Community Volunteer Ambassador - Channel Islands National Park

Job Description
Length:
Term of positions is 50 weeks; full-time 40 hrs/wk
Location:
Ventura, CA
Compensation:
$565/week living allowance
Start Date:
September 11, 2023
Application Review:
The application deadline is approaching very soon; apply now!
Position Title:
Community Volunteer Ambassador
Position Details:
Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) Program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train a diverse group of emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.
The person in this position will work on two initiatives that help the park build partnerships:
1) expanding an existing service learning program; and,
2) helping to develop a new Art in the Parks program. They will have the opportunity to explore potential career paths in conservation and will explore how art can be used to encourage conservation.
Site Description:
Channel Islands National Park consists of five islands off the coast of Southern California and a visitor center on the mainland in Ventura. Because of their geologic history, the islands are home to plants and animals that evolved separately and are found nowhere else. The park extends offshore to include equally diverse marine life. Chumash and other vibrant societies developed in this unique environment. The park's volunteer program is large and very active. Repeat volunteers help the public make lasting memories, restore damaged ecosystems, and do behind-the-scenes work, such as maintaining boats, to keep everything running smoothly.
Position Responsibilities:

• Research partners and help make initial contacts to gauge interest
• Assist in refining proposals to meet the needs of partners
• Complete logistical arrangements, including boat transportation, volunteer work leaders, and housing/campsites

• Update written procedures for service learning to incorporate summer work and college students
• Create experimental art-based activities for the public, then field test and evaluate them
• Document lessons learned

CVA Minimum Requirements:

• Skill in managing concurrent, complex projects
• Ability to listen to potential partners and find overlapping needs/interests
• Ability to explain novel concepts and procedures
• Skill in writing emails and reports that are clear, concise, and complete
• Creativity and an ability to think critically about experiments

• Comfort with public speaking, outdoor work (including travel by boat), and artistic expression
• Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in early November 2023
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
• Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old)
• High School Diploma/GED

• Pass fingerprint-based FBI, state criminal, and a national sex offender checks.
• Be able to provide proof of a driver's license and complete a MVR check

• Must be over 21 years old or have had license for at least 3 years to be insured in this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Background in art, restoration ecology, astronomy, and/or soundscapes
• Fluency in a second language

Additional Information:
Weekend, evening, and holiday work are required. Work will involve occasional multi-day tours on remote islands with park-provided housing.
The park may have furnished housing available for lease.
Benefits:

• CVA will receive a weekly stipend of $565

• Limited health care/childcare benefits
• The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award $6,495.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of the program
• Professional development funds
• Networking opportunities within the National Park Service and partnering organizations
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority

• Week-long in-person training at NPS site with travel/meal expenses covered.

How to Apply
Please visit Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) to review "Member Positions" by region and find instructions on how to apply.
The CVA position will start on Monday, September 11th, 2023, and run for 50 weeks until Friday, August 23rd, 2024. Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/sept-23-cva-application. Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.
Please ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the CVA program, your experience working with diverse populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.
Applications Deadline:
The application deadline is approaching very soon; apply now!
For Application Questions:
Please contact Geoff Elliot, Program Director at gelliot@conservationlegacy.org
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, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, 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 a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.