Community Volunteer Ambassador - Lewis and Clark National Historical Park

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-winter-2025 Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references. 

Position Title:  Community Volunteer Ambassador – Lewis and Clark National Historical Park - AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements 

Site Location:  Astoria, OR  

Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early November. Final deadline is Sunday, December 8, 2024. 

Terms of Service: 

Start Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 

End Date: Friday, December 19, 2025 

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour  

 Purpose: 

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 Community Volunteer Ambassador will play a pivotal role in engaging and empowering local youth to participate in resource stewardship and conservation efforts within the National Park. The CVA will spearhead the creation of a Youth Volunteer Corps, aiming to formalize volunteer recruitment from various high school clubs, particularly those involved in trail running, to assist with trail maintenance and other ecological initiatives. Additionally, the CVA will establish an “Ethnobotanical Garden Corps,” collaborating with local Indigenous groups, horticultural programs, and educational institutions to maintain and promote the park's ethnobotanical garden. This initiative will not only enhance the preservation of natural resources but also cultivate a deep sense of pride and responsibility among youth, fostering lasting connections to their environment and cultural heritage.  

Site Description  

Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the significant historic, cultural, scenic, and natural resources in the lower Columbia River region. The park aims to lead in national park standards while actively engaging with the community and various organizations. With a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, Lewis and Clark NHP values diversity and fosters a transparent and accountable environment for its staff and volunteers. Visitors can look forward to enriching programs and outreach initiatives, as well as opportunities for ongoing learning and stewardship that promote collaboration and positive relationships within the community.  
  
Lewis and Clark NHP is located 100 miles northwest of Portland and near Astoria, Oregon. The weather is typical for a temperate rain forest, with cool, wet in the winters and mild summers.  The surrounding communities have shopping; medical care; entertainment—movies, concerts, and plays; restaurants; and recreation—beaches, surfing, fishing, hiking, camping, kayaking, bicycling and recreational sports.   
  
The volunteer program at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park has a rich history spanning over 50 years, playing a vital role in the park's operations and community engagement. Volunteers enhance various aspects of the park, contributing their time and skills to areas such as interpretation and education, maintaining trails and facilities, monitoring local wildlife, including elk and songbirds, invasive plant control and restoration planting.  The dedication of volunteers at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park enriches visitor experiences while fostering a strong sense of community and stewardship for the environment.  

Description of Duties: 

Increase in volunteers and volunteer opportunities through recruitment efforts from local schools, youth groups, and other community groups.   

Create and establish a Youth Volunteer Corps.  

Create volunteer opportunities for Youth Volunteer Corps.  

Create and establish Ethnobotanical Garden Corps.  

Using Volunteer.gov create new opportunities announcements.  

Using Volunteer.gov assist volunteers in utilizing the site to log hours.  

Assist with updating Lewis and Clark NHP volunteer manual to include Youth Volunteer Corps and Ethnobotanical Garden Corps recruitment and organization.  

Qualifications: 

Outgoing and friendly   

Ability to establish new community relationships.  

Willingness to work as part of a team in an outdoor setting.   

Ability to plan and organize volunteer opportunities.  

Good written and verbal communication skills.   

A positive attitude.  

Organized and self-motivated  

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien 

Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award  

Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.  

Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in March 2025 (date TBD) 

Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old) 

Must be over 21 years old or have had license for at least 3 years to be insured in this position 

Be able to provide proof of a driver’s license and complete a MVR check 

 Preferred Qualifications:  

Experience in public speaking.  

Experience in community outreach and recruitment.  

Experience in leading and/or teaching youth.  

Bilingual Spanish speaking, reading, and writing skills are preferred but not required. 

Physical Requirements: 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. 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. 

 Time Requirements: 

This position is expected to serve a 40-hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary and will be set by host site.  

Lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.  

Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

Orientation and Training: 

Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 

Week-long, in-person training on NPS volunteer program management and leadership skills. 

Year-long continuum of learning supporting professional development 

$1,200 in Professional Development Funds   

Additional Information: 

Since there is no park housing, the park assists new employees in finding accommodation by providing lists of available housing and, if necessary, pre-checking the premises before their renting. Park staff are familiar with the community and often acquainted with the housing providers.  Housing options in the surrounding communities of Astoria, Warrenton, and Seaside, Oregon, vary from houses to apartments, rooms, and hostels.   

A personal vehicle is necessary for commuting from the community to the park, as there is no public transport available, and the wet coastal weather is not conducive to bicycling.  

Lewis and Clark NHP promotes interdivisional collaboration, offering interns the chance to work alongside other interns and staff in Resource Management, Administration, and Facilities, tailored to their interests.  

Benefits:  

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395 

Living Allowance of $600 per week. 

Additional Benefit of $150 per week, if housing is not provided. 

Healthcare Coverage  

Childcare Coverage  

Loan forbearance  

Interest Payments  

$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. 

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

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 Tuesday, January 21, and run for 48 weeks until Friday, December 19, 2025.  

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-winter-2025 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 8, 2024. 

For Application Questions: 

Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at jgasaway@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. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps 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.