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Community Volunteer Ambassador – Homestead National Historical Park

Stewards Individual Placement Program
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PLEASE NOTE: All applications must be submitted through this link - https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2027 

Position Title: Community Volunteer Ambassador – AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Homestead National Historical Park

8523 West State Hwy 4, Beatrice, NE68310

Terms of Service:

  • Start Date: 2/22/2027
  • End Date: 2/4/2028
  • AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours (50 Weeks)

 

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) Program combines the strength of a nationalleader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.

Homestead National Historical Park, located near Beatrice, Nebraska, preserves and interprets the history of the Homestead Act of 1862 and its impact on the development of the United States. The park includes historic buildings, restored prairie, woodland trails, museum exhibits, and educational programs.

The park's Volunteers-In-Parks program engages community members in interpretation, education, natural and cultural resource stewardship, special events, and outreach. Volunteers of different ages, backgrounds, and abilities contribute their skills and experiences to support the park's mission. The program continues to expand opportunities for community participation, with a growing emphasis on connecting experienced volunteers with younger generations to share knowledge, develop skills, and strengthen long-term volunteer engagement.

 
Description of Duties:

The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) will help strengthen and expand volunteer engagement at Homestead National Historical Park, with a primary focus on developing a multigenerational volunteer program. Serving with park staff, experienced volunteers, local schools, and community partners, the CVA will help create opportunities for youth and newer volunteers to learn traditional skills and participate in meaningful service.

The CVA will assist with partnership development, volunteer recruitment, program planning, and community outreach while helping create sustainable volunteer opportunities. This position provides hands-on experience in volunteer management, project development, and community engagement, with opportunities to explore a variety of National Park Service career fields.

Responsibilities:

  • Support the development of a multigenerational volunteer program that connects experienced volunteers with youth and newer participants.
  • Serve with park staff and volunteers to identify traditional skills, including quilting, woodworking, spinning, leatherworking, and historic demonstrations, that can be shared through mentorship.
  • Build and strengthen partnerships with local schools, colleges, community organizations, and existing park partners.
  • Assist with volunteer recruitment, communication, scheduling, and coordination.
  • Develop volunteer position descriptions, training materials, and resources to support new and existing volunteer opportunities.
  • Collaborate with staff across park divisions to identify and develop meaningful volunteer projects.
  • Participate in community outreach activities, special events, and public programs to promote volunteer opportunities.
  • Explore new volunteer opportunities that accommodate different interests, abilities, and schedules, including remote and project-based participation.
  • Document partnerships, procedures, and program resources to help ensure volunteer initiatives continue beyond the CVA's service term.

 
Qualifications:

  • Some college coursework.
  • Demonstrate an interest in volunteerism, community engagement, history, education, or conservation.
  • Be willing to learn new skills and serve collaboratively with park staff, volunteers, and community partners.
  • Possess effective communication skills.
  • Possess effective organizational skills.
  • Demonstrate dependability, initiative, adaptability, and a positive attitude.
  • Be comfortable interacting with people of different ages, backgrounds, experiences, and abilities.
  • Be willing to participate in required training and follow National Park Service safety procedures.
  • United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
  • Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veterans, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
  • Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
  • Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • College diploma or degree, preferably in history, education, natural resource management, communications, nonprofit management, or a related field.
  • Familiarity with Beatrice, southeast Nebraska, or surrounding communities.
  • Experience volunteering, coordinating volunteers, or participating in community service projects.
  • Experience working with youth, schools, community organizations, or multigenerational groups.
  • Interest in American history, historic preservation, traditional trades, or cultural heritage.
  • Experience with public speaking, community outreach, or engaging members of the public.
  • Strong written communication skills.
  • Strong organizational skills.
  • Experience planning activities, coordinating projects, or supporting special events.

 

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Vanessa Morrison at vmorrison@conservationlegacy.org

 

Time Requirements:

  • Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service 
  • Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

 

Orientation and Training:

  • Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
  • Week-long, in-person training on NPS Volunteer Program Management and leadership schools.
  • Year-long Continuum of Learning supporting participant professional development.
  • $750.00 in Professional Development Funds for travel and training.

 

Additional Position and Community Information:

Homestead National Historical Park offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the National Park Service while helping develop a multigenerational volunteer program that preserves traditional skills and strengthens community connections. The CVA will have opportunities to contribute ideas, develop projects, and see their service become part of the park's ongoing volunteer program.

Housing at the park is available. The CVA will have a private bedroom with a locking door and desk in a shared, furnished house with a full kitchen, living and dining areas, and laundry facilities. The house is within walking distance of both visitor centers, eliminating the need for a daily commute. Transportation is needed to reach nearby Beatrice for groceries and other services.

The CVA will serve closely with a Volunteer Coordinator who has supervised two previous CVAs and will provide regular mentorship, project guidance, and professional development opportunities. The position also offers opportunities to collaborate with staff in interpretation, education, natural and cultural resources, facilities, and administration.

The park maintains partnerships with local schools, colleges, heritage organizations, and community groups, providing opportunities for outreach, relationship building, and professional networking. Training and project assignments will be developed with consideration for the CVA's interests and career goals, allowing the member to explore different National Park Service career paths while making meaningful contributions to the park. 

Benefits:

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
  • Living Allowance of $700.00 per week.
  • Healthcare Coverage if Eligible 
  • Childcare Coverage if Eligible
  • Loan forbearance if Eligible
  • Interest Payments if Eligible
  • 10 Federal Holidays, 10 Days Personal Leave, 10 Days Sick Leave

 

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

 

Program Contact Information:

Please contact James Gasaway at the contact information below with any questions.

Stewards Contact information: James Gasaway, jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org

 

 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, 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 reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.