Interpretive Visitor Services Member

Interpretive Visitor Services Member   

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Whitman Mission National Historic Site, is seeking 1 Member to contribute to Interpretive project alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: As soon as possible
Estimated End Date: 18 weeks after the start date
*a 18-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Whitman Mission National Historic Site is located west of Walla Walla, Washington (population 34,000) in the Walla Walla Valley. Whitman Mission features several trails, a monument to the Whitman family, and a museum displaying Cayuse art and artifacts. There is cell phone reception throughout the area.

For more information about Whitman Mission, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:  Whitman Mission National Historic Site is seeking to place one member to serve as ACE Interpretive Members alongside Interpretive Rangers at the park. The ACE member will be expected to research the history of Whitman Mission National Historic Site (WHMI) in order to develop and present interpretive programs to the public, regularly hike park trails, engage the public through formal programs and informal contacts, and sell merchandise. The selected member will receive two weeks of orientation where they will learn about the NPS mission and mission statement, the park and park partners, and the surrounding area. The member will receive CPR and First Aid certification and the opportunity to work with other park staff and divisions. The member will be supervised by the Supervisory Park Ranger to provide direction and assistance to the member and meet with them on a regular basis, at least twice weekly to discuss upcoming projects and responsibilities. The Park will provide office space, computer, telephone, and other office tools for the performance of their standard duties. Opportunities are available for the member to assist in a variety of natural and cultural resource management and maintenance projects.

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: Anticipated schedule is Wednesday-Sunday from 8am-4:30pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/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 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 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 CPR/First Aid, interpretive 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website. 

Preferred:

• Comfortable speaking in front of audiences.
• 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.
• 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 Native American 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. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 30 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.  

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

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.