Community Volunteer Ambassador - Weir Farm 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.
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
Weir Farm National Historical Park, the only National Park Service site dedicated to American painting, is one of the nation’s finest remaining landscapes of American art. The 68-acre park includes the historic Weir House, Weir and Young Studios, barns, gardens, and Weir Pond. The park offers an abundance of exciting, fun programs to the public, including art workshops, wellness programs like Yoga in the Garden, and special tours. The park is located in Wilton and Ridgefield, Connecticut approximately 60 miles north of New York City and 50 miles west of Hartford. The site is located in a residential area. Amenities are typical of urban/suburban areas and include a variety of educational and cultural opportunities, as well as professional, commercial, and health services. Additional information about Weir Farm can be found on the park's website (http://www.nps.gov/wefa) and information about the Fairfield County area can be found at (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairfield_County).
Weir Farm has a well-established volunteer program with about 70 regular volunteers that work in visitor services or natural resource management. In recent years, the program has grown to include service learning groups and public volunteer service days. The CVA will continue to grow the existing program and assist in managing the core group of volunteers, while also envisioning ways to grow and improve the program and to reach out to new audiences.
Position Summary
The CVA will work as part of the volunteer management team at Weir Farm, and play a key role in volunteer recruitment, training, scheduling, recognition, and program management. The CVA will serve coordinate group service projects with underserved youth, Veterans and Active Military Families, and other groups of diverse backgrounds and abilities. The CVA will plan and lead service activities for national days of service, including National Public Lands Day and National Trails Day. The CVA will also implement an outreach plan focused on community engagement and youth audiences that includes social media, website, and community event participation. The CVA will also be trained in visitor service and interpretation, and have the opportunity to provide programs to K-12 youth, seniors, groups, and general visitors. Additionally, based on the interests and skills of the CVA, projects and professional development opportunities will be identified to enhance the park’s offerings and the CVA’s experience. The CVA will have a proactive role in connecting
people across a diverse spectrum geographically, socio-economically, and of different ages.
Position Responsibilities:
CVA's responsibilities include:
- Collaborate with the park’s Volunteer Coordinator to enhance the Volunteers-in-Parks program, including recruitment, onboarding, training, mentoring, scheduling, and recognizing volunteers and assisting with administrative duties such as tracking hours and managing paperwork/files.
- Contribute to the park’s web-based, digital, and social media
- Participate in public outreach programs and update the park’s Outreach Strategy
- Lead public programs including tours of the Weir House, service-learning projects, youth programs, and curriculum-based education activities
- Contribute to Art in the Park programs including art workshops and maintaining art supplies
- Completed an engagement project based on skills, interests, and needs – i.e. a web-based tour, publication, plan, or other project that is focused on engaging new audiences either at the park, in the community, or virtually online
- Work collaboratively with curatorial, facilities, and natural resource divisions to plan volunteer and community events
- Schedule for this position is Wednesday to Sunday April – October and Monday to Friday November
– March.
CVA Minimum Requirements:
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and writing skills
- Ability to bend, lift, and carry
- Willingness to work outdoors and in variable temperatures (hot, cool, and humid)
- Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, ) – Adobe InDesign and Photoshop experience is a plus
- Ability to work with park staff, independently or in a group
- Positive attitude, ethical, honest, reliable, punctual, and professional
- Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in early April 2023
- Be a 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
- 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
- The candidate must be professional, honest, reliable, and demonstrate attention to
- Applicants must demonstrate strong communication, interpersonal, computer, research, writing, and organizational skills.
- Experience working with volunteers or diverse audiences including youth, or leading interpretive, arts-related, or stewardship programs is a plus.
- Flexibility, teamwork, and a positive attitude is a must!
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
Additional Information
- Typical schedule is Wednesday through Sunday from 8:45 am to 5:15
- Weekend and holiday work is required, and occasionally days off are switched to accommodate training opportunities and operational needs.
- The CVA will work Monday to Friday December through March, then switch to a Wednesday to Sunday schedule with Monday/Tuesday off from April through November during the park’s operating season.
- There is NO PARK HOUSING at Weir Farm
WEFA makes enrichment of park staff, interns, and volunteers a priority and offers many opportunities throughout the year. The intern will participate in off-site enrichment such as visiting local museums and historic sites during staff training days, as well as be offered opportunities within the park. Interns receive a membership to the New England Museum Association and have the opportunity to visit other New England museums and historic sites. Additionally, the intern will visit other national park sites (Northeast Museum Service Center, ROVA, SPAR, COLT, New York parks, etc) and have to opportunity to connect with other NPS employees. The park has an active WE (workforce enhancement/workplace enrichment) Committee dedicated to making WEFA the best place to work. This committee organizes and plans a variety of recreational and social opportunities for staff to participate in during and after work hours including food drives, all staff hikes, staff yoga in the park, staff picnics, etc. WEFA fosters a very inclusive work environment with a high functioning team of park volunteers, interns, and employees of which the intern will be a valued member. WEFA and the neighboring Weir Preserve has miles of hiking trails, and there are many state, county, and local parks nearby with recreational opportunities as well. The park is also just a short train ride away from New York City, and many interns enjoy all the city has to offer. Additionally, the intern will be provided a comprehensive training and enrichment plan that includes working cross- divisionally to gain skills and experience in a variety of fields including natural resources, facilities management, curatorial, and visitor services.
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. The first review will occur in early November. The final deadline is Friday, December 23rd.
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.