Communications and Public Affairs Assistant – Everglades National Park

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, Everglades National Park and Dry Tortugas National Park, is seeking ONE Member to serve as the Communications and Public Affairs Assistant and contribute to public communication projects alongside NPS Staff.

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

Anticipated Start Date: January 22, 2024 (may be flexible for the right candidate)
Estimated End Date: January 25, 2025
*a 53-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Everglades National Park, Homestead, FL 

This position will be stationed at Everglades National Park and will support both Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. 

Everglades National Park protects the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States with more than 1.5 million acres of sawgrass prairies, pine rocklands, hardwood forest, and an extensive mangrove estuary leading to Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Established in 1947 as the first national park created for its biodiversity, Everglades National Park is home to many critically threatened and endangered species including the Florida panther, the American crocodile and the West Indian manatee. The park is also the main source of drinking water for residents of South Florida. The northern section of the park is accessible via Miami or Everglades City, the southern section is accessible through Homestead. 

Dry Tortugas National Park is located 70 miles west of Key West is the Gulf of Mexico. This remote 100-square mile park is mostly open water with seven small islands. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, the park is known for magnificent Fort Jefferson, picturesque blue waters, superlative coral reefs and marine life, and the vast assortment of bird life that frequents the area.

For more information about Everglades National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/ever/index.htm

For more information about Dry Tortugas National Park, please visit https://www.nps.gov/drto/index.htm

Position Overview:  

The ACE member will provide support to the Office of Communications and Public Affairs for Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. The primary role will be managing social media and supporting digital communications for both parks. Following established guidelines, this position will manage, research, create and post content to social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for both Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. In addition to soliciting ideas from park staff, the Member will research trends and make recommendations to the park teams. The Member will have an opportunity to contribute and build their own digital communication knowledge and skills to enhance and influence the park’s public and Internal communications. They will gain understanding of agency use of social media for engaging the public and building stewardship for the parks. In addition to gaining knowledge of the National Park Service (NPS) mission, natural and cultural resources of the park, and communications techniques, the Member will have the opportunity to interact with NPS staff from different professions and aspects of the parks. 

Schedule: Primary work days are Monday through Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Occasional weekend work may be required. Schedule also allows for some flexibility, especially for enrolled university students. More information regarding expected hours and schedule flexibility will be covered in the interview process.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute about 32-40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $770/week to 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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. 

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 orientation to the South Florida National Parks and Preserve, safety, digital communications, and other NPS and park-specific trainings. 

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 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.
• 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 a Bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as digital communications.
• Knowledge of social media, photography and videography, post-video production, digital photo processing.
• Ability and willingness to learn on the job, collaborate with others, research specific topics, interview subject matter experts.
• Deep interest in digital communications, public affairs, broader communications, and science or the environment.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to walk on and off trails of various surfaces including rough, uneven surfaces and through water, mud, and tall grasses.
• 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 [10] lbs., ability to move up to [40] pounds.
• Environmental: Requires indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. Also requires periodic outdoor work in varying conditions from high temperatures and humidity with full sun to occasional cold and damp conditions. Some situations may have biting insects such as mosquitoes. May require transportation by boat, off-road vehicle or plane.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require travel between Everglades and Dry Tortugas National Parks. Travel costs will be covered by ACE/NPS.

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.