NH Corps Interpretive Ranger

WHY BE AN INTERPRETIVE RANGER WITH THE SCA, NH CONSERVATION CORPS?

Are you interested in environmental education, park interpretation, outdoor recreation, conservation, science, and/or cultural history? You will get to experience each of these career pathways all while living in and serving New Hampshire State Parks! This position will provide you with real-world experience where you will gain skills in program development, management, marketing, networking, and evaluation. The skills learned and professional development opportunities offered throughout this position are invaluable! This experience is what YOU make it, and the NH Corps is here to guide you as you take the next step in reaching your career goals.  

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US:
The SCA NH Corps is a collaboration between the SCA, the New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, and AmeriCorps, with generous contributions from Eversource Energy. Since 1994 the SCA NH Corps has provided over one million hours of service to the great little state of New Hampshire while training young adults to do valuable conservation work. Each year 27 young adult volunteers (18 Field Crew and 9 Interpretive Rangers) contribute thousands of service hours, providing environmental education programs to the state’s residents and visitors and completing conservation service projects to improve and protect the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational resources from the Atlantic Coast to the White Mountains and beyond. 

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Expected Dates: Start by Monday 22, 2024 – October 31, 2024

Location:
75 South Main Street
Unit 7, PMB 116
Concord, NH 03301
US

NH Corps Interpretive Rangers serve as part of the  Discover the Power of Parks (DPP) program team. The purpose of this unique program is to engage visitors with the natural, cultural, and recreational resources of New Hampshire. In this position you will connect residents and visitors through fun and engaging programs throughout your service term. 

April – Mid-June – Training and Spring Outreach Season:

During this time, you will be living at Bear Brook State Park with the other Interpretive Rangers and Field Crew Members.  Throughout training you will learn from experienced NHCC staff, and other professionals in the field. In addition to the trainings listed below in the “position benefits” summary, you would also receive training in: 

• SCA, AmeriCorps, and NH State Park policies and protocols 
• Leadership development and teamwork  
• Hands-on experience in education, including program development, lesson and curriculum planning, and a variety of evaluation methods 
• Educational pedagogies and various learning/teaching styles (such as place-based education, hands on and experiential learning, multiple intelligences, and teaching to multi-age audiences) 
• New England natural and cultural history and local ecology  
• Outdoor recreation skills including camping, hike safe, and Leave No Trace 

During May you will work in education teams to deliver outreach programs in the Merrimack Valley Region of NH.  During this time, as well as during the Fall Outreach season, you will be providing service for: 

• Elementary and middle school classes 
• Multi-age afterschool programs 
• Libraries 
• Community centers 
• Clubs such as 4-H and scout troops 

The first 2 weeks of June include the Certified Interpretive Guide training, from the National Association for Interpretation, and program planning before heading to your assigned park(s). 

Mid-June through Mid-October – DPP programming

During this time members serve in the field at one or more, but not all, of the following NH State Parks:  

• Monadnock State Park – Jaffrey, NH 
• Greenfield State Park – Greenfield, NH 
• White Lake State Park – Tamworth, NH 
• Umbagog Lake State Park - Cambridge, NH 
• Pawtuckaway State Park - Nottingham, NH 
• Bear Brook State Park - Allenstown, NH 
• Franconia Notch State Park – Franconia/Lincoln, NH 
• Pillsbury State Park – Washington, NH 
• Sunapee State Park – Newbury, NH 
• Miller State Park -Peterborough, NH 

During your time at your designated park, you will assist with visitor services and develop and deliver environmental, cultural, and recreational programs. You live at your NH State parks and may serve and live individually or with another member.  From mid-June – August you will create and staff educational drop-in tables or run 45 minutes to hour long interactive programs for multi age groups. During this time, you will develop programs, create monthly programmatic calendars, and engage with park visitors to promote your programs and enhance their park experience through visitor service activities. 

September – Mid-October – Fall Outreach Season and continuation of DPP programs. 

After Labor Day until Indigenous Peoples Day, you may spend half your week delivering outreach programs for organizations in the communities surrounding your park. The remainder of your week, mainly Friday night through Sunday, will be spent delivering programs or assisting with visitor services at your park(s). Depending on park placement(s), some individuals may only deliver DPP programs and will not be involved in community outreach programs.

Mid-October – October 31st – Season Wrap Up:

For the last several weeks of the program, in October, everyone will return to the NH Corps site at Bear Brook.  During this time folks clean and return gear, complete facilities projects to get camp ready for winter, finish programmatic paperwork, and celebrate before everyone departs for their next adventure. 
 
Through this 7-month commitment you will serve communities throughout New Hampshire while contributing as active members of the SCA NH AmeriCorps program.

POSITION BENEFITS: 

• Living Allowance $6,820 
• All food is provided – estimated value is $1705. 
• Housing is provided – estimated value is $4,000. 
• AmeriCorps Education Award $4,826.50, for qualifying educational expenses and loans, upon completion the term of service April-October and at least 1200 hours 
• Health Insurance – $453.27 per month 
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) $700 – includes CPR. 
• Certified Interpretive Guide training – $400 
• Leave No Trace – Trainer Certification – $150 
• NH State Park day use pass for the 2024 season 

Bear Brook State Park: 
This position is unique in that service takes place all over the state. However, the program’s home base, which includes rustic cabins, is Spruce Pond Camp within Bear Brook State Park (BBSP). BBSP is the largest developed state park in New Hampshire with over 10,000 acres and 40 miles of trails. Whether you are headed from here to do service or just have fun recreating you will certainly enjoy the trails, ponds, wildlife, and other gems this park and state have to offer.  

Requirements in Order to Serve: 

• US citizenship  
• High school diploma or GED 
• At least 21 years old  
• A valid driver’s license for at least 3 years 
• Have a reliable personal vehicle for the duration of the program 
• Ability to pass required state and federal background checks, as well as motor vehicle record check 
• A personal computer for the duration of the program  
• Commit to completing the entire 7-month service term from April 1 – October 31 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Passion and enthusiasm for the nature, outdoor recreation, ecology, environmental conservation, cultural history, and national service  
• Interest in education and teaching   
• Ability to work independently as well as a member of a team 
• Strong time management skills and attention to detail  
• Flexible and adaptable 
• Self-motivation  
• Public speaking experience  
• Willingness to camp and cook outdoors for extended periods of time 
• Creativity for developing engaging lessons and activities is a plus 

Training Provided: Education Program Development, Management, Delivery, and Evaluation NH Natural History Wilderness First Responder & CPR Certified Interpretive Guide Leave No Trace Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Leadership and Teamwork Risk Management & More!

Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Additional educational opportunities may include trainings provided by AmeriCorps, NH environmental organizations, and UNH Cooperative Extension. Also, NH is an outdoor recreational paradise with every activity available at your doorstep.

Professional Development Opportunities: NH Conservation Corps members will have an abundance of opportunities to learn many skills, volunteer with environmental and other local nonprofit organizations throughout NH, and learn from one another.