MAJOR DUTIES: Research, develop and present interpretive programs on cave tours, surface hike, and special programs. Assist the special events coordinator in planning, promoting and implementing Special Events i.e. International Festival, National Public Lands Day, Cave Sing etc… to a variety of youth and adult audiences. Assist with a variety of youth projects including Citizen Science projects, Environmental Education curriculum-based Summer Camps groups including leading programs offered to elementary and/or middle school students. Position requires night, weekend and holiday work. Participation in these duties will promote outreach and stewardship opportunities for diverse, low income, and underserved youth populations to play, learn and work in a national park setting that might not otherwise have opportunities to connect with the great outdoors. It will provide an opportunity to increase volunteerism and awareness of community-based efforts and Healthy Parks, Healthy People Programs by encouraging youths to participate in special events such as the park's Mammothon Event hosted by our Friends Groups.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Standing for long periods of time, walking for distances up to six miles daily, climbing and descending steep inclines, bending and lifting moderately heavy items in a repetitive motion is required. Mental stress and physical fatigue occur due to high volume of personal contacts, occasional emergency responses and repetitive nature of interpretive programs. CDC guidelines for Covid-19 will be followed as needed. Staff will wear masks when mandated.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed indoors at the visitor center as well as in outdoor areas, including the cave, resulting in exposure to extreme temperatures, rain, snow, wind and direct sunlight. Intern will be assigned a direct supervisor as well as a mentor.
COMPENSATION DETAILS:
- One-time travel allowance: $1,100
- Housing provided by NPS
- Weekly living allowance: $250 / week
- Eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award of, received upon successful completion of this position in the amount of $2474.27.
- Eligible for Public Land Corp (PLC) hiring authority upon successful completion of this position.
*All allowances subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.*
It is SCA's policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared results prior to the position's start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position's start date will be delayed due to non-compliance.
Conditions of Employment
Beginning on 1/18/22, all new SCA volunteer program participants will be required to be fully vaccinated. Full vaccination is defined in SCA’s COVID Management plan, which can be found here.
Position ID: PO-00735117
Expected Dates: August 14, 2023 - December 15, 2023
Location:
1 Mammoth Cave Parkway
Mammoth Cave, KY 42259
US
Training Provided: Two week training is provided, and on-the-job training where they "shadow" an interpretative guide on all tours. Will also have on-the-job training while assisting the Special Events Coordinator
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Will gain public speaking skills, scientific knowledge, cultural and resource protection skills, skills in emergency service, work with various age groups. Recreational includes hiking/caving, canoeing, after hours activities with co-workers etc.
Handicap Accessible?: No
Main Area of Focus: Education and Interpretation
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Required
Nearest town is Cave City, 10 miles away.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
The seasonal housing area is located a little more than one mile from the Visitor Center. Some employees ride bikes or walk to work. The housing area consists of three buildings, each containing four apartments and a laundry storage room.
Each apartment has one bedroom, a bathroom with a bathtub/ shower, kitchen- living room combination, and hall closets. Each apartment comes furnished with couch, chairs, end table and desk, bedroom furniture (two single beds, dresser and chest of drawers), kitchen furniture (a table and chairs, stove, microwave, and refrigerator). There are both front and back stoops at each apartment. It is very probable that you will be sharing an apartment with someone else of the same gender.
There are some cooking and dining supplies in the kitchen. You may wish to bring utensils, dishes, pots, pans, and anything else you like to cook or bake with. Microwaves are provided. Dish drainers, towels, etc., are also needed. Remember, you will be living in a woodland environment. You may contend with very small animals and some insects. A shower curtain will be provided. You will need towels and your regular toiletries. Tissues and toilet paper are not provided. A vacuum cleaner for each building is stored in the laundry area of that building. You will need to provide your own linens for a twin bed -- mattress pad, sheets, blankets, and a pillow. No pets are allowed in the seasonal apartments or in the park.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes