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Community Volunteer Ambassador - Cane River Creole National Historical Park

Stewards Individual Placement Program
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Program 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. 
 
Community Volunteer Ambassadors (CVAs) support Volunteer-in-Parks programs at National Park Service sites nationwide. This ranges from National Park, National Monuments, National Battlefields, National Historic Sites, National Recreation Areas, and more. The Community Volunteer Ambassador Program was developed to support NPS sites in connecting with their local communities through service and to provide young adults with a professional development opportunity within the National Park Service. CVAs provide capacity for NPS sites to establish community partnerships, develop new volunteer opportunities, and build volunteer program resources.   
 
Site Information 
Cane River Creole represents a microcosm of a broader American experience that includes economic, social, and political changes that impacted the nation from the 1700s through the mid-1900s. Oakland and Magnolia Plantations are two of the most intact Creole cotton plantations in the United States. Generations of the same families of workers, enslaved and tenant, and owners lived on these lands for more than 200 years. The park tells their stories, even the difficult ones, so that future generations can learn from those stories. 
 
Position Summary 
The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) will help build and expand the volunteer program at Cane River Creole National Historical Park. This will include working to enhance volunteerism, partnerships, community outreach, interpretation, education, and local youth involvement. 
 
Position Responsibilities:  
  • Work with all park teams to gain insight into the volunteer needs throughout the park and to create meaningful work for volunteers 
  • Work with the park’s Volunteer Program Manager to increase volunteerism by recruiting a new cadre of inclusive and diverse volunteers 
  • Reach out to the local community and organizations for volunteer support, especially Cane River's traditionally associated people, Black, Creole, and student communities 
  • Develop short range plans to increase youth engagement through youth serving organizations including summer camps, service learning activities, and accredited volunteerism  
  • Conduct continual community outreach within the park such as include volunteer events and public service days.  
  • Assist with the creation of volunteer events (days of service, etc.) and park-specific events 
  • Post volunteer opportunities on social media and volunteer.gov 
  • One of the CVA’s main tasks will be actively engaging local residents in expanded visitor services at the park's first visitor center in the historic train depot 
  • Attend Early Service Training and other CVA trainings throughout the year (locations TBD) 
 
 
CVA Minimum Requirements: 
  • Ability to work with many different types of people and personalities as well as differently abled populations 
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills  
  • The ability to work independently as well as on a team  
  • Must be willing to work weekends and odd hours 
  • 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 
  • Ideal applicant will have an outgoing and affable personality  
  • Experience working in an office setting shared with others, including handling phoned, written and emailed inquiries  
  • Currently working on or have obtained at least a 2- year, or more advanced degree in any related field such as history, education, communications, resource management, political science, or any other related field preferred, but can be substituted for relevant experience  
  • Experience with working with individuals with diverse age and economic backgrounds 
  • Demonstrated skills in use of Microsoft products 
  • Strong organizational skills 
  • Self-starter, reliable, hard working and diligent, with attention to details 
  • Local candidates within commuting distance of the park and with knowledge of local communities are preferred 
 
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. 
 
Additional Information 
The city of Natchitoches (NACK-a-tish), the parish seat with a population of 18,000, is located 10 miles north of Oakland Plantation. Medical, dental and emergency services as well the nearest grocery and retail stores, banks, gas stations, fast food and fine dining can be found in Natchitoches. A movie theatre, bowling alley and other recreational opportunities are available. More shopping options are available in the larger cities of Shreveport or Alexandria, LA; both an hour’s drive from the park.  
 
Because Natchitoches is the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase, history abounds around every corner. Within Natchitoches Parish alone you can: explore Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, Melrose Plantation, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and the Northwest Louisiana History Museum, hike Kisatchie National Forest and explore the National Fish Hatchery and Aquarium. Cane River National Heritage Area operates the Grand Ecore Visitor Center and the site of a Spanish Fort at Los Adeas State Historic Park. Another advantage of Natchitoches is its location to larger metropolitan areas. The park is four hours from New Orleans, LA and Dallas, TX and three and a half hours from Houston, TX.  
 
Cane River Creole NHP will provide contact information for affordable housing options within the City of Natchitoches. Past housing options included both fully furnished stand-alone apartments and apartments with shared spaces within walking distance of downtown Natchitoches.  
 
Weekend work is required. The park headquarters in located in Natchitoches, LA. The two park sites are located south of Natchitoches in Natchez, LA (Oakland Plantation - 10 miles from Natchitoches) and Derry, LA (Magnolia Plantation - 20 miles from Natchitoches). Summers are hot and humid. Average rainfall is approximately 55-60 inches per year. The area is subject to severe thunderstorms, hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Facilities within a few miles of the park sites are limited to a gas station, Dollar Store, and two small cafes. Most facilities (grocery and retail stores, theater, restaurants, etc.) are in the City of Natchitoches. A Driver's license and vehicle are needed. 
 
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.