Education and Outreach Member - Great Smoky Mountains (Cades Cove)

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) is seeking ONE Education and Outreach Member interested in dedicating 18 weeks in support of the National Park Service in delivering inquiry-based programs in environmental education and stewardship to students grades K-8, as well as interacting and engaging park visitors in the resources of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park out of the Cades Cove Visitor Center.

This opportunity is intended for an enthusiastic individual who is deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks. Applicants must have strong interest in resource management, history and education.

 

Start Date:  March 22, 2020

End Date: July 26, 2020 (or 18 weeks from the position's start date)

Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based out of Cades Cove Visitor Center, located in Cade Cove, Tennessee. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is unique among America's National Parks; located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its rich diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of the ancient mountains and forests, and its preservation of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

 

Project Website:  For more information regarding Cades Cove and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm and http://www.nps.gov/grsm/historyculture/cades-cove-history.htm.

For more information about ACE, please visit usaconservation.org.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $200/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: The ACE member will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Cell phone reception is not always reliable and personal vehicle required due to the site being remote with no reliable public transportation. The Member will have use of a government vehicle for project-related travel.

 

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award of ($2,321.90) upon successful completion of term. Additional enrollment is required.

  

Position Description: Great Smoky Mountains NP has a long-standing curriculum-based education program. The Parks as Classrooms (PAC) program offers nationally recognized K-12 inquiry-based education programs for students to help them achieve academically and to inspire in them a sense of stewardship in national parks and their communities.

Cades Cove is one of the most popular sites to visit in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Here, visitors are able to learn hands on about both the rich cultural and natural history of the area by exploring the on-site historic buildings scenic mountain views, outstanding wildlife viewing and numerous interactive and backcountry trails.

In support of the mission of the National Park Service, the fundamental duties performed by Education and Outreach Member are:

Resource Education and Visitor Services: Educating area children, teachers and parents about the significance and uniqueness of park resources, conservation, and ecologically sound practices and the laws, rules, and regulations developed to protect park resources and provide for their safe and non-consumptive use. This will be through interpretive programs, Parks as Classroom programs and visitor outreach and engagement at the Cades Cove Visitor Center.

Resource Protection: Preserving the natural and cultural resources of the park by preventing degradation of ecosystems, historical structures and artifacts and by preventing the loss and theft of objects, flora, and fauna through information and education. Use wildlife management techniques to ensure safe visitor/wildlife interactions

This will be achieved through the implementation of curriculum-based education programs. The park programs enhance classroom learning by using the cultural and natural resources as teaching tools. Through place-based learning, students make real-world connections with science and history as they explore our National Parks!

 

Scope of Work: This position is 40 hours/week. Education members serve closely with National Park rangers to deliver and evaluate programs in the park and in the classroom, as well as interact with park visitors and perform public outreach in the Cades Cove Visitor Center.

Projects include developing/designing new educational and interpretive programs, maintaining program statistics, and creating interpretive visual media, as well as roving the Cable Mill Visitor Center area providing information to park visitors. 

Lessons are guided by Tennessee state and national standards and emphasize science and cultural and history education. Lessons and field trips are provided at no cost to schools or teachers. The NPS also provides coaching throughout the term, allowing members the chance for continuous improvement.

The Member will serve the NPS Great Smoky Mountains' mission by enthusiastically serving to fulfill the following responsibilities:

 

Training Provided: The member will receive training in park resource knowledge, delivery of curriculum- based programs, report writing, and other position related skills, as well as safety training and oversight. ACE and NPS are committed to providing the most educational, rewarding, and challenging experience possible to best prepare members for future careers in the stewardship of America's parks and public lands.

 

Qualifications: Applicants for the position will hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in environmental education, interpretation, biological sciences, natural resource management, ecology, history, education, cultural resources, park management, or a related discipline.

 

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with three (3) professional/academic references using the green APPLY button located on the upper right hand corner of this posting,and Handshake will redirect you to our online application.

 

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Eastern Recruitment Specialist, Madison Douthitt, (828) 329-4793, mdouthitt@usaconservation.org

 

EOE: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.