Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Rocky Mountain National Park is seeking Two Members to contribute to Interpretation & Education project alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: May 7,2023

Estimated End Date: October 7, 2023

*a 22 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Descriptions: Grand Lake, CO (Colorado River District)

This position is located high in the mountains on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. This position is duty stationed out of the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, located at 8700' on the west slope of the continental divide, approximately two miles north of the village of Grand Lake, Colorado. Near the park are a few small rural communities (Grand Lake and Granby being the nearest). Small markets, some shopping, and several restaurants can be found in Grand Lake. Supermarkets are in Granby (25 min.) and Fraser (40 min.). The nearest movie theater is in Winter Park (45 min.). From Memorial Day weekend through mid-October, weather permitting, Trail Ridge Road is open through the park, to park headquarters and the town of Estes Park, Colorado (1 hr 30 min). The large urban city of Denver is approximately 2 hours away.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please visit: nps.gov/ROMO.

Position Overview: Interpretation: assist with visitor orientation and information at Kawuneeche Visitor Center, Alpine Visitor Center, and on trails. Assist with presenting informal interpretation, short interpretive programs, pop-ups, and demonstrations at the Holzwarth Historic Site, visitor centers, and within the first mile of popular trails and scenic overlooks. Provide safety messaging and informal interpretation in the evenings during elk rut. May have the opportunity to craft social media posts or website content.

Education: assists with on-site k-12 education programs in the Kawuneeche Valley.

Topics of programs include Geology, Ecology, Biology, Local History, Navigation, and

Writing. Assist education lead with curriculum and activities updates by inventorying

and ordering supplies. May have opportunities to update or develop activities.

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle, feel, indicate directions. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other routine office equipment as well as hand tools and interpretive props. Often required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Must be able to walk over a mile on uneven ground and/or trails with or without reasonable accommodation.

Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently lifts up to 15 pounds, occasionally lifts up to 30 pounds. Rarely lifts larger loads with another person or assistance from a tool such as a dolly.

Environmental: Approximately 40% of the work will be in a climate controlled, shared office setting or standing at a desk in the climate-controlled visitor center. The other 60% will be primarily outdoors. Wildlife hazards include moose and elk which move through the meadows adjacent to Holzwarth Historic Site and other popular sites. It is imperative that all staff have situational awareness and give space to wildlife.

Summers are typically mild to cool with daytime temperatures averaging in the 70s and evening temperatures in the 30s or 40s. Temperatures become cooler and winds stronger at higher elevations in the park. Carrying layers is suggested. We typically see afternoon thunderstorms which pose a hazard at high elevation. During thunderstorms staff must shelter indoors or in a car and should not remain out in the open. The sun is strong and can burn quickly when shade is unavailable.

Travel: This position requires nearly daily travel within the first 10 miles into the park, weekly travel of up to 20 miles into the park, and occasional travel to the east side of the park. (Up to a 1.5 hour one-way drive.) All driving on duty will be in a government vehicle.

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: Five 8-hour days (positions may work weekends, evenings, and holidays) and two days off in a row. Work day usually starts between 7am to 11am depending on daily duties.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $400/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program,valued up to $2474.27 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hrs.

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

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a 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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.Rocky Mountain National Park government housing is within shared units with housemates. Some housing units may require the member to share a room with one additional mate

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 bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as environmental studies, natural sciences, anthropology, American history, geology, forestry, resource management, or a similar area.
• Knowledge of fishing practices, customer service, public speaking, interpretation, and working with intergenerational audiences.
• Ability and willingness to learn and communicate information about the resources of Rocky Mountain National Park and the human history of the area including homesteading and guest ranching practices such as fly fishing, cattle roping, and historic games.
• Deep interest in natural and human history, stewardship, and public service.

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 Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Emanuel Aragon Cruz, 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.