Youth Ranger Service Project Member - Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Golden Gate National Recreation Area, is seeking ONE Youth Ranger Service Project Member to support volunteer service projects and environmental education programs for the YMCA Y-Rangers summer camp program in 2024.

This excellent opportunity is ideal for an enthusiastic young professional who is deeply committed to stewardship and preservation of our national parks and engaging youth in their stewardship.

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

Start Date: March 16, 2025

Estimated End Date: August 30, 2025

*a 24-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco, CA

Member would lead service projects and environmental education programs in various sites within Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA) for YMCA campers.  The GGNRA is located in the San Francisco Bay Area (CA) and the noncontiguous parklands are spread throughout 3 counties: San Francisco, Marin, and San Mateo. The members primary duty station would be located in San Francisco. The member would be required to travel by government vehicle (or carpool with other staff) to various work sites.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area encompasses multiple highly visited park sites including Muir Woods, Alcatraz Island, Marin Headlands, Fort Point National Historic Site, and Presidio of San Francisco. The parklands hosts 19 distinct ecosystems, 2000 plant and animal species, and offers a diverse cultural history for visitors to learn about and explore.

For more information about Golden Gate National Recreation Area please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: 

Do you have an interest in or passion for working with youth, inspiring stewardship, and working outdoors on public lands?  This position may be for you!

The mission of the National Park Service is to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.”  Since the NPS Centennial more than 7 years ago, the National Park Service, along with partners Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, and The Presidio Trust, have continued to collaborate with the YMCA of San Francisco on the summer Y Rangers program, by offering stewardship and environmental education programs for local youth within Golden Gate National Recreation Area.   Service projects may include habitat restoration, maintenance work, landscaping, non-native plant removal, litter abatement and beach clean-up.

The 2024 ACE member would work with various NPS and partner staff to identify stewardship projects appropriate for youth, to plan and schedule these projects, and also to lead or co-lead projects in the field for the Y Rangers campers during the summer months. 

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/week, primarily Monday through Friday, 9:00-5:30 PM (Pacific time zone.)

Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $550/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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. 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 on our usaconservation website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in shared, dorm-style housing, which is provided at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing is located in a remote area, in Fort Cronkhite in the Marin Headlands (Sausalito, CA.)  The closest grocery store is located about 5 miles away in Mill Valley, CA.  Driving on windy roads is required.

Toll Reimbursement: The member may be responsible for their own private transportation and commuting expenses to their duty station, however the member will be given a $27 weekly toll stipend for the Golden Gate Bridge.  Once at their duty station, a government vehicle or carpool will be available for their use.  For more information on bridge tolls the Golden Gate’s toll website.

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 volunteer policies and procedures, interpretive training, park history, training in leading volunteer conservation projects.

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
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a Bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ocean stewardship, plant and vegetation ecology, K-12 education, environmental science, etc.
• Experience with working with you and/or Knowledge of environmental education, child development, service learning and issues related to management of public lands.
• Ability and willingness to be trained by and take direction from various work leaders, develop education curriculum, follow safety protocols, speak in front of groups, work with children, wear a uniform,
• Deep interest in national parks and public lands, environmental science, and working with youth.
  ●  Experience working with children or leading groups.
  ●   Interest in working with your hands to preserve and clean our parks while inspiring the campers to care for the park and work hard.

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 use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.  Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 50 pounds on occasion. 
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in an outdoor natural environment or 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.  NOTE: Summertime in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area can range from hot inland to cold and foggy in the coastal areas; average temperatures in San Francisco in July are in the 50s and 60s. 

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 partner. 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.