Are you looking for a position that offers an introduction to a variety of public-facing roles in the National Park Service? This position involves working with two different service teams: 1) Canyon Country Outdoor Education (CCOE), a partnership between the National Park Service and the San Juan County, UT school district; and 2) and The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park, assisting at the visitor center information desk and participating in visitor services and interpretation duties throughout the park.
The CCOE program takes K-6 students from local public schools into the parks and public lands around their communities for hands-on, place-based field trips tied to the Utah science and social studies core standards. Our staff teach both in area schools and the outdoor classrooms of The Needles district of Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument, Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, Goosenecks State Park, and other USFS and BLM sites. Our home base is an office in the small town of Monticello, UT.
The goals of the CCOE program are:
- To help students safely experience and understand the natural and cultural resources of our national parks and surrounding areas;
- To enhance existing state-approved curricula;
- To expose students to a wide range of responsible activities in the outdoors;
- To raise awareness of the natural sciences in the younger generation to prepare them for their roles as citizens.
This is a great position for applicants with career interests in place-based learning, outdoor science instruction, classroom teaching, environmental education, or rural community engagement. Applicants must have prior work experience with elementary-age children such as in a classroom, after-school program, or summer camp, etc. and a strong interest in teaching.
Applicants who are the best fit for this position will have:
- Curiosity about making science learning meaningful for students through facilitating connections to their surrounding landscapes.
- Willingness to live in a rural, isolated area with extremes in weather.
- Cultural humility and openness to multiple ways of thinking about nature and the environment.
- Attention to growing as an educator and receiving feedback on teaching and teaching materials.
- Interest in serving communities surrounding national parks and monuments.
- A student asset-based (vs. deficit-based) mindset towards education.
- A collaborative approach to work and the ability to manage projects independently.
Education duties will include:
- Teach standards-based lessons from the CCOE curriculum, manage students for safety in the outdoors, assist with pre- and post-field trip classroom visits (60%)
- Prepare and plan for instruction, support education program logistics, safely drive a government vehicle, and complete projects to maintain program quality (20%)
- Participate in activities to develop education skills including program debriefs, training sessions for best practices in environmental education, informal peer observation, video self-evaluations, and formal coaching sessions (10%)
- Contribute feedback to program to ensure its continued success (5%)
- Occasionally present and develop extracurricular programming for area youth which may include junior ranger programs, after school clubs, or community events (5%)
Interpretation and Visitor Services duties (2 days/week) will include:
- Answer questions at the visitor center, provide directions, recommend hiking trails, interact with Junior Rangers, process lost and found items, operate a 2-way radio and telephone, and other duties as necessary
- Hike and rove on park trails for the purpose of chatting with visitors, answering questions, and assisting them to gain the most of their visit
- Develop and present an informal junior ranger program for youth groups and families and pop-up tables at viewpoints
- Possibly research, write, and present a formal interpretive talk and/or assist with special events
Compensation amounts:
- $1,100 – one time RT travel allowance
- $600 – weekly living allowance
- Housing provided as a substantially discounted rate
- Reimbursement of uniform pants (up to $50)
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes
*This position is NOT eligible for an AmeriCorps education award
Position ID: PO-00735877
Expected Dates: January 28, 2024 - May 18, 2024
Location:
32 South 1 East
Monticello, UT 84535
US
Training Provided: Interpretive and educational skills for working with children; natural and cultural history of the Colorado Plateau; on-going instructor training (3D science teaching, classroom management, cultural sensitivity/competency).
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Many national parks & monuments, state parks, and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park are all within a 1-2 hour drive from Monticello. USFS land is <15 minutes away; BLM land <20. Area museums and information centers frequently host presentations.
Handicap Accessible?: No
Main Area of Focus: Education and Interpretation
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Not Eligible
Driving Logistics: Required
This area has no public transportation. A personal vehicle is needed to independently obtain groceries, etc. and for any desired off-duty recreation.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
Housing is a shared park apartment or house with private bedroom. Basic kitchen dishware/cookware and utensils will be provided, as well as WiFi service. You should bring your own bedding, towels, toiletries and other needed personal items. Interns are asked to pay a substantially reduced rental rate of $6.04 per night.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes