Community Volunteer Ambassador - Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
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
Sagamore Hill’s volunteer program is in transition. It is currently about 35 dedicated volunteers (mostly affluent and older) who work once a week in different divisions of the park. Volunteers provide curatorial assistance and interpretive programs. We aren't looking to increase this part of our volunteer program, but we can see getting assistance with organizing it better and preparing it for when we will need to recruit again. We would like to figure out avenues for diversity. We haven't been doing any individual or group one-day volunteer events. This is one thing we would like to work on. Examples of these project days could be beach clean up, invasive plant removal, trail rehab, etc.).
Position Summary
This CVA will become a member of our small multi-division team to enhance volunteerism, partnerships, community outreach, interpretation and education, and local youth involvement. The intern will also write and present tours/special programs, create content for the website and social medial platforms, assist signature events, receive training in National Park Service careers, programming, volunteering, etc. Since the intern will be one of a small staff his/her comments and suggestions will have a profound effect on the future of the park.
Position Responsibilities:
- Work with the mentorship of the Division of Interpretation staff to enhance park projects, volunteerism, partnerships, community outreach, interpretation, education, and local youth involvement.
- Work with the park’s Volunteer Program Manager to evaluate the current program, building on group and one-time volunteer events, assist with record keeping, onboarding new volunteers, volunteer appreciation events, training, etc.
- Conduct continual community outreach to include volunteer events and public service days, Jr Ranger Days, and more. One project will be helping to update our town kiosk displays and other ways to update our park profile within the town of Oyster Bay.
CVA Minimum Requirements:
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Ability to work with many different types of people, personalities as well as different abled populations
- Ability to take direction and finish tasks on time
- Public speaking experience
- Customer service experience
- Be able to commit to a year of full time work
- Be willing to work weekends and possibly 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
- Currently working on or have 2+ years of undergraduate or advanced degree in any related field such as history, education, communications, resource management, political science, or any other related field.
- Ideal applicant will have an outgoing and affable personality
- Experience with Adobe products, In Design, Photoshop, etc.
- Experience managing social media sites
- Youth mentorship experience
- Outreach/engagement with the public
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Self-starter, reliable, passionate and friendly
- Comfortable working in large groups
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 site is a beautiful 84-acre historical estate on the affluent North Shore of Long Island. The site sits 30 miles east of New York City. Housing is not likely to be available and housing rentals are very expensive. Non-local candidates could have a hard time finding a place to live. A driver’s license and personal vehicle is a must to commute to work. CVA will likely work one or more weekend days each week. Sagamore Hill is one of three NPS sites on Long Island and there might be a chance to collaborate with between these sites and/or with the other Roosevelt themed parks.
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.