Job Type: Paid Internship
Salary Details: $720/week
Dates of Service: September 18th, 2023 – August 30th, 2024 (50 weeks) 
Pay: $720/week ($600/week stipend + $120/housing allowance) plus benefits 
Status: This is a full-time, temporary, 1700 hour AmeriCorps National Service position. 

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.  

Through partnerships with federal, state, and local partners, we develop opportunities to assist young people in gaining meaningful experience that will further their professional goals. The Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site, and ACC supports them through their term and provides a variety of benefits to help them in the long term. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.  

Chesapeake Gateways: 

The Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network is a partnership program of the National Park Service and a system of over 150 parks, refuges, museums, historic communities and water trails in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Chesapeake Gateways connects people to experiences of the natural and cultural heritage of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers. We help to conserve special places important to visitors, residents, and the nation, for this and future generations. 

Position Summary: 

Appalachian Conservation Corps and the National Park Service are seeking a Chesapeake Gateways Ambassador to work with National Park Service staff to work on projects to specifically address Chesapeake Gateways’ strategy to “Advance a Major Inclusive Interpretation Initiative with an Equity Lens.” The intern will review, develop, and implement public facing programs, publish digital media resources, facilitate partnership communications and training, and assist in the overall efforts to assist Chesapeake Gateways places and partners in engaging the diverse communities of the Chesapeake watershed. 

The intern will complete two weeks of formal training at the NPS Chesapeake Gateways office to learn basic operations, skills in interpretation, and the natural/cultural resource stories that guide our collective work. The intern will work with the public and may act as the face of  NPS Chesapeake Gateways  at public events, schools, partner meetings, and while roving Chesapeake Gateways places or in the community. The interns will develop and present interpretive programs or services within the first three months of working. Then they will refine or develop and present additional programs as directed by their mentor during the next three months. Throughout the year, they will research and write digital media resources, highlighting under-told stories. After working at the park for several months, the intern will develop “pop-up” programs for visitors and engage with them on an informal level. The intern will assist with other interpretive media projects including signage, and brochures, as a part of a team. The intern will assist other staff with planning and hosting at least eight community programs, including educational field trips. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

  • Community engagement and outreach, especially regarding engagement and involvement of young people in cultural heritage.  
  • Preparing and conducting public programs and workshops focused on at least one of the NPS Chesapeake Gateways themes and utilizing inclusive interpretation principles and 21st Century Interpretation Competencies.  
  • Creating, editing, and publishing content for multiple print and digital platforms including websites, mobile apps, social media, publications, newspapers, magazines, and more.  
  • Developing inclusive interpretation, programming, and experiences at Chesapeake Gateways place for underrepresented communities. 
  • Develop common interpretive content that can be readily adapted and customized for use at individual sites, including thematic interpretive products, such as interpretive signage.  
  • Link culture and nature through interpretation, education, messaging, and initiatives.  
  • Opportunities to participate in a variety of activities and projects related to the mission of the National Park Service depending on interest areas. 

Housing is not provided.  

Benefits:  

  • $720 week ($600/living stipend + $120/housing allowance) paid bi-weekly   
  • $6,495 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1700 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)  
  • Option to enroll in free Health, Vision and Dental benefits 
  • $500 professional development fund 
  • Eligibility for the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions. 
  • Possible federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff 
  • Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  
  • Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered   
  • Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements  
  • Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths  

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Some college course work completed in Communications, History, Public Affairs, Public Speaking, or other related subjects 
  • Experience working in public facing roles and customer service 

Minimum Requirements:  

  • Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (exception for Veterans up to age 35)   
  • Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status   
  • Have a high school diploma or GED  
  • Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check  
  • Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first – please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)  
  • Possess a valid driver’s license 

How to Apply: 

In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through their website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements.