Visitor Services Member - Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking ONE Member to contribute to visitor service projects alongside NPS staff.

Position Overview:The ACE Members will directly assist the National Park Service engage the public in the history and significance of Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site to visitors. Members will share information and meanings behind natural cultural resources, as well provide other visitor services such as staffing the visitor center, collecting tour fees, issuing park passes, and driving the visitor shuttle. They will also care for the farm's goats.

Typical duties include:

1. Staffing the visitor center desks, collecting fees, and selling Sandburg-related sales items in the park store
2. Creating and presenting formal interpretive programs to a variety of audiences
3. Leading tours of the historic Sandburg home
4. Driving the visitor shuttle
5. Assisting in education programs
6. Caring for goats at the farm area of the park including raking manure and feeding

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: The schedule will be 5 days a week, 9am - 5:30pm. It will include working on weekends and holidays. The schedule will be determined at time of selection and is not expected to change during the season.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE member is expected to contribute ~ 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $680/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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 here.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, libraries, and other infrastructure are spread out by 5 miles or more. The Member must have a driver's license and a personal vehicle for personal commuting purposes.

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.

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.
• Possess a desire to work with the public and a strong commitment to superior customer service.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)
• Willing to undergo and must pass required three-part 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. Covid-19 vaccinations are required for gov't housing. If you are not fully vaccinated, you would need to look for housing in the local community.
• 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.
• Members 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 here.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as History, Public Speaking and English.
• Knowledge and skills in the principles of customer service, and public speaking.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.
• Ability and willingness to communicate effectively with diverse audiences.
• Deep interest in the field of natural and cultural resources

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 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 & Outreach Specialist, Emanuel Aragon Cruz at ecruz@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.