Visual Information Individual Placement at Rock Creek Park

Title: Visual Information Individual Placement 

Location: Based out of Washington, D.C. at Rock Creek Park 

Position Dates: Flexible start in April or May for a 37 week term

Pay: $682/week ($600/stipend + $82/housing allowance) + health, vision and dental benefits 

Status: This is a full-time, temporary AmeriCorps National Service position. 

Questions? Contact [email protected]  

Appalachian Conservation Corps:  

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.  

Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site while ACC supports them administratively through their term, as well as provides a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve. 

Rock Creek Park: 

One of the first federal parks, established in 1890 for the benefit of the people of the United States, Rock Creek Park preserves the natural, archeological, and historic resources of the Rock Creek Valley and areas of northern Washington, DC, while providing visitors with compatible recreational opportunities and a respite within the nation’s capital.  

Rock Creek Park administers 2,749 acres within the District of Columbia and is both an individual unit of the national park system as well as an administrative unit that oversees numerous park sites and resources beyond the original core of Rock Creek Park (US Reservation 339). The park administers a total of 99 additional areas, which include the Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway, the Old Stone House, part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Meridian Hill Park, and Glover Archbold Park.  

Position Summary: 

Appalachian Conservation Corps and Rock Creek Park are seeking a Visual Information Individual Placement (IP) to assist with creating engaging content for the public. In this position, you will have the opportunity to be a part of exciting and innovative education, interpretation and communications teams. The primary duties of this position are to help with designing outdoor interpretive panels, information signs, and content for bulletin boards. The interns will contribute to the park’s photo library and create visually appealing informational graphics. 

This position is great for someone who has an interest or background in graphic design as well as American History and writing. The Individual Placement (IP) will primarily work on office-based assignments with the capacity to serve remotely under the mentorship and support of NPS staff. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Designing layouts for interpretive signs. 
• Capturing and editing photographs. 
• Creating visually appealing informational graphics. 
• Researching historical information and images. 

In addition, the IPs will be encouraged to attend NPS-sponsored trainings and have opportunities to study the fundamentals of interpretation and site-specific topics related to the natural and cultural history of Washington, D.C. and surrounding states. 

Housing is not provided. Candidates already located in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas are preferred. 

Benefits:  

• $600/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly   
• $82/week housing allowance, paid bi-weekly 
• Option to enroll in health, dental and vision insurance 
• $4,826.50 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1200 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)  
• $1,042.25 budget for Professional Development, travel or research purposes 
• Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions. 
• Possible federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff 
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements  
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Students of graphic design, journalism, communications, English, Education, American History, Earth Sciences, and other relevant fields are welcome.  
• Digital Media experience including photography and graphic design 
• Knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite 
• Experience with writing for various audiences. Knowledge of plain language principles (https://www.plainlanguage.gov/). Familiarity with document and multimedia accessibility following Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act (https://www.section508.gov/create/pdfs). 

General Qualifications:  

• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35)   
• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status   
• Have a high school diploma or GED  
• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check  
• Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)  
• Possess a valid driver’s license 
• Comfortable working in an office environment 

How to Apply: 

In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements 

Our Promise: 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer.  We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

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 job functions. 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.