Interpretation Member

Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, is seeking 1 Member to contribute to Interpretive visitor service projects alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: 8/20/2024

Estimated End Date: 02/01/2025

*a 24-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description:

Located in the Portland/Vancouver metropolitan area, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is in Vancouver, WA, along the Columbia River. Fort Vancouver is a significant cultural and historic landmark and serves a popular recreational area. Along with being a recreational area for the community, the site serves as a major landmark for indigenous people history, the fur trade story, and early U.S Army history. The site includes a reconstructed fur trading post, air museum, and visitor center. The primary location site for the member will be at the visitor center.

For more information about Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

The Member participates closely with National Park rangers to provide a quality visitor experience for the public. The Member will also have opportunities to design, deliver, and evaluate programs in the park. Projects may include developing new materials, maintaining program statistics, and creating visual aids.

The Member will conduct basic research of topics for the purpose of developing and presenting interpretative programs, both orally and/or in writing. The Member will present a variety of formal and informal programs, including orientation talks, conducted walks, and cultural demonstrations.

Main area of responsibility will be to staff the park’s visitor center. The Member will learn park resources by reviewing published maps, park research materials, and other documents previously prepared by park rangers / other professionals and by talking with park staff. The Member may also assist with one-time or annual celebrations related to programs/themes of the park and other special events.

• Duties include meeting and greeting the public visitors at the Visitor Center, enthusiastically answering questions and offering interpretation about Fort Vancouver National Historic Site and the surrounding area.
• Greets visitors and responds to a variety of inquiries regarding park activities, programs, exhibits, facilities, policies, and functions.
• Ensures that the information desk at the visitor center is always staffed, answers the phone, radio and relays messages.
• Performs regular daily activities for the visitor center, including but not limited to, daily opening and closing of the facility, light exhibit cleaning duties, raising and lowering the flag, etc.
• Provides guidance to the public on rules and regulations regarding on-unit activities.
• Monitors and reports statistics such as visitor numbers and activities for project planning.
• Assist visitors with information about the Interagency America the Beautiful Pass Program.
• Administrative work including computer programs, paperwork, filing, cleaning and organization at the Visitor Information desk
• Participates with staff specialists and public affairs office to provide the latest, most accurate and appropriate information to the public.
• Provides visitors with effective instructions on security and safety procedures and informs the supervisor of visitor needs.

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:

The schedule is 5, 8-hour day shifts with two consecutive days off. The anticipated schedule is Tuesday-Saturday.

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 a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $3,447.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 900 hrs.

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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our usaconservation website.

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

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 the fundamentals of interpretation and resource based 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 criminal history checks
• 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 usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associates or bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as interpretation, education, history, conservation, parks and recreation management.
• Comfortable speaking in front of audiences.
• Has worked with underrepresented groups/perspectives in the past.
• Ability and willingness to work with school-aged visitors, and visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
• Ability and willingness to talk about complex and controversial topics
• Interest in history and the National Park Service

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.
• 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 15 lbs., ability to move up to 15 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.

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.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on the usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Member Managers, Bee Garcia or Vanessa Rogan.

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!