Education Assistant Member- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, is seeking ONE Education Assistant member to contribute to education programming and efforts alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1063279 

Start Date: Late February/Early March flexibility

Estimated End Date: 16 weeks after the anticipated start date

*a 16-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hodgenville, KY

This position is located at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park located in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Hodgenville is a small town of about 3,000 residents located in central, rural Kentucky. It is located approximately 45 miles south of Louisville. There is no public transportation access to the park. Intern will be expected to provide their own personal vehicle for travel during the internship duration. Hodgenville has a local elementary school, high school and 2 small grocery stores. The closest town is located approximately 12 miles away in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Elizabethtown has schools, a hospital, shopping and restaurants.

Park is made up of 2 Units separated by 10 miles: Birthplace Unit – where the Symbolic Cabin and MB are as well as site of Boundary Oak Tree and Sinking Spring; also have a traditional visitor center with museum, store and orientation film; Boyhood Home Unit at KC: have historic cabin, path to Knob Creek; rural setting, trails and historic Tavern which serves as a visitor center; the intern will be expected to work both sites

For more information about Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, please visit: www.nps.gov/abli

Position Overview: The ACE Member will work closely with the NPS staff to contribute to educational programing efforts. The projected duties are outlined as followed:

• Work with education and interpretive staff as part of a project team, with a special focus on the Every Kid Outdoors program.
• Assist with reaching out to area schools to coordinate and schedule school visits and field trips to Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial.
• Facilitate Every Kid Outdoors virtual pre-visits for participating 4th grade students.
• Facilitate educational programs and lead interpretive hikes at Lincoln Boyhood.
• Engage with visitors, on the phone and in person, and respond to information requests.

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: Work will be on Mondays to Friday, shifts will be 8 hours long and will range between the hours of 5:00am and 5:15pm (EST)

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.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided park housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

The selected individual for this internship will live in park housing. The park houses were built in the late 1950s when the park’s Birthplace Unit Visitor Center was built. Each house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The intern will have their own bedroom but will have to share the bathrooms. Common areas will also be shared and include a kitchen, dining room and living room area. The house is fully furnished, and the park also provides a land-line telephone, cable TV and Wi-Fi internet access at no additional cost to the intern.

The house contains a washer and dryer as well as a microwave, oven and refrigerator in the kitchen. The kitchen is also supplied with plates, glasses, cutlery, as well as some pots and pans. The park has provided a limited amount of sheets, blankets, and towels for interns to use, but all of these items are shared among house members. Selected individuals are strongly encouraged to bring some of their own personal items, such as bedding and kitchen supplies, to make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.

Every individual who stays in park housing is required to read the park’s housing manual and comply with all rules and regulations. The selected individual will be required to sign that they have read the manual and agree to all rules and regulations. Failure to comply with the park’s housing manual may be cause for dismissal.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $500 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 park overview and orientation and training in the following areas: education program delivery, customer service skills, interpretation, and public speaking.

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 background investigation
• 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 BA or BS college degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as public speaking, communication, education, youth development, childcare, coaching, camp counselor,
• Knowledge of public speaking, computer skills, software such a Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Skype/Zoom/Microsoft Teams, history, and science.
• Ability and willingness to work with children of all ages, provide formal education programs both at the park and in local school classrooms.
• Deep interest in inspiring youth and school-aged children to care about stories of the past and science.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires 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 telephone, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• 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 pounds, ability to move up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Will work in both 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 may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, 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.