Visitor Use/Curatorial Assistant, Shenandoah National Park (Rapidan) - AmeriCorps Eligible

Summary:  American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Shenandoah National Park, is seeking ONE Visitor Use/Curatorial Assistant interested in dedicating 8 weeks in support of the National Park Service. The ACE member will assist with interpretation, security, grounds maintenance, integrated pest management, and preservation maintenance at Rapidan Camp, and preservation of the museum exhibit spaces. They will maximize visitor access to this historic house museum within the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park.

This excellent opportunity is ideal for an enthusiastic individuals who are deeply committed to the preservation of our national parks. Applicants must have a strong interest in interpretation, conservation, museum preservation, education, and natural resource management.

*An 8-week commitment is required*

 Location: Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park contains 196,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park's backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains 500 miles of trails, including 95 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and nearly 80,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Skyline Drive, the famous scenic tour road through the Park, follows the ridge crest for 105 miles and connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nearly two million people visit the Park each year to enjoy views from the Skyline Drive, hike trails, rock climb, enjoy nature study, camp, or stay overnight in one of the Park's rustic lodges or backcountry cabins. The Park supports approximately 1400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 39 species of fishes, over 230 species of aquatic invertebrates and provide some of the best protected strongholds for native eastern brook trout south of Maine.

Project Website: For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm. For information about Rapidan Camp https://www.nps.gov/shen/learn/historyculture/rapidancamp.htm

For more information on American Conservation Experience, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $170/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. A $500 travel allowance will be distributed evenly throughout the term to aid in the costs of relocation.

Housing: Housing consists of a historic cabin (Creel Cabin, Rapidan Camp), at the work location. The closest town is the town of Stanley about 45 minutes away. Luray, Front Royal, and Harrisonburg are about an hour to an hour and a half away. Laundry facilities are available at the Big Meadows Campground.

There is no cell phone reception or internet at Rapidan Camp. A calling card is recommended for outgoing phone calls. Incoming calls can be made to Creel Cabin. A personal vehicle is required due to the remote location. A government vehicle will be available for work related travel and for transportation between a personal vehicle and the camp.

The member must be comfortable living independently in a remote area with a high density of snakes.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 300-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,289.95) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment is required.

Scheduling: Off days for the member will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Weekend service is expected throughout the membership. ~8 hour days will be anticipated.

Position Description: 

Interpretive Duties: The member will assist interpretive staff with formal park programs. For visitors on foot, the member will develop their own thematic program related to Herbert and Lou Hoover and Rapidan Camp. They will provide their interpretive program to interested park visitors and hikers.

Museum Preservation Duties: Routine cleaning of the structure and preservation cleaning of the historic house museum artifacts. Cleaning will be done under the guidance of the museum specialist using appropriate gloves, handling techniques, and other museum quality materials. They will monitor the environment in the structure for temperature and humidity using fans and opening and closing windows as appropriate to help control the internal environment, minimizing the damage these can cause. Using appropriate museum materials, they will put quilts out daily for visitors and pack them away at night.

Environmental Monitoring Duties: Assist with seasonal visible and ultra-violet light readings used to develop a more protected environment for museum objects. This position is critical for maximizing visitor access to this historic house museum. Without this position, visitors only have access to this historic house museum four times a week through the interpretive staff program. Other museum responsibilities such as labeling museum objects may be assigned based on member interest and time available.

Physical Demands: Ability to lift furniture, and equipment (50 lbs); use weed trimming and leaf blowing equipment for landscape maintenance; ability to bend, stoop and crawl; work in variable temperatures both outside and inside (hot, cool, and humid). May entail some hiking over rough terrain (level to extremely steep and rocky); willingness to be exposed to hazards of the field environment (inclement weather, ticks, stinging insects, bears). Member may see black bears, serve in venomous snake habitat, be exposed to bugs, ticks, and poison ivy, and get bruises/scratches.

Educational and Training Opportunities:  The staff at Shenandoah National Park will coordinate with the member to set up educational cross-training days as interest and opportunities allow. Topics may include plant restoration, invasive plant control, vegetative monitoring/sampling, fisheries, wildlife, trail work, historic structures, archeological location searching, GIS/use of GPS equipment, interpretation, or student education.

Qualifications: 

Competitive applicants for the position will hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in environmental science, natural resource management, park management, cultural/historic preservation, education or a related discipline.

 

To Apply: Please submit a well-crafted resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper righthand corner of the position listing on our website, found through the external application link on Handshake.

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

EEO: 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.