Job Type: Paid Internship
Salary Details: $600/week
Deadline: Oct 10, 2023
Status: This is a full-time, temporary, 1700 hour AmeriCorps national service position.

Appalachian Conservation Corps 

Appalachian Conservation Corps (ACC) works to connect young people to critical conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, DC, and Pennsylvania. As a corps program, ACC partners with public land managers to identify, plan, and complete projects that improve public access, habitat quality, and economic development. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Our programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. ACC also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.   

Position Details   

The Science Communications Individual Placement is based in Washington, D.C. with the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring program (https://www.nps.gov/im/ncrn/index.htm). This approximately 12 month AmeriCorps position will work to provide Natural Resource Management-related support to the parks and partners in the National Capital Region through the development of reports, fact sheets, web content, and other communications materials. The Individual Placement (IP) will primarily work on office-based assignments with the capacity for some remote work under the mentorship and support of the NPS Staff. The materials created by the IP will provide park resource managers with guidance and information that support caretaking of National Park natural resources and may also provide park interpreters with ways to connect to park visitors and the public. The IP may also catalog and otherwise improve access to natural resource reports and related products that were produced by and for the National Parks of the National Capital Region. 

Responsibilities include but aren’t limited to: 

  • Reading technical reports and sorting out the most important messages. 
  • Organizing and prioritizing large amounts of information. 
  • Proposing and creating effective graphic depictions of data. 
  • Writing compelling prose to deliver important messages.

The purpose of this internship is to provide a concentrated, practical experience in natural resource management that affords the opportunity to apply classroom theory through a “hands-on” experience with the National Park Service. 

Local candidates will have the opportunity to visit the parks and to assist with field operations for vegetation and water data collection. 

Housing is not provided. 

Benefits:  

  • $600/week paid bi-weekly  
  • Option to enroll in free health, vision, and dental benefits 
  • Segal Education award of $6,495 to be used towards future education or student loans at completion of term 
  • Possible student loan forbearance 
  • $500 for professional development or travel 
  • Discounted outdoor gear through Outdoor Prolink 
  • Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  
  • Non-competitive hiring eligibility through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority when applying for federal jobs 
  • Uniform shirts and other necessary safety equipment is provided 
  • On-the-job training 
  • Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered 
  • Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths 

General Qualifications: 

  • 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 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Skilled in written communication on scientific and nature topics 
  • Familiarity with natural resource management, science topics and policy 
  • Skilled with Adobe suite products especially Adobe Acrobat DC 
  • Familiarity with document and multimedia accessibility following Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is preferred (https://www.section508.gov/create/pdfs)

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 our website, www.appalachiancc.org/open-positions.