Community Volunteer Ambassador – Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
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 MISS CVA will work closely with park staff and partners to develop, implement, sustain, and promote environmental stewardship, recreational, and educational programming. The MISS CVA will be deeply embedded into 4 major programs that are vital to meeting the park's resource management goals: Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP), Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change, Community Tree Nurseries, and BIPOC Outside Twin Cities Programming. As part of their involvement with habitat restoration efforts, the CVA will co-lead the related events and projects which will include developing and promoting volunteer opportunities, volunteer recruitment, training, and coordination, as well and assisting with event planning, community education efforts, and enlisting community partners.
Site Description:
Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MISS) is a national park service site consisting of 72 miles of the Mississippi River that runs right through the metropolitan area of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota. The volunteer program supported over 5,900 volunteers that contributed more than 34,000 hours to MISS. The volunteer team consists of three permanent full-time staff, two seasonal NPS staff and up to four AmeriCorps members.
Position Responsibilities:
The CVA's responsibilities will include supporting the park in volunteer recruitment, volunteer training and volunteer event coordination, and community and partner education.
Volunteer Recruitment:
- Ability to create promotional materials via social media, event tabling, online volunteer boards, and confident public speaking (large groups)
Volunteer Training and Event Coordination:
- Ability to provide clear instruction and adapt communication style to ensure understanding
- Ability to plan logistics, schedules, delegate tasks, make decisions independently, provide feedback,
- and maintain positive relationships
- Ability to learn and use software and applications for tracking, planning, and managing volunteer
- efforts
- Ability to make educational materials
- excellent multi-tasking and time management skills
Community and Partner Education:
- Ability to conduct promotional presentations in order to gain collaborative support or raise interest
- Collaboration (Rangers, Interpreters, Scientist, Partners)
- Ability to actively listen, organize and synthesize information, be inquisitive and willing to learn
CVA Minimum Requirements:
- Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in fall/winter 2022/2023
- Be a S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old)
- Passionate about volunteer experience
- Enjoys working with folks from all different backgrounds
- Demonstrated a desire to create wonderful experiences on public
- Confident taking the lead in coordinating groups
- Flexible and decisive
- Submit proof of a Driver’s License and undergo a Federal Background Check, upon selection
- US Citizen, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States
Preferred Qualifications:
- Relevant Experience
- Conservation Corps Experience
- Outdoor Education (formal or informal instructional roles)
- Event planning and promoting
- Marketing, Sales, Customer Service
- 1-5 years of volunteerism
- Experience with initiating and seeing a project through to completion
Additional Information:
Driving Requirements - A driver's license and clean driving record (3 years) is required.
Housing - The CVA will be responsible for providing their own housing; however the park will provide advice and guidance if the CVA is not a local candidate.
Typical Schedule -
May-Oct. : Tues - Sat. 8a-4:30p + some evenings
Nov.-April: Mon.- Fri. 8a-4:30p + some evenings
Nearby Attractions and Amenities - Our office is a bustling and lively environment with lots of fun opportunities for learning and building a resume. The twin cities are an amazing place to live with great access to local city parks as well as the wilderness of northern Minnesota!
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 $6,345.00 (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
How to Apply
The CVA position will start on Monday, September 12th, 2022, and run for 50 weeks until Friday, August 25th 2023. Applicants will need to apply here: CVA Member Application 2022-2023 (September Cohort) (jotform.com)and attach a cover.
Please ensure your cover letter addresses the specific requirements and position details for this park. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites and attaching the necessary cover letters.
Applications Deadline
Please submit your application by Friday, July 15th to ensure full consideration.
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.