Community Volunteer Ambassador, Rock Creek Park – 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, Rock Creek Park – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements Program
Site Location: Rock Creek Park
3545 Williamsburg Ln NW, Washington, DC 20008
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.
Rock Creek Park itself was first established in 1890 to protect the natural historical landscape of the Rock Creek Valley in Washington, DC. The Park was one of the first designated federal park units and is unique due to its proximity to an urban center. The Park protects more than 2,000 acres of the Rock Creek watershed which provide habitat for many plant and animal species. While being embedded in a metropolitan city poses many environmental challenges, one benefit is the desire of the community to come out and volunteer in their neighborhood park. Last year ROCR reported hosting over 6,000 volunteers who totaled over 25,000 hours of volunteer service. We have robust recurring volunteer programs as well as a large, event-based volunteer program. The park along with its partners run a number of volunteer programs that include SOLVE, Weed Warrior, and the Stream Team Leader program. Rock Creek Park also coordinates many service day events such as MLK day and National Public Lands Day.
The CVA at Rock Creek Park will help support volunteer programs, work with community partners, and exercise strategic outreach. The CVA will help with our current volunteer programs such as Weed Warrior, Interpretation, and Stream Team leaders. They will aim to engage volunteers in service opportunities such as invasive plant removal, native plant restoration, and litter cleanups.
Additionally, the CVA will be tasked with helping us engage new audiences. One opportunity will include assisting with a strategic recruitment plan for the volunteer program, aimed at reaching new and younger volunteers. Another is helping to facilitate the park’s adoption of volunteer.gov, allowing our program administration to be more effective and efficient. Other opportunities include developing and establishing the park’s Rover volunteer program. This is an exciting opportunity to launch a new volunteer program and see be part of every step of the process.
Rock Creek Park’s Community Volunteer Ambassador will have a passion for community outreach, help think of new ideas, and build capacity for our volunteer programs.
Description of Duties:
Identify and engage with new community members and organizations, expanding the park’s reach and awareness of our own community
Develop a strategic recruitment plan to bring on volunteers for specific volunteer opportunities, helping to align volunteer efforts with park priorities
Lead and coordinate volunteer service events
Develop trainings and orientation materials to allow for a smoother onboarding into our volunteer programs and positions
Help facilitate the adoption of Volunteer.gov across all park volunteer programs
Help the park establish a new Roving volunteer program
Develop volunteer communications materials, including social media campaigns, newsletters, etc.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
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:
Outgoing and energetic
Open-minded attitude, with a willingness to engage with community members from different backgrounds
Strong communication and written skills
Excellent time management skills
Ability to represent an organization with professionalism
Ability to work independently
Local candidates preferred
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 serve 40 hours per week, but exact service 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 site is located in Washington, DC, providing opportunities for a variety of educational, cultural, and historical experiences that are associated with a metropolitan city. Rock Creek Park does not have on-site housing available. However, DC has an expansive public transportation system that connects all four quadrants of DC with suburban Virginia and Maryland. The office the CVA will report to is reached by both metro (train) and bus. The bus stop is located on the street adjacent to the office and the metro is within a 10-minute walk.
The CVA should expect to work 40-hour weeks. The weekly schedule is generally Monday- Friday, but many volunteer events fall on weekends and evenings, especially during the summer months. Some of the CVA’s time will be spend indoors planning and strategizing community outreach, while other times will be spent outside leading or participating at events. Additionally, to allow greater flexibility, telework options may be available.
The CVA will have the opportunity to connect with staff, volunteers, and individual placements who work in interpretation and education, natural resources, partnerships, administration, and historic preservation. As a member of the ROCR team, they will have the chance to connect with staff by participating in meetings, planning, and other activities. Also, because of Rock Creek Park’s proximity to both regional and national offices, the CVA will benefit from networking opportunities and the various trainings offered at those sites. They will have the opportunity to shadow National Park staff both at ROCR and in the surrounding National Capital Region and gain additional knowledge they might not be exposed to through their position.
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.