Water Lab & Utility Shop Service Member
Position Title: NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – Water Lab & Utility Shop Service Member – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements - East
Site Location: NPS – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
12447 Wisniewski Road, Empire, MI 49630
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 05/26/2026
- End Date: 08/21/2026
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450Hours (13 Weeks)
Purpose:
Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps affiliated program that provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the health of natural areas. Stewards, in partnership with SLEEPING BEAR DUNES NATIONAL LAKESHORE (SLBE), are seeking a service member who will assist in the operation and maintenance of utility systems that support park facilities and visitor services.
This position will focus on tasks such as monitoring and dosing chlorinated drinking water systems, inspecting septic systems, performing routine equipment maintenance, and conducting system inspections. The service member will also help with accurate record keeping ensuring compliance with environmental and safety standards. This opportunity provides hands-on experience in utility systems management while contributing to the preservation of natural resources within a National Park setting.
Description of Duties:
- Learn dilution ratios and dosing rates to dose water systems with a chlorine solution.
- Test residual chlorine levels at various park locations and documentation.
- Collect routine water samples for bacterial testing.
- Conducting septic system inspections and reporting findings to support proper waste management.
- Assist USRO in the oversight of a Parkwide Utility Infrastructure Project
- Members will observe contractors completing work on water and wastewater projects and be included in weekly meeting updates.
- Assist USRO in Technical review of Water/Wastewater components of this project.
- Operate light trucks and other vehicles to access systems and move supplies and materials.
- Collect water samples and perform water testing in accordance with Standard Methods and State Requirements.
- Record water and wastewater data (e.g., meter readings) on local, state, and federal forms.
- Perform general maintenance and cleanup to pumphouses, treatment plants, laboratories, and vehicles.
- Analyze water results and make corrections to treatment processes.
- Assist with wastewater system maintenance and pumping operations.
- Complete hard copy and electronic paperwork, forms, and data-entry; compile and review information and create draft reports.
- Job shadow other employees and work groups to gain exposure to other career paths and facets of park operations.
- Prepare documents and reports using tablets, GIS, data management and word processing software.
Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
- At least 18 years of age, Veterans up to 35 years of age.
- Ability to commit to a 13-week experience of combined training and hands-on work
- 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.
- A willingness to learn skills and safety protocols.
- Adaptability to changing circumstances.
- Operate as a good team member within work crew and follow daily direction and effective communication.
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that people with disabilities are provided with 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 of 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 recruitment process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
- Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday at a full-time capacity of 40 hours a week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
- Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
- Fully On-Site
Orientation and Training:
- Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Will receive direct supervision and hands-on training from a WG-4742-07 Utility Systems Operator Repairer. They will work alongside the USOR until they demonstrate the ability to perform routine tasks independently.
- Member will gain practical experience in water treatment, wastewater systems, equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance.
- Member will have access to DOI Talent, safety training, Blood Borne Pathogens, Lock out tag out, and ethics training.
- Opportunities for cross-training in other areas of the maintenance department may be available, providing broader exposure to facility operations.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
- Living Allowance of $520 a week + Additional Benefit of $200 a week (equivalent to $18/hr)
- Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
- Park Housing Available
- Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
- Childcare Coverage if Eligible
- Loan forbearance if Eligible
- Interest Payments if Eligible
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.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
STE Program Staff:
Kahla Stewart
Program Coordinator
Stewards Individual Placements
(423) 402-6004
kstewart@conservationlegacy.org
Service Site Staff:
Cory Plamondon
Maintenance Mechanic Supervisor
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
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 accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.