Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park, is seeking two Interpretation & Education Members as part of the 2022 NPS Academy cohort. During this 16-week position, the Members will learn the standard approaches to education within the National Park system and learn to create their own programs while simultaneously learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path.

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

Start Date: Monday, May 23, 2022

End Date: Saturday, September 10, 2022

*a 16 week minimum commitment is required *

About NPS Academy: The National Park Service (NPS) Academy is an innovative and immersive program designed to introduce a diversity of participants, ages 18 to 30 (or Military Veterans up to 35) from backgrounds historically underrepresented in the National Parks, to career opportunities with the NPS. Participants come away equipped with knowledge about the NPS mission and the NPS Universal Competencies that are considered the foundation of all careers in the NPS and are critical to all park service employees. The NPS Academy maximizes career opportunities with NPS through training and hands-on experiences. This program is generously funded by Grand Teton National Park Foundation.

Program Goals: The major goals of the NPS Academy are to:

• Connect a diverse group of young adults sharing a passion and curiosity for careers within the NPS
• Deepen participants' knowledge of and personal network within the NPS by fostering an NPS mentorship relationship
• Develop a network of emerging conservation and park leaders by building ambassadorship, storytelling, and leadership skills
• Create a more inclusive future for public lands

Location: Grand Teton National Park- The town of Jackson offers a variety of amenities and services in close proximity to Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is only four miles from the southern boundary of Grand Teton, 12 miles from Moose, 20 miles from Jenny Lake, and 41 miles from Colter Bay. The year-round population of Jackson is about 10,000 people. However, millions of visitors come through every year, which means that Jackson offers many amenities that you don't normally see in a town of that size. The Teton Range is a magnificent mountain range in this northwestern region of Wyoming, with the small town of Jackson in its foothills. The Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet, 7,000 feet above the valley floor. Numerous peoples have roamed these lands, showing first signs from various Native American tribes around 11,000 years ago, from the ranchers and trappers of the 1800's, to the homesteaders and modern-day conservationists that support the park. 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 nps.gov/grte.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $480/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing and travel assistance to and from park location will be provided. The ACE Member will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the position.

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.

Scheduling: Members will work a 5/4-9 schedule. This means they will work eight 9-hour days and one 8-hour day for a total of 80 hours in a biweekly pay period. Days off alternate each week between two days and three days. Weekend, holidays, and evening work expected.

Position Description:The Interpretation team directly engage park visitors with activities such as answering questions at visitor centers, providing trip planning help at information desks or over the park phones, researching, preparing and presenting short guided walks and talks, presenting evening campfire talks, leading children's programs, providing information to individuals on trails or at overlooks and completing a wide variety of special projects. Work in other park divisions such as administration, resource management, visitor protection, and maintenance may be available to round out the position. These summer positions will be based at different visitor centers throughout the park.

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.

Skills: An important reminder: all skills needed for this position will be trained on the job; a good attitude, curiosity for learning, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success.

Essential skills: Deep interest in connecting people to public lands. Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group; Knowledge of natural sciences, history and customer service skills

Additional skills that are helpful: relevant experience in subject areas such as natural sciences, history, public speaking, and education

Skills that members will gain from this position: Providing excellent customer service to thousands of diverse visitors from around the country and world, conflict de-escalation skills, formal and informal interpretive ranger program development and delivery skills, and working within a team to meet goals and agency mission.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Work requires some physical effort and can involve extensive periods of standing and walking, in some cases over rough surfaces or inclines outdoors, and carrying backpacks or other loads up to 50 pounds.

Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Moving up to 50 pounds

Environmental: Work takes place both in indoor and outdoor settings.Work can include moderate risks or discomforts that require safety precautions (e.g., exposure to extreme temperatures, climates, rough terrain, wild animals, pests, and insects.)

Travel: none

ACE Requirements:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts
• Attendance of the NPS Academy Orientation held March 21st-25th, 2022 (travel costs covered by ACE)
• Participation in summer workshopsWilling 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.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest in the position and NPS Academy, as well as contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here. 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 NPS Member Coordinator, Deidra Goodwin at dgoodwin@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.