Community Volunteer Ambassador – Mesa Verde National 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:
Mesa Verde National Park protects and preserves the landscapes, material culture and continuing relationships with Pueblo people and members of other associated tribes. Volunteers at Mesa Verde assist in a variety of ways to preserve cultural and natural resources, inform and educate park visitors, and maintain buildings, trails and landscaping.
Position Summary
The CVA intern at Mesa Verde National Park assists with managing a dedicated team of volunteers whose contributions help to protect park resources and serve visitors.
Position Responsibilities:
- The CVA at Mesa Verde National Park plays a key role in volunteer recruitment, training, scheduling, recognition, and program management.
- The CVA assists supervisors in managing their individual volunteers and developing and implementing group service projects.
- The CVA will implement an outreach plan focused on community and tribal engagement and youth audiences that includes social media, website, and community event participation.
- The CVA will receive training in interpretation and visitor services, and will have opportunities to provide programs to K-12 youth, senior groups, and general park visitors.
Minimum Requirements:
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Flexibility and the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Ability to coordinate and work with a variety of park staff and volunteers
- Must enjoy working with a wide variety of people, such as park staff, volunteers, partners, visitors, and tribal and community members
- Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office platform and programs: Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, Forms, etc. 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:
- Experience in customer service
- Experience with public speaking
- Ability and desire to work with diverse age groups, tribal members, and members of underserved populations
- Strong attention to detail
Additional Information:
- Housing and offices in Mesa Verde are located about 1 hour's drive from the town of Cortez, CO. This remote location and long distances to nearby towns and recreation requires that the CVA have a driver's license and car.
- Mesa Verde has very limited cell coverage or internet access in most areas of the park, including at the housing units.
- Housing for the CVA will be provided, either in a shared apartment or a single house.
- The CVA will generally work a Monday-Friday schedule. There may be an infrequent need for evening or weekend work.
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
The application period is closing very soon. Please apply as soon as possible!
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.