Community Volunteer Ambassador, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area – AmeriCorps
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2026 Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.
Position Title: Community Volunteer Ambassador, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements Program
Site Location: Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
151 Stable Rd, Oneida, TN 37841
Terms of Service:
Start Date: 2/23/2026
End Date: 2/5/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour Slot
Purpose:
Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, 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 emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area encompasses 125,000 acres across Kentucky and Tennessee and protects the rugged Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its surrounding forested plateau. With over 350 miles of hiking trails, as well as designated equestrian, biking, and multi-use routes, the park offers a wide range of recreational opportunities for visitors. Six visitor contact stations provide orientation, educational programming, and support for exploring the area’s array of natural and cultural resources.
Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area relies on a broad and dedicated volunteer program, coordinated by the park’s Volunteer Coordinator and supported by volunteer supervisors. Volunteers play a vital role in helping the park operate effectively across a large and geographically challenging landscape. In FY24, 192 volunteers contributed 7,548 hours of service.
Volunteers contribute to nearly every aspect of park operations, including trail work and maintenance, resource management projects, visitor services, educational programming, facility assistance, community outreach, and cleanup initiatives. Both short-term and long-term volunteers make meaningful contributions: some participate in weekly or monthly plant surveys, others assist regularly in visitor centers, and many support maintenance and resource divisions with trail work, river cleanups, and facilities workdays. Additional volunteer opportunities include photography during park projects across divisions and occasional support at multiple visitor center locations throughout the year.
Many local volunteers support the park’s three annual festivals by providing living history demonstrations, musical performances, and hands-on assistance with event operations. Their contributions are central to the success of long-standing events such as Spring Planting, Haunting in the Hills, and Ghost Mine. Local groups also participate in scheduled cleanup days along the Big South Fork River and throughout the park’s trail system.
The Volunteer Coordinator ensures that all volunteers feel valued throughout their service by offering regular recognition and appreciation. This includes distributing recognition items, providing personal thank-yous, and hosting gatherings that celebrate volunteer achievements and contributions to the park.
The Community Volunteer Ambassador Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will play a key role in expanding and strengthening the park’s Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) program, supporting community engagement, and enhancing volunteer-driven stewardship across the park’s 125,000 acres. Working closely with the park’s Volunteer Manager and Interpretation & Education Division, the CVA will help develop, coordinate, and facilitate volunteer projects, support community outreach and partnership-building, and contribute to the administration of the park’s volunteer program.
The CVA will assist with recruiting, onboarding, and supporting volunteers for a wide range of service opportunities, from trail maintenance, cleanup events, and special programs to visitor services and educational initiatives. They will also help implement new volunteer-based initiatives, including the Volunteer Trail Ambassador Program. Approximately 60% of their time will take place in an office environment focused on planning, communication, and program coordination, while the remaining time will be spent in the field supporting events, service projects, and interpretive opportunities.
Throughout their term, the CVA will gain hands-on experience in volunteer management, public engagement, leadership, and interdivisional collaboration. They will work alongside experienced park professionals, participate in staff trainings, and receive ongoing mentorship to support their professional development as future conservation leaders.
Description of Duties:
Assist the Volunteer Manager with recruiting, onboarding, and coordinating volunteers for park programs, events, and service projects.
Help develop and implement new volunteer opportunities, including the Volunteer Trail Ambassador Program focused on visitor engagement and PSAR support.
Create and post volunteer announcements on Volunteer.gov, manage applicant communications, and help process required paperwork.
Support the planning and facilitation of service projects for both adult and youth volunteer groups.
Collaborate with Interpretation & Education staff on interpretive programming, outreach initiatives, and park-wide events.
Provide volunteer orientations, deliver job-related training, and help ensure completion of safety protocols and required forms.
Assist volunteer supervisors across divisions with volunteer-related tasks to support smooth program operations.
Maintain ongoing communication with volunteers, including coordinating uniforms and assisting with scheduling.
Contribute content for newsletters and assist with planning volunteer recognition events.
Shadow staff and assist with cultural and natural resource projects, gaining hands-on experience across divisions.
Participate in division-wide trainings and work closely with staff from neighboring NPS sites.
Qualifications:
Ability to pass a federal background check.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a professional office and field environment.
Ability to safely perform physical tasks in outdoor environments, including hiking, trail work, and service projects.
Proficiency with basic computer programs, including email, Microsoft Office, and online volunteer management platforms (e.g. Volunteer.gov).
Valid driver’s license and ability to drive for park-related travel.
Must have access to reliable personal transportation for commuting to and from work and handling personal needs.
Flexibility to work varied schedules, including weekends, holidays, and special events.
United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
At least 17 years of age
Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
Preferred Qualifications:
Interest in volunteer management, conservation, public lands, and community engagement.
Effective interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
Experience engaging general public.
Flexibility to work varied schedules, including weekends, holidays, and special events.
Commitment to maintaining a welcoming, respectful, and safe workplace.
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
Typically, this position is expected to work 40 hours per week, however exact work schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Orientation and Training:
Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
Week-long, in-person training on NPS volunteer program management and leadership skills
Year-long continuum of learning supporting professional development
$750.00 in Professional Development Funds for travel and training
Additional Position and Community Information:
The CVA position provides a 40-hour workweek, primarily Thursday through Monday, which includes opportunities to work weekends and participate in special events and festivals. The CVA will have the opportunity to collaborate with staff from neighboring NPS sites, including Obed Wild and Scenic River and Manhattan Project National Historical Park – Oak Ridge, for training and interdivisional projects.
The position requires a valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to various park locations to support volunteer projects, field programs, and community outreach. Dormitory-style housing may be available, providing convenience and community for individual placements traveling from outside the local area. The CVA will gain extensive professional development opportunities, including mentorship from the Volunteer Manager and Interpretation & Education staff, hands-on training in volunteer program management, interpretive programming, and park operations.
Benefits:
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
Additional Benefit of $150.00 per week if housing is NOT provided by NPS host site at no cost to the participant.
Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
Childcare Coverage if Eligible
Loan forbearance if Eligible
Interest Payments if Eligible
10 Federal Holidays, 13 days Personal Leave, 13 days Sick Leave
Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
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 23, 2026 and run for 50 weeks until Friday, February 5, 2027.
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2026
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 different populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.
Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final deadline is Friday, January 9, 2026.
For Application Questions:
Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.