Tribal Community Engagement Fellow - Grand Teton National Park

Tribal Community Engagement Fellow

Summary
The Tribal Community Engagement Fellow presents education programs for schools, community groups, and career development programs along with the rest of the three to five person education team. The team serves around 8,000 youth annually. In addition to serving general audiences, the TCEF promotes a healthy relationship between Grand Teton National Park and indigenous audiences by creating or adapting curriculum to facilitate meaningful, culturally relevant connections between tribal youth and Grand Teton National Park. TCEF builds relationships with tribal community leaders and teachers, learns their priorities, needs and desires and incorporates those into youth programs. The TCEF also assists in coordinating logistics and administrative tasks for education and community engagement programs. The position also provides occasional support for visitor services - e.g. answering phones or assisting the visitor center desk. 

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking a Tribal Community Engagement Fellow to help support Grand Teton National Park and their Education and Community Engagement team. For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: July 2023
Intended Duration: 2 years
*At this point in time, funding is only confirmed for the first 22 weeks. There are plans to add more funds to support the full 2 years at the beginning of the next fiscal year (October 2023)*

Location: Grand Teton National Park- Moose, WY

The Grand Tetons are a magnificent mountain range in this northwestern region of Wyoming, with the small town of Jackson in the valley. Within the mountain range, Grand Teton rises to 13,775 feet, 7,000 feet above the valley floor. Grand Teton National Park is rich in history of human cultures and biological diversity, being a part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. For more information about Grand Teton National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm

Position Overview: The Tribal Community Engagement Fellow presents education programs for schools, community groups, and career development programs along with the rest of the three to five person education team. The team serves around 8,000 youth annually. In addition to serving general audiences, the TCEF promotes a healthy relationship between Grand Teton National Park and indigenous audiences by creating or adapting curriculum to facilitate meaningful, culturally relevant connections between tribal youth and Grand Teton National Park. TCEF builds relationships with tribal community leaders and teachers, learns their priorities, needs and desires and incorporates those into youth programs. The TCEF also assists in coordinating logistics and administrative tasks for education and community engagement programs. The position also provides occasional support for visitor services - e.g. answering phones or assisting the visitor center desk. 

The Tribal Community Engagement Fellow will support the Education and Community Engagement team at Grand Teton National Park. Duties will include:

• Engaging under-represented audiences through community partners and events with a focus on Native American and/or youth in the greater Grand Teton area
• Presenting or creating education and career development programs or tools for students and community groups
• Reinforcing long term partner relationships by focusing on positive outcomes and communicating regularly and clearly
• Examples of past projects include: creating a Tribal Training Tool for park staff to better interpret indigenous presence and history, creating content for and leading week-long residential learning opportunities for local tribal youth, leading field trips and distance learning programs, and supporting residential and day programs for local Latine/x youth.
• Assisting in managing logistics and coordination of tribal youth programs

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, enhancing place-based education skills and shadowing different work groups. The incumbent will develop skills in coordination, collaboration and public-private partnerships for youth development work.

Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00am - 4:30 pm with some travel, evenings and weekends as needed for programs and field visits with partners. 

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to help 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 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. 

Relocation Allowance: The ACE member will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE member 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 National Park Service mission, orientation to ranger careers, place-based education pedagogy, and on the job safety. 

Qualifications 

Required:

• Experience leading youth education and development programs.
• Knowledge of indigenous culture/s and experience working with and among indigenous people.
• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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 the required two-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. 
• 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 four semesters of college and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as indigenous studies, natural resources, education.
• Experience developing lessons for place-based education. 
• Knowledge of conservation, ecology, indigenous studies.
• Ability and willingness to research, design, prepare and implement both short and multi-day programs.
• Deep interest in youth development and cultural relevance
• Professional, timely and empathetic communication - both written and oral
• Organizational skills 

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Ability to hike over rough terrain, camp overnight under field conditions, participate in occasional outdoor recreation like boating or canoeing.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus without accommodation. 
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Occasional physical work that may include lifting and moving 20 lbs
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel, primarily within the region

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. Primary hazards relate to mountain weather, wildlife, and vehicle use.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:  If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Grand Teton NP or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Grand Teton NP. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the National Park Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to National Park Service 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/971010.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 the EPIC NPS 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.