the term.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450 hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,678.57) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Position Description: The ACE Member will provide informal/ formal programs, social media events, and in- person programming to visitors. Primary responsibilities of the ACE Member will include assistance with ranger-guided canoe programs, youth educational programs and outreach.

Working in conjunction with the NIOB Interpretative Rangers, the ACE Member will provide educational programming for the After School Nature Club sponsored by the Niobrara Council. This will involve assisting with coordination, assisting with delivering programmatic lectures/ talks, preparing equipment/sites for programs, and student management.

The ACE Member will assist the NIOB Park Interpretive staff in the establishment of a new NPS sponsored program entitled 'Park Explorer,' which is focused on connecting climate change to our Outstandingly Remarkable Values. The anticipated audience for this program is Native Youth and will involve engagement with the twenty-one Niobrara River affiliated Tribes in the Niobrara National Scenic River. Duties may include assisting with coordination, program facilitation, preparing equipment/sites for programs, and student management. Engage students in co-creating a video to advertise what they're doing and learning; assist with editing and making the video accessible related to the river's resources.

Additional duties may include outreach and communications through social media tools and creating content for the NIOB website (photographs, blogs, routine posts), stocking brochure materials, opening and closing procedures for the NPS but not those related to the America the Beautiful passes and America's National Park Store.

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.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

Preferred:

• Ability to communicate clearly with peer professionals, volunteers, the public and NPS staff.
• Experience with interpretation, education, program development and delivery
• Experience canoeing/kayaking (training will be provided)
• Experience managing social media and creating video content
• Be able to answer repetitive questions in a friendly manner

How to apply:

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 applications are received. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

This position may close at any time. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Member Support Specialist, Kyle Ellison, at kellison@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.