Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking ONE Education Member to contribute to assisting JICA staff with curriculum-based education programs, including on-site and virtual field trips, community outreach, and special events for students alongside Jimmy Carter NHP Staff. 

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: October 28, 2024 (or as soon as possible)

Estimated End Date: October 24, 2025 (or 52 weeks after start date)

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, Plains, GA

The Jimmy Carter National Historical Park preserves sites associated with James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, Jr. (born 1924), 39th president of the United States. These include his residence, boyhood farm, school, and the town railroad depot, which served as his campaign headquarters during the 1976 election. The building which used to be Plains High School (opened in 1921 and closed in 1979) serves as the park's museum and visitor center. Plains is a rural community in Southwest Georgia with full services available in Americus, GA (10 miles); Albany, GA (40 miles); and Columbus, GA (50 miles).

For more information about Jimmy Carter National Historic Park, please visit the parks website.

Position Overview: The member will assist park staff with facilitating curriculum-based education programs for students in Pre-K through twelfth grade. This includes prepping, cleaning, and maintaining education materials, set-up and break-down for education programs, working with digitally accessibility, and interacting with students during programs. Additionally, the member will assist with community outreach, special events, and participate in division meetings. Proper training on frontline interpretive operations, safety, and other assigned tasks will be given. 

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: Member will work a Monday - Friday from 8:45 - 5:15 schedule, with some weekends and holidays to assist with special events. 

Weekends and Holidays include: 

-President's Day, February 17, 2025
-Academic Bowl, February 22, 2025
-Plains Peanut Festival, September 27, 2025

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 1700 hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2024/25 grant year program, valued up to TBD upon successful completion of [a complete service term and 1700 hours.

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 eligibility information on our usaconservation website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS. 

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $605 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. 

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks 
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service -Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in history, education, agriculture or environmental science and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as history, agriculture, or environmental science.
• Knowledge of basic public speaking practices.
• Ability and willingness to work with students ages 4 - 17, work with the general public, and support the NPS mission and park specific themes. 
• Deep interest in education, interpretation, and cultural/natural resources. 

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various education materials, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. 
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 pounds, ability to move up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Most education programs take place on a historic farm. 
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) 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 is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.