Community Volunteer Ambassador – Valley Forge National Historical Park
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.
Site Description:
Located approximately 20 miles northwest of center city Philadelphia, Valley Forge was the site of the 1777-78 winter encampment of George Washington and the Continental Army. The park commemorates the sacrifices and perseverance of the Revolutionary War generation and honors the ability of citizens to pull together and overcome adversity during extraordinary times. Valley Forge National Historical Park (VAFO) is home to over 1,300 species of vascular plants and vertebrates, contains a variety of vegetation communities (e.g. forest, meadows, wetlands), and includes significant water resources (e.g. Schuylkill River, Valley Creek). Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site (HOFU), a smaller national park central to the Hopewell Big Woods, is also managed by VAFO natural resource staff. VAFO natural resources has a robust volunteer program. Pre-Covid we generally had over 7000 volunteer hours and over 500 volunteers per year. For some projects, the majority of the volunteers and volunteer hours were from youth under age 18. Post-Covid, we are back up to over 3000 volunteer hours from about 200 volunteers, and are continuing to re-build.
Position Summary
The CVA position will be a mix of field and office work; the person selected for this position should be equally comfortable in both environments. The CVA will work with park partners to develop and implement a more automated scheduling system for our most popular VIP programs (Weed Warriors and Crayfish Corps). The CVA, in close cooperation with the ecologist, will also be responsible for organizing, promoting, and coordinating monthly Park after Dark citizen science series at VAFO and HOFU. The CVA will work with staff and volunteers on a variety of other projects, providing leadership for volunteers and promoting the volunteer program.
Position Responsibilities:
- Work with park partners to develop and implement a more automated scheduling system for our most popular VIP programs
- In close cooperation with the ecologist, will also be responsible for organizing, promoting, and coordinating monthly Park after Dark citizen science series at VAFO and HOFU.
- Work with volunteers on NRM projects, offering leadership and guidance
- Prepare social media postings about NRM volunteer activities and projects to raise public awareness about opportunities
- Assist with promotion / recruitment for summer positions
Minimum Requirements:
- Coursework or experience biological/environmental sciences (e.g. wildlife and fisheries science, biology, forestry, environmental science, etc.),parks/recreation management, and or volunteer management.
- Must possess a valid driver’s license
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Activities will require the ability to hike up to 5-7 miles per day across varied terrain and to operate basic mechanical and electronic equipment and may include exposure to extreme weather conditions, herbicides, poisonous plants, stinging and biting insects and wild animals.
- 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:
- Major in a field related to the biological/environmental sciences (e.g. wildlife and fisheries science, biology, forestry, environmental science, etc.), or parks or recreation management with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
- Experience working with Microsoft Office products (e.g. Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Geographic Information Systems (e.g. ArcGIS), and experience with global positioning systems.
- Spanish language skills
Additional Information:
Work schedule from May to October is Tuesday-Saturday to accommodate volunteer groups on the weekends. Otherwise it will be Mon-Fri.
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.
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.