Summer Education Assistant - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking ONE Summer Education Assistant to assist Great Smoky Mountains National Park staff with summer outdoor programming offered to local youth groups visiting the Smokies.

Applicants located in the Asheville area are encouraged to apply.

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

Start Date: May 1st, 2023
End Date: July 28th, 2023

Note: The individual will have the week of July 3rd off and will not receive a living allowance for that week. There are 12 paid weeks over the 13 weeks of this project.

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based out of Oconaluftee Visitor Center in Cherokee, North Carolina.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is unique among America's National Parks; located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its rich diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of the ancient mountains and forests, and its preservation of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

For more information regarding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm and https://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/ovc-green-building.htm.

Position Overview: The Summer Education Assistant will assist the High School Internship Coordinator with hiring, planning activity schedule, transportation, mentoring and supervising of up to 10 summer high school interns over the course of 12 weeks. The first 6 weeks of this Assistant Coordinator position will be spent doing preparation for the high schoolers to begin as well as assisting in other educational programs for summer schools and youth groups as needed. Many of the students live in the nearby urban areas in Asheville, NC. All programs are already developed and involve the students in nature-based activities or, in the case of older groups, collecting data for long-term monitoring citizen science projects (topics include salamanders, terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates, snails and plants). Members will co-teach with park rangers and might provide leadership to younger high school interns who occasionally assist with programs. Summer programming may be virtual depending on COVID-19 and CDC safety recommendations.

The final 6 weeks will involve co-leading high school interns on their daily activities 4 days a week with one day for other priority duties.

Schedule: The member will contribute ~40 hours a week. Typical work days will be Monday through Friday, however occasional weekend service may be required. The individual will have the week of July 3rd off and that week will be unpaid (the individual will not receive a living allowance for that week).

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, housing and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $1,718.25 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Hours toward Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority: 
Eligible individuals will earn hours they can put toward the 640 hours required to earn a PLC Certificate. PLC provides two year non-competitive eligibility, from the date of the individual's completed PLC project, when applying for certain federal positions. 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 here.

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. Training may include: Orientation to the National Park Service, How to Apply for Federal Jobs, Putting together a Federal Resume, How to Develop Education Programs, How to Deliver Education Programs, and opportunities to work in the field with other divisions such as Wildlife, Vegetation and Fisheries management, trail maintenance, and archaeology.

ACE and NPS are committed to providing the most educational, rewarding, and challenging experience possible to best prepare Members for future careers in the stewardship of America's parks and public lands.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 three-part criminal history check..
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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.
• Members 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 website here: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements
• Public transportation is not available in the area so it is advisable to have a personal vehicle.

• Must be able to hike up to 3 miles in steep mountain terrain
• Must be comfortable driving a 6 passenger van with students in mountainous terrain.
• Must be comfortable with public speaking.
• Knowledge of science and basic ecological concepts.
• Knowledge and ability to use Microsoft Office calendar and Excel efficiently.
• This position will mostly work outside and will provide leadership to youth so it is important to have a positive attitude that helps set the tone for fun and exploration.

Preferred Skills:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associate's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as environmental studies, anthropology, psychology, teaching, biology, outdoor recreation.
• Knowledge of mediating conflicts.
• Ability and willingness to work with many diverse people, mentor youth.
• Deep interest in flora and fauna of Great Smoky Mountains National Park educating youth, learning more about job opportunities in the federal sector.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact EPIC NPS Recruitment Specialist, Shannon Borowy at sborowy@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.