Community Volunteer Ambassador - Rock Creek Park
Community Volunteer Ambassador – Rock Creek Park
Length: Term of positions is 50 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk
Location: Washington, D.C.
Compensation: $565/week living allowance
Start Date: September 11, 2023
Application Review: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with first review beginning on June 5th.
Application deadline is Friday, July 21st.
Position Title Community Volunteer Ambassador
Position 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 communities.
The CVA at Rock Creek Park will help support volunteer programs, work with community partners, and exercise strategic outreach. The CVA will be tasked with expanding our SOLVE program (Sustaining Our Lands with Volunteer Energy). The candidate will seek out new partnerships, particularly with underserved communities, and foster these relationships. They will help build volunteer capacity, share equitable resources, and increase the park’s access to the surrounding community.
The CVA will also help with our current volunteer programs such as Weed Warrior, Roving Rangers, and Stream Team leaders. They will aim to engage volunteers in service opportunities that include invasive plant removal, native plant restoration, and litter cleanups.
Rock Creek Park’s Community Volunteer Ambassador will have a passion for community outreach, help think of new ideas, build capacity, and reinvigorate our volunteer programs.
Site Description:
Rock Creek Park itself was first established in 1890 to protect the natural historical landscape of the Rock Creek Valley in Washington, DC. The Park was one of the first designated federal park units and is unique due to its proximity to an urban center. The Park protects more than 2,000 acres of the Rock Creek watershed which provide habitat for many plant and animal species. While being embedded in a metropolitan city poses many environmental challenges, one benefit is the desire of the community to come out and volunteer in their neighborhood park.
Last year ROCR reported hosting over 4,500 volunteers who totaled over 18,500 hours of volunteer service. The park along with its partners run a number of volunteer programs that include SOLVE, Weed Warrior, Roving Rangers, and the Stream Team Leader program. Rock Creek Park also coordinates many service day events such as MLK day, National Public Lands Day.
Position Responsibilities:
- Develop a strategic recruitment plan to bring on volunteers from diverse backgrounds
- Identify and engage with new community members
- Lead and coordinate volunteer service events
- Promote equitable resources for underserved youth and minorities
- Help develop trainings and materials
- Lead the charge on expanding the SOLVE volunteer program (Sustaining Lands with Volunteer Energy)
- Continue to develop Rock Creek Park’s CAM (Community Asset Map)
- Develop Volunteer Communications materials, including social media campaigns, newsletters, etc.
CVA Minimum Requirements:
- Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in early November 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)
- Bachelor's Degree
- 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 working with diverse groups.
- Strong time management skills
- Timeliness and dependability
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
Additional Information:
- A vehicle is required including a valid driver's license as there isn't any public transportation in the area.
- Housing will be provided in a fully furnish house that would be shared by other volunteers in the 2024 summer season.
- Opportunities exist to partner with other nearby park sites.
Benefits:
- CVA will receive a weekly stipend of $565
- 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, September 11th, 2023, and run for 50 weeks until Friday, August 23rd, 2024. Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/sept-23-cva-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 June. Final deadline is Friday, July 21st, 2023.
For Application Questions:
Please contact Geoff Elliot, Program Director at gelliot@conservationlegacy.org
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.