Park Naturalist plans, develops, and conducts programs to inform the public of historical, natural, and scientific features concerning national, state, or local parks. May require a bachelor's degree and 2-4 years of experience in the field or in a related area. Being a Park Naturalist is familiar with standard concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals. Additionally, Park Naturalist performs a variety of complicated tasks. Typically reports to a supervisor/manager. A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected. (Copyright 2024 Salary.com)
Summary :
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS) is seeking 1 Member to contribute to stewardship and youth programs alongside NPS Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit : .
Start Date : April / May, 2024
Estimated End Date : November / December, 2024
a 26-week minimum commitment is required
Location Details / Description : Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (Woodstock, VT)
Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park is located in the year-round resort community of Woodstock, Vermont - an area of great natural beauty alongside the Ottauquechee River in the foothills of the Green Mountains.
The park opened for the first time to visitors in 1998 and is the first unit of the National Park System to focus on the theme of conservation history and the changing nature of land stewardship in America.
It manages and interprets the early 19th century Billings / Rockefeller mansion and grounds complex. The park also includes a 500-acre forest on the slopes of Mount Tom where hiking, nature study, and cross-country skiing are popular with visitors.
The park is also home to the NPS Stewardship Institute and the Northeast Temperate Inventory and Monitoring Network (NETN).
Vermont has many affordable communities nearby that offer an outstanding quality of life. Full-service communities near Woodstock include Lebanon and Hanover, New Hampshire, and White River Junction, Queechee, and Bridgewater, Vermont.
Boston is 2.5 hours from Woodstock, VT while Montreal, Quebec, is just over 3 hours away.
For more information, please visit
Position Overview :
The Members will support and assist NPS Staff and the youth coordinator with youth crew projects, trail projects, and developing and scheduling weekly professional development opportunities for the park's intern cohort.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals.
This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Schedule : This position will work 40 hours per week Monday through Friday.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance : Members are expected to contribute 40 hours / week and will receive a living allowance of $560 / week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly, as well as an additional $700 / month to offset the cost of housing.
AmeriCorps Education Award Program : This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023 / 24 grant year program, valued up to $3,447.
50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 900 hrs.
Loan Forbearance : AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.
Qualifying Child Care Coverage : AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority : Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service.
If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service ( 16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement.
PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online : .
Housing : Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. A $700 / month allowance is included to offset the cost of housing.
Relocation Allowance : ACE members will have access to up to $800 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
Provided Training / Orientation : ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.
Specific training may include site and agency orientation, interpretation techniques, park natural and cultural histories, working with youth, and safety.
Qualifications
Required :
Preferred :
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions :
Physical Demands : Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing.
Manual dexterity required for the use of various tools, computer keyboard / mouse and other office equipment.
Approximately 50% of the work will be in a climate controlled, shared office setting or standing at a desk in the climate controlled visitor center.
The other 50% will be primarily outdoors. Summers are typically mild to hot with daytime temperatures averaging in the 70s to 90s and evening temperatures in the 50s or 60s.
Spring and Fall are typically mild to cool with daytime temperatures averaging in the 70s and evening temperatures in the 30s or 40s.
This will need to be completed prior to the start date.
Environmental Conditions / Hazards : Members may encounter environmental conditions / hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife.
The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff / members or resources.
Vehicle and Equipment Use / Safety : If a vehicle i s required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the agency or ACE.
Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the agency. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.
Strict adherence to the NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.
To Apply : Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional / academic references to the online application page for this position here : .
Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Program Manager, Andrew Garcia, at .
EEO : Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.
Last updated : 2024-04-01