Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service and Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB) is seeking an Interpretation Member to engage youth in interpretation and resource protection alongside NIOB staff.

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

Start Date: Mid/Late October 2024

Estimated End Date: Late December 2024

*a 12-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Niobrara National Scenic River (NIOB), Valentine, Nebraska.

The Niobrara National Scenic River is located in north-central Nebraska, approximately 300 miles (480 km) northwest of Omaha. Along the 76 mile stretch of the Niobrara are numerous waterfalls that empty into the river from the surrounding cliff and canyon walls. The Niobrara was designated as one of the 10 best rivers for canoeing in the United States. Considered an extraordinary example of a Great Plains river, the Niobrara is home to over 500 plant species, many at or beyond their usual range, including many not otherwise naturally found within several hundred miles.

For more information regarding the Niobrara National Scenic River, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: The applicant would assist the division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers with connecting to visitors to the Niobrara River and its watershed. This will be done through formal and informal programming, assisting park staff with the large quantity of visitors that can come to the river during the busy summer months. The member will also assist in calling potential people to be interviewed and get basic biographical information so that oral history volunteers in the early fall can set up and conduct oral history interviews. The applicant may need to assist with the interviews by providing some technical support.

• Participating programming from Fishing Clinics to Summer Programs at the library and school.
• (optional) Assisting with ranger-guided canoe programs
• Presenting Junior Ranger programs to park visitors
• Developing an educational video for youth on the river
• Assisting with educational programs/field trips

The applicant will also throughout their time at Niobrara NSR be able to shadow other divisions to get an overall view of how the park functions.

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: The schedule for this position will be Thursday - Monday, 8:15am - 4:45pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $400/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $1,824.07 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 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 on our usaconservation website.

Housing: ACE member will be accommodated in provided housing! Housing will be in dorms with our partners US Fish and Wildlife Service at either Fort Niobrara NWR or Valentine NWR.

Reimbursable Housing Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $300 monthly to be used towards housing costs. Not to exceed $1,200. (Housing will only cost $300 a month, so this payment will fully cover housing if member chooses to utilize USFWS Housing.)

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 three-part criminal history check
• 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 science, outdoor recreation, or similar degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as geology, interpretation, public speaking, or history.
• Knowledge of canoeing or kayaking (optional).
• Ability and willingness to teach people.
• Deep interest in geology, birds, fish, water, history or something similar.

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, and canoeing/kayaking for several hours a day a few days in a row. Ability to lift canoes overhead. Manual dexterity required for computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment]. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and move river equipment as needed for portage.
• 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 50 lbs., ability to move up to 75 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• 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 National Park Service/Niobrara National Scenic River or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the National Park Service/Niobrara National Scenic River. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the National Park Service/Niobrara National Scenic River, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to National Park Service/Niobrara National Scenic River and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.