Environmental Education Member- New River Gorge National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (NERI), is seeking ONE Environmental Education Member to contribute to outdoor and recreation education projects alongside New River Gorge National Park Staff.

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

Start Date: May 27, 2024

Estimated End Date: October 11, 2024 (or 20 weeks after start date)

* A 20-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Glen Jean, West Virginia.

NERI is located in southern West Virginia and encompasses 70,000 acres and 53 miles of one of the oldest rivers on the continent. NERI is home to a vast array of natural and cultural resources. Renowned for its recreational opportunities, NERI hosts miles of hiking and biking trails, premiere whitewater rafting, rock climbing, fishing, hunting, bird watching, and camping.

Park staff also manages the nearby Bluestone National Scenic River (BLUE) and Gauley River National Recreation Area (GARI). BLUE protects 10.5 miles of free-flowing river and offers a rich variety of natural resources and history along the Bluestone Turnpike Trail. GARI protects 25 miles of the Gauley River and 6 miles of Meadow River. Known for its multiple class V rapids, GARI is one of the most adventurous rivers in the east.

For more information about the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, please visit their website at: https://www.nps.gov/neri/index.htm.

Position Overview: New River Gorge National Park and preserve seeks to employ a local youth to assist in the expansion of our existing program. NRGNPP has seen a dramatic increase in visitation since the name change to national park from national river. The name change, while increasing visitation has also broadened the gap with local youth experiencing the wonders around them in WV. The five surrounding counties that the park encompasses will be targeted through school programming and building relationships with community leaders.

Fishing clinics will be held as a single day event, multiple times through the summer and fall. On those days, the park’s aquatic ecologist, rangers, and interns will host casting demonstrations, macroinvertebrate studies, and contribute to one of three citizen science projects. The Blotchy Bass Syndrome citizen science project will be the target of the fishing clinics. Their contributions will be recognized through social media and local news channels to encourage continued engagement in our local communities.

The goal is to empower youth through local, state and national citizen science projects. The desired outcome of this project is to create a sustainable fishing and citizen science program that targets local youth and then employs them through internships as the youth grow older.

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: Flexible/ 40 hours per week with weekend work expected (30-minute lunch break)

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $475/week to offset the costs of food, housing, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $2,626.27 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hours.

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 child care 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: ACE Members may be accommodated in provided housing at $325.40/month for the duration of the term, depending on room availability. If a room is not available, housing will be the responsibility of the Member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

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. See “Position Overview” section for provided position specific training.

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).
• 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
• 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 an associates or bachelors degree in anything outdoor related, education, communication fields.
• Knowledge of publishing documents, creating programming for children, strong work ethic, detail oriented person.
• Ability and willingness to be outside in all types of weather hiking, fishing, stream walking and in recreation field games.
• Deep interest in Being outside and working with kids.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and navigate field conditions.
• 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 45 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel. It will involve traveling to different sections of the park.

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 NPS 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 NPS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.