Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service and Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, is seeking ONE Visitor Services member to contribute to education programming and efforts alongside NPS Staff.

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

Start Date: May 20, 2024

Estimated End Date: May 17, 2025 or 52-weeks after the anticipated start date

*a 52 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hodgenville, KY

This position is located at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park located in Hodgenville, Kentucky. Hodgenville is a small town of about 3,000 residents located in central, rural Kentucky. It is located approximately 45 miles south of Louisville. There is no public transportation access to the park. Intern will be expected to provide their own personal vehicle for travel during the internship duration. Hodgenville has a local elementary school, high school and 2 small grocery stores. The closest town is located approximately 12 miles away in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Elizabethtown has schools, a hospital, shopping and restaurants.

Park is made up of 2 Units separated by 10 miles: Birthplace Unit - where the Symbolic Cabin and MB are as well as site of Boundary Oak Tree and Sinking Spring; also have a traditional visitor center with museum, store and orientation film; Boyhood Home Unit at KC: have historic cabin, path to Knob Creek; rural setting, trails and historic Tavern which serves as a visitor center; the intern will be expected to work both sites

For more information about Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, please visit: www.nps.gov/abli

Position Overview:

Since this internship requires the completion of a project, over the course of the internship the intern will create a park brochure for the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park called "For Kids, By Kids." The park along with the local elementary and middle schools in LaRue county to develop this brochure. The students who attend this school mostly come from rural and underprivileged backgrounds. During this 1-year project, the intern will work with the students and their teachers to research, develop, design, and then implement the new brochure.

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: Work will be full time; 8 hours a day; 5 days a week; work shift will be 8:45am to 5:15pm (EST); Member will work weekends and holidays

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

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

The selected individual will live in park housing. The park houses were built in the late 1950s when the park's Birthplace Unit Visitor Center was built. Each house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The ACE member will have their own bedroom but will have to share the bathrooms. Common areas will also be shared and include a kitchen, dining room and living room area. The house is fully furnished, and the park also provides a land-line telephone, cable TV and Wi-Fi internet access at no additional cost.

The house contains a washer and dryer as well as a microwave, oven and refrigerator in the kitchen. The kitchen is also supplied with plates, glasses, cutlery, as well as some pots and pans. The park has provided a limited amount of sheets, blankets, and towels for member to use, but all of these items are shared among house members. Selected individuals are strongly encouraged to bring some of their own personal items, such as bedding and kitchen supplies, to make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.

Every individual who stays in park housing is required to read the park's housing manual and comply with all rules and regulations. The selected individual will be required to sign that they have read the manual and agree to all rules and regulations. Failure to comply with the park's housing manual may be cause for dismissal.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process

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 park overview and orientation and training in the following areas: education program delivery, customer service skills, interpretation, and public speaking.

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 two-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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a BA or BS college degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as public speaking, communication, history, science, public history, parks and recreation, education, youth development, childcare, coaching, camp counselor,
• Knowledge of public speaking, computer skills, software such a Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Skype/Zoom/Microsoft Teams, history, and science.
• Ability and willingness to work with visitors of all ages and backgrounds, provide both informal and formal interpretive programs both at the park.
• Deep interest in inspiring visitors of all ages, international visitors, youth and school-aged children to care about stories of the past and science.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires 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 telephone, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 pounds, ability to move up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Will work in both 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 a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, 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.

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 NPS. 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.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Emanuel Cruz at [email protected].

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.