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One Year National Park Internship in Kentucky

National Park Service
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Community Volunteer Ambassador – Camp Nelson National Monument

Location: Nicholasville, KY

Position Details: Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) Program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train a diverse group of emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.

The CVA will work closely with NPS staff to enhance the Volunteer Program at CANE, including across all divisions. Our former CVA set the foundation for the VIP Program in 2023-24, and we're looking for the new CVA to build-on from that success, including creating more positions, maintaining volunteer.gov, leading trainings for new VIPs, and organize volunteer events. The CVA will also have the opportunity to assist with special events and projects.

Site Description: Camp Nelson National Monument was established in November 2018 as the 418th unit of the National Park Service. The park administers, protects, and interprets the site of a Civil War supply depot, recruitment center for United States Colored Troops, and refugee site for formerly enslaved African Americans. Located along Hwy. 27 in Nicholasville Kentucky, the park includes the main camp area and the Fee Memorial Church, the site of the Home for Colored Refugees in the present-day community of Hall. The Division of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services manages the Visitor Center and Museum, and Public Programs. Currently, the Volunteer Program consists of 4 regular VIPs who work at the park, and 2 who work remotely doing research. We aim to further develop the VIP program that was established by our former CVA in 2023-24

Position Responsibilities:

  • Maintain Volunteer.gov
  • Ensure all VIP Agreements are update to date
  • Recruit VIPs for park divisions and special events
  • Assist with outreach efforts
  • Assist with training new staff
  • Support special events, programs, and projects

CVA Minimum Requirements:

  • Interest in public lands and engaging with visitors of all backgrounds
  • Flexible
  • Team orientated
  • Positive Attitude
  • Ability to effectively communicate with team and visitors
  • Empathetic with visitors and colleagues
  • Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in March 2025 (date TBD)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
  • Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old)
  • High School Diploma/GED
  • Pass fingerprint-based FBI, state criminal, and a national sex offender checks.
  • Be able to provide proof of a driver’s license and complete a MVR check
  • Must be over 21 years old or have had license for at least 3 years to be insured in this position

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Public speaking experience or willingness to learn
  • Ability to effectively to communicate with visitors in person and via phone and email
  • Ability to passionately engage with visitors and general public

Additional Information:

The CVA will likely work Tuesday-Saturday, and will be stationed in the Visitor Center with the Interpretation Team. The CVA will have opportunities to work with the other divisions, especially Facilities and Resources, to support their VIP goals, programs, and projects. The CVA may be scheduled to assist with a special even to include working evenings and weekends.

There are housing options in the commuting area, especially Lexington, where the majority of our interns and other staff have secured temporary housing. The CVA will have opportunities to collaborate with other NPS sites, local sites and organizations/institutions, and descendant communities around the park

Benefits:

  • $600/week living stipend.
  • $150/week in housing allowance, if housing is not provided. 
  • Limited health care/childcare benefits
  • The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award $7,395.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of the program
  • $1,200 in Professional Development funds for training, networking, conferences, and/or travel.
  • Networking opportunities within the National Park Service and partnering organizations
  • Public Land Corps Hiring Authority
  • Week-long in-person training at NPS site with travel/meal expenses covered. 

How to Apply 

Please visit Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) to review “Member Positions” by region and find instructions on how to apply. 

The CVA position will start on Tuesday, January 21, and run for 48 weeks until Friday, December 19, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-memberapplication-winter-2025 Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references. 

Please ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the CVA program, your experience working with diverse populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in. 

Applications Deadline 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early November. Final deadline is Sunday, December 8, 2024. 

For Application Questions: 

Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org