Visual Information Member - Great Smoky Mountains (Sugarlands) – AmeriCorps Eligible
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) is seeking ONE Visual Information Member to support of the National Park Service in implementing and delivering interpretive programming to park visitors.
Start Date: September 20, 2020 (may be flexible by a week for the right candidate)
End Date: January 9, 2021 (or 16 weeks from the start date)
* A 16-week minimum commitment is required *
Location: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based out of Sugarlands Visitor Center, located in Gatlinburg, 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 the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.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 shared 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 450-hour ($1,612.43) AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment is required.
Position Description:
This position will work closely with the Visual Information Specialist, working with visual media, website and social media. It will involve taking video and photographs, using editing software, and managing website platforms.
Training Provided: The Member will receive training in park resource knowledge.
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.
Qualifications:
Required:
- 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.
- This position is funded through the Public Land Corps Act which has specific program requirements.
- Must be 18-30 years of age to apply (members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties).
- Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply.
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- A personal vehicle.
- Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
- Candidate is anticipated to have recurring access to vulnerable populations during this position.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Must be able and willing to serve outdoors in varying weather conditions, and capable of participating in physical labor.
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely with resource professionals within NPS.
- Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences; ability to serve alone and in a group.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for the position could hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in photography, photo journalism, communications, social media, natural resource management, park management, or a related discipline.
- Knowledge of, or willing to research and learn about the natural and cultural history of the Southern Appalachians
- A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources.
- Knowledge and skills in the principles of visual media.
- Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
- Enthusiastic about working with students in grades K-8
- Excellent public speaking skills.
- Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.
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/464868.html. 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 Eastern Member Coordinator, Madison Douthitt, (828) 329-4793, 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.