Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Lake Clark National Park & Preserve is seeking One Member to contribute to digital media content development and outreach projects alongside NPS Staff.

*Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply early for full consideration*

For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1004418.html

Start Date: 09/24/2023

Estimated End Date: 03/30/2023

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: This position is located in Anchorage, Alaska, and is based out of the National Park Service Alaska Regional Office. There is no housing provided by the park for this position but does include a housing stipend.

Most of the members time will be based in Anchorage in an office environment, however, there may be opportunities for the member to get out in the park and visit the field headquarters for Lake Clark National Park and Preserve based in Port Alsworth, Alaska.

Anchorage is the gateway to Alaska adventure. Located within Denaʼina Ełnena, on the traditional homelands of the Dena'ina Athabascan people and the Native Village of Eklutna, the city combines wild Alaska beauty, convenient urban comforts, mesmerizing outdoor spaces, and captivating arts and culture. Find sparkling glaciers, abundant wildlife, vast parks and trails, and dazzling northern lights. A season spent in Anchorage opens doors to some of the best experiences Alaska has to offer, all in one place. For winter adventurers especially, Anchorage is ideal. While many regions celebrate winter recreation and snowfall, Anchorage raises the bar with the aurora overhead.

For more information about Lake Clark National Park & Preserve read the "position overview section and visit https://www.nps.gov/lacl/index.htm.

Position Overview: The Winter Media Member position will fulfill an important part of our interpretive team. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is a land of stunning beauty. Volcanoes steam, salmon run, bears forage, and craggy mountains reflect in shimmering turquoise lakes. Here, too, local people and culture still depend on the land and water every month of the year. It's an incredible opportunity to steward a land and story like Lake Clarks.

Notably, like many areas in Alaska, Lake Clark is not on the road system and travel takes place primarily by watercraft and small plane. Fixed-wing aircraft are allowed to land on all suitable lakes, rivers, beaches, gravel bars, and open ground in both the park and preserve unless the area is closed or otherwise restricted. Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is located north of Katmai National Park, 65 air miles northwest of Homer, and about 120 air miles southwest of Anchorage.

The logistical reality of accessing the park makes this position particularly important as many of the visitors to our National Park Site will never set foot on its land. That's where you come in.

The incumbent of this position will help Lake Clark engage all persons with access to digital media, who seek information or experience with our digital content. This position will focus on social media engagement, learning about the growing demands of responsive and engaging park social media including daily posting on multiple platforms and participating in NPS-wide campaigns. They will also work collaboratively with natural and cultural resource professionals to create park publications that inform visitors on the site's natural and historical resources, as well as new rules and guidance resulting in the engagement of tens of thousands of visitors to the virtual visitor center. 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.

Additionally, we will work directly with the member to create projects which highlight their skills and passions and will seek opportunities to continue to cultivate skills to use to be competitive in preferred fields. Possible additional skills include training and working in Adobe Media Products, writing columns, photography, public programming, podcasts, app work, and more.

Schedule: This position will serve an 80-hour per two-week period. The position is anticipated to be a 5-8 hour day work schedule (40 hours per week with two day weekends) but may consider accommodating a 5-4-9 schedule (35 hours one week, 45 the other offering one two-day weekend and one three), if requested. Workdays will fall between Monday and Friday and core hours will be 10:00am-3:00pm.

Position Benefits

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

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $3247.50 upon successful completion of your service term.

Loan Forbearance:AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying childcare coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. A Housing allowance of $900 monthly not to exceed $6,300 is available to help offset the cost of housing.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1,300 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 members 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:

• NPS social media training
• Interpretation and/or education training
• Interpretive writing
• Anti-Harassment
• Teambuilding
• Digital Accessibility
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by 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).
• A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-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.
• Member 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 https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position will be enthusiastic about public lands, digital strategy and engagement, and the National Park Service.
• While no degree is required, knowledge of digital media strategy, graphic design, website development, social media engagement, digital accessibility, journalism, photojournalism, photography, apps, etc are preferred.
• Ability and willingness work independently as part of a dispersed team is important, but acting as park of a team is critical. Willingness to independently learn new tasks and seek out trainings, if needed.
• Deep interest in customer service, digital community, digital engagement, National Park Service, Conservation, Public Land Stewardship, Print Media, Graphic Design, or similar field preferred.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting in an office environment, some walking, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing (or other means of communication).
• Manual dexterity required for use of a computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment and cameras. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to fly in small aircrafts for over rough terrain and open water/ice may be necessary.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral, and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to [25] lbs., ability to move up to [25] pound boxes.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. Commutes into work can be tricky with darkness and winter conditions.
• Noise Environment: [Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.]
• Travel: This position may require traveling via small plane into the park.
• Winter Conditions: Persons living in Alaska in near-constant darkness should be aware of seasonal affective disorder, a type of mood disorder associated with seasonal changes. Commonly seen as depression arising during the winter months. It happens due to a disturbance in the circadian system of the body.

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.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the site or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the site will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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/1004418.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 Recruitment and Outreach Specialist Shannon Borowy at sborowy@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.