Interpretive Design Member

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is seeking One Member to contribute to the Interpretive Design project alongside NPS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: June 2024

Estimated End Date: 10/31/2024

*a 23 week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is a UNESCO biosphere reserve located in the Arizona Sonoran desert. The park is home to both the senita and organ pipe cactus and is the only place in the US where the plants grow wild. Summers in the Sonoran desert can be extremely hot with temperatures exceeding 110 degrees and evening lows averaging 72 degrees. Winters can provide comfortable daytime temperatures with much cooler night time temperatures averaging 40 degrees.

The park is located 2 hours away from the cities Tucson and Phoenix, AZ which both host major airports and access to various amenities. The small town of Ajo, Arizona is located just 30 minutes outside of the park and is the closest town for access to several restaurants, a local grocery store, and a public library centers.

For more information about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, please visit the NPS website.

Schedule: The member will work a 5-4-9 schedule working 8, 9-hour days and 1, 8-hour day every 14 days giving a two-day weekend followed by a three-day weekend, Monday- Friday.

Position Overview: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is seeking an environmental education writer with graphic design skills to work with the park's digital ranger in collaboration with tribal patterns to design interpretive panels focused on cultural resources of the park as well as editing and assisting to develop content for the website. Tasks will include working on a multi-disciplinary team to collaboratively identify messages and content for the wayside panels and the website, working with the park's design team. Intern will create print and fabrication ready art using Adobe Creative Suites software. Photography, photo editing in Lightroom or Photoshop and adding metadata skills necessary. Background or education in environmental education, and interpretive writing required. Additional duties may include working with staff to develop an audio tour for Quitobaquito Springs; graphic layout for park rack card, site bulletin and other signage.

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.

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.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general information on our usaconservation website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing for the duration of the term.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $750 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 Adobe Creative Suites, Content Management System (CMS) website management software.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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 criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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 usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing environmental education, parks and recreation, interpretation and/or natural resource management and have relevant experience in subject areas such as interpretation, environmental education and graphic design.
• Knowledge of interpretive writing, Adobe Creative Suites software.
• Ability and willingness to design interpretive products that reflect a broad range of perspectives and viewpoints including Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge.
• Deep interest in interpretation and public lands environmental education.

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 on our usaconservation website.

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 EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Specialist, Emanuel Aragon Cruz.

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.