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Community Volunteer Ambassador – Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park

Stewards Individual Placement Program
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Community Volunteer Ambassador – Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park 

 

Location: Potomac, Maryland  

 

Position Details: 

Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, 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 will be working in a district of the park with a robust volunteer program. They will be involved with recruitment of new volunteers for a trail steward program, the boat program, and a trail maintenance program. The CVA will also help with communications and records management for the large and very active bike patrol program. All of those programs work to educate visitors about park rules and resources, promote participation in park programs, and help ensure a safe visitor experience at the park. 

 

Site Description 

C&O Canal provides one of the most unique park experiences in the Washington, D.C. area due its preservation of cultural resources that tell the history of the C&O Canal from the 1830's to present day. These visitor experiences include a towpath that extends over 185 miles, live mules, and a replica canal boat. The park is also home to many hiking trails, including the Billy Goat Trail, and offers opportunities for biking, hiking, leisure, and education. The park's volunteer program spans from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD. The Palisades District (where the CVA will be located) has over 150 volunteers in three programs - Billy Goat Trail Stewards, Bike Patrol, Mule Care Volunteers, and Visitor Services Volunteers. Billy Goat Trail Stewards hike the trail and provide educational contacts with the public, with the Bike Patrol performing similar duties along the towpath. Mule Care Volunteers assist park staff in caring for the park's four live mules, as well as assisting with facilities maintenance and educational programs. Visitor Services Volunteers assist park staff with operating a visitor center, exhibit areas, and assisting visitors with general questions and recommendations for recreational opportunities. 

 

Position Responsibilities: 

  • Recruitment for volunteer programs in Palisades District 
  • Onboarding and training volunteers 
  • Creating opportunities for community outreach and engagement 
  • Practice and foster principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of the park staff team and within the volunteer program 
  • Compile Visitor Services and Mule Care volunteer availability and schedules 
  • Ensure park operations by collaborating with staff, interns, and volunteers 
  • Collaborate with external partners on opportunities for group and individual volunteer projects 
  • Learn and participate in all park volunteer programs including biking, hiking, mule care, and visitor services 

 

CVA Minimum Requirements: 

  • Outgoing and friendly 
  • Flexible and adaptive 
  • Willingness to learn 
  • Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in late March/early April 2024 (date TBD) 
  • 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: 

  • Effective communication skills 
  • Organizational skills 
  • Leadership skills 
  • Ability to multi-task 
  • Experience or willingness to learn care of large equine animals 

 

Additional Information: 

Park housing may be available. 

 

Benefits: 

  • $600/week living stipend. 
  • $150/week in housing allowance, if housing is not provided.  
  • Limited health care/childcare benefits 
  • The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award $6,895.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of the program 
  • $1,200 in professional development funds for training, networking, conferences, and/or travel.  
  • 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, January 22nd, 2024, and run for 48 weeks until Friday, December 20th, 2024. Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-winter-2024. 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 Sunday, December 10th, 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.