Visitor Use and Education Fellow- AmeriCorps

Job Overview

Position Title: Visitor Use and Education Fellow- AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: NPS – New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

104 Main Street, Glen Jean, West Virginia 25846

APPLY HERE: conservationlegacy:Career Search

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 07/14/2025
• End Date: 12/26/2025 (24 weeks)
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hour Slot

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting natural area health. Stewards, in partnership with NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE, are seeking a service member to serve as a park ambassador to park visitors as well as local communities. This member will be based out of the Sandstone Visitor Center near Hinton, WV.

The role includes frontline interpretation at the visitor information desk and working with rangers in developing, updating, and implementing interpretive opportunities and products related to natural area stewardship with specific focus on benefits of land reclamation.

Description of Duties:

• Explore various interpretative methods to highlight the reclamation of the former coal processing plant and the benefits the site provides as a naturalized area and NPS campground.

–       Design a bulletin board for the campground that incorporates the coal plant history.

• Work alongside rangers to create a pollinator garden information sign.

–       Create a ranger led or self-guided interpretive walk through the garden

• Interact with visitors from around the world at various park attractions including visitor centers, trails, overlooks, boardwalks and more.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• A valid driver’s license
• College degree and previous job experience preferred
• Background in Customer Service
• Ability to learn Microsoft Office Suite
• Verbal and Written Communication Skills
• Public Speaking Experience and Skills
• Capable to work independently and as a part of a team
• Ability to work enthusiastically with diverse backgrounds
• Sound judgement in response to challenging situations
• Positive attitude and the ability to build respectful working relationships

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve a 35-to-40-hour workday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Member will receive National Park Service Orientation, First Aid and CPR and Customer Service Training.
• NPS offers many virtual training opportunities on a wide variety of subjects including Federal Resume Building training and Safety and Wellness Training. These training will be readily available to the member.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2817.14
• Living Allowance of $592 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week.
• On-site housing available but not guaranteed
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

STE Program Staff:

Kahla Stewart

Program Coordinator

Stewards Individual Placements

(423) 402-6004

[email protected]

Service Site Staff:

Leah Perkowski-Sisk

Supervisory Park Ranger

National Park Service, New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

[email protected]

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.