Community Volunteer Ambassador – Fort Scott National Historic Site

Position Details: 

Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) Program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train a diverse group of emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to local communities. 

The CVA will engage youth, community members, and potential volunteers of similar age and diversity. We are hoping to be able to speak to, understand the motivations, and meet the needs of these individuals and groups to increase engagement. 

The park has historically had living history volunteers on site every weekend providing connections to traditional stories. With a younger, more diverse, cadre of volunteers, the park can not only meet its goal of maintaining its historic gardens and sharing the traditional stories, but it can begin making better connections to all of the site's stories, including the African and Native American experiences of the area. 

Additionally, through a more diverse cadre of volunteers, visitors will feel safer engaging in the communication that facilitates meaningful, relevant, and inclusive experiences that deepen understanding, broaden perspectives, and inspire engagement. 

Position Responsibilities: 

• Finding inroads to underrepresented and marginalized groups, engaging them with the park, and providing opportunities for learning and skill building. 

• Schedule and meet with community members and groups. 
• Engagement with these groups to be empowered to share the larger story of the site. 
• Increase overall volunteer participation in programs, events, and operations. 
• Develop park stewards. Provide planning, leadership, coordination and direction for the park with regards to the management of information and communications, both internally and externally. 

CVA Minimum Requirements: 

• Energetic/enthusiastic 
• Able to successfully work independently and on a team 
• Self motivated 

• Creative 
• Inclusive 
• Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in early April 2023 
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident  
• Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old) 

• High School Diploma/GED  
• Pass fingerprint-based FBI, state criminal, and a national sex offender checks.   
• Be able to provide proof of a driver’s license and complete a MVR check 

• Must be over 21 years old or have had license for at least 3 years to be insured in this position 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Personable 
• Good oral and written communication 
• Experience engaging general public and diverse groups. 

Additional Information: 

Will provide training and guidance on resume building, interpretation and educational techniques, and outreach. Some weekend and/or evening work may be required based on community needs. Driver’s license is necessary for using government vehicles to meet with community groups. Vehicle is beneficial for groceries and recreation. Position may collaborate with other Kansas and Missouri sites to accomplish program goals. 

Benefits: 

• CVA will receive a weekly stipend of $500 (additional $65/week, if housing is not provided) 
• Limited health care/childcare benefits 
• The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award $6,495.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of the program 

• Professional development funds  
• Networking opportunities within the National Park Service and partnering organizations 
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority 
• Week-long in-person training at NPS site with travel/meal expenses covered. 

How to Apply 

Please visit Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) to review “Member Positions” by region and find instructions on how to apply.  

The CVA position will start on Monday, February 6th, 2023, and run for 50 weeks until Friday, January 19th 2024. Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application. Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references. 

Please ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the CVA program, your experience working with diverse populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in. 

Applications Deadline 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early November. Final deadline is Friday, December 9th. 

For Application Questions: 

Please contact Geoff Elliot, Program Director at gelliot@conservationlegacy.org 

Stewards Individual Placements Program does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all.