Term of service:  January 13, 2025 – November 14, 2025

Service schedule: Member will serve a minimum of 1,715 hours over a 44-week term, averaging 41 hours per week with 80 hours of “Time Not Scheduled to Serve” to be used as sick, vacation, or other personal leave.

Position Summary:

As the largest, natural, freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, Flathead Lake provides some of the best water-based recreational opportunities in the western United States, including fishing, camping, hiking, sightseeing, wildlife viewing, and boating.  Because of its world-class recreational opportunities, the Flathead Lake Recreation District receives over 400,000 visitors annually. The district includes six park units spread out around the lake these are: Wayfarers, Yellow Bay, Big Arm, Finley Point, West Shore, and Wild Horse Island—the only island state park in the Montana State Park system.  At over 2,000 acres, Wild Horse Island is home to bighorn sheep, mule deer, waterfowl, bald eagles, and falcons, as well as five wild horses. This AmeriCorps position will be based out of the Flathead Lake Ranger Station located in Flathead Lake State Park – Wayfarers unit on the south side of Bigfork, Montana.  Bigfork is a quaint, charming lakeside village with all the amenities of a larger town, conveniently located near world-class hiking, skiing, rafting, and fishing. 

The AmeriCorps member will be exposed to a variety of experiences at Flathead Lake State Park. The main projects will be:

• Developing and leading a variety of guided hikes and evening programs.
• Organizing and leading K-12 field trips.
• Maintenance of the trails in the Flathead Lake district.
• Working on weed management within the Flathead Lake District.

In addition to these primary responsibilities this member will continue developing relationships with partner organizations to further the opportunities that the Park can provide. The member will also identify opportunities for projects that support the mission of FHLSP, future programs, events, and interpretive displays throughout Flathead Lake State Park.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks AmeriCorps members perform capacity building activities.  Their service revolves around the program goals listed below to ensure that they do not displace workers or take part in any prohibited or unallowable activities as outlined in AmeriCorps regulations.  Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks AmeriCorps members will likely participate in activities that involve recurring contact with vulnerable populations.

Member will contribute to the following program goals:

• Improve park land
• Expand educational and interpretive programs
• Increase volunteer capacity*
• Enhance outreach and awareness of state parks
• Participate in service activities including National Days of Service**
• Respond to disasters, when called upon to do so by the program

Specific Position Responsibilities:

• Improve park land
  • Trail monitoring and maintenance on the roughly 11 miles of trails in the park district. This may include minor reroutes, addition and maintenance of trail drainage, weeds mitigation, and brush clearing.
  • Assist in the development and implementation of a trail inventory and assessment system.
  • Work on efforts to mitigate noxious weed spread and social trail development across parks.
  • Assist with scheduling regular volunteer workdays to continue land improvement efforts.
  • Coordinate events in conjunction with national service days for trail work and land improvement.
• Expand educational and interpretive programs
  • Focus on educational opportunities and interpretive programs that connect visitors to the land and natural resources of the park. With an emphasis on utilizing the newly constructed Archery Range in the Big Arm Unit.
  • Coordinate programming that focuses on land improvement, noxious weeds mitigation, and the cultural and natural history of the parks.
  • Work with county weeds organizations and other local environmental groups to develop programming that engages the public with resource management issues in the parks and the region.
  • Develop interpretive tools or resources for the public to learn about trail health and native habitats.
• Increase volunteer capacity
  • Recruit and work alongside Flathead Lake volunteers.
  • Participate in job fairs at the local Community College.
  • Work with other partners in the community on projects in the park.
  • Hike in the park and interact with regular visitors to recruit them for our Park Stewardship Program.
• Enhance outreach and awareness of state parks
  • Lead Flathead Lake State Park’s social media efforts
  • Develop posters advertising volunteer events and programs
  • Attend Local Farmers Markets and local tabling events

Minimum Requirements:

• Over 18 with a high school diploma or GED; college degree or equivalent work experience preferred
• A United States citizen, United States National, or legal permanent resident alien
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• Ability to take initiative, handle multiple projects, track details essential to project completion, analyze information, and meet deadlines
• Strong ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse groups of people
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Basic computer proficiency
• Passion for the outdoors and enthusiasm for enhancing Montana’s state parks
• A driver’s license and personal means of transportation within the state of Montana
• Must pass the requirements of the National Service Criminal History Check

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks AmeriCorps 2025 Required Trainings and Events (subject to change):

• January 13: First Day of Service
• January 21-24: Member Orientation; Helena
• March 3-7: Certified Interpretive Guide Training; Lubrecht Experimental Forest
• March 12-14: Annual Serve Montana Symposium; Helena
• June 9-12: All Member Gathering; Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
• July 18-20: Bannack Days; Bannack State Park
• August 29-31: Day of Honor; Chief Plenty Coups State Park
• November 13-14: Close of Service; Helena

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Work is performed in both an indoor and outdoor environment. 
• Frequently works in adverse outdoor conditions including temperature extremes, snow and rain, dust, and mosquito infested areas.
• Works with public and may inform public of site rules and regulations.
• May be required to lift over 50lbs across rugged terrain.
• The position may require some travel.  The incumbent will be required to work odd hours, weekends, and holidays.

Benefits:

• Living allowance of $512.00/week (taxed)
• An AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of service. This award can be used to pay education costs at qualified institutions of higher education, for educational training and resources, or to repay qualified student loans.  Members aged 55 and over may transfer the education award to a child, grandchild or foster child.
• Eligible for deferment on qualified student loans
• Guaranteed health benefits and childcare assistance if qualified
• Experience and training working in the fields of outdoor recreation, parks management, interpretive services, education, community outreach, and volunteer management
• Opportunity to live, work and be part of the team amid the natural wonders and cultural heritage of Montana State Parks

* Volunteer activity facilitated by AmeriCorps members supports the management and operation of State Parks.  These activities do not include any prohibited or unallowable activities as outlined in AmeriCorps regulations.

**Service activities will center around the preceding program goals as well as provide unique opportunities for members to engage in service to non-profit community organizations that provide support to those in need, including victims of national disasters, individuals and families in poverty, veterans, homeless animals, and other groups.  Service projects will take place on and around designated National Days of Service as well as other AmeriCorps organized events, such as member trainings.  Service activities will not include any prohibited or unallowable activities as outlined in AmeriCorps regulations.  

The Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks AmeriCorps Program, as administered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, shall provide equal access to opportunities provided by the Program and shall not discriminate against any person because of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply.  Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. The accommodation must be essential for the Member to perform his/her service successfully. Funds for reasonable accommodations are available for use by members with disabilities who have been offered a position with an AmeriCorps Program and require an accommodation to fulfill the essential functions of their service.