PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-application-fall-2024 . Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.

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 Community Volunteer Ambassador's (CVA's) primary responsibility will be to improve the existing outreach and education materials and further NCR IPMT's strategy to engage new audiences. This position will also assist the National Capital PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) with coordinating Weed Warrior and Invader Detectives training events and professional development training for community-based organizations and partners. The mission of the National Capital PRISM is to protect biodiversity by minimizing the adverse impacts of invasive species on ecosystems throughout the National Capital Area. PRISM members include both governmental and nongovernmental partners. This position will work closely with the NCR IPMT Liaison and National Capital PRISM Coordinator on various projects to help further PRISM's mission. Weed Warriors are volunteers trained to recognize and remove non-native, invasive plants, while Invader Detectives help National Capital PRISM detect new populations of Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) species. CVA will also be able to join the NCR IPMT field staff and assist them with invasive plant control and surveys throughout the growing season. During their term, the CVA will obtain a pesticide technician license for MD, VA, WV, and DC, complete Operational Leadership training, obtain First Aid/CPR/ AED certification, and have the opportunity to complete Chainsaw Safety, Maintenance and Operations (CSMO) training.

Site Description

The National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team (NCR IPMT) is a program in the regional Natural Resources and Science (NRS) office stationed in Washington, DC. NCR IPMT plans and implements treatments for non-native, invasive plants in the National Parks of the National Capital Region. The team inventories and maps targeted invasive vegetation, develops control strategies, and, through partnerships, follows treatments with restoration of disturbed areas. The team also conducts outreach and education on invasive plants with park staff, interested volunteers, and community groups. Through volunteer opportunities offered by the NCR IPMT, the program hopes to build an invasive species community of practice among governmental and non-governmental partners, including friends' groups and individual volunteers. The team and our partners understand that invasive species do not concern themselves with jurisdictional boundaries, and we must think and act on a landscape scale to improve and protect natural communities found across the great DC metropolitan area.

Position Responsibilities:

· Support NCR parks and National Capital PRISM with Weed Warrior training events.

· Play a key role in training Invader Detectives, whose invaluable task is to monitor and control EDRR species, thereby safeguarding the delicate balance of our region's ecosystem.

· Create outreach and education material for NCR visitors interested in invasive plants.

· Create resource briefs to be shared with the NCR Information Sharing Specialist and distributed among NPS staff and visitors.

· Organize and lead invasive species removal events.

· Work with governmental and non-governmental partners on regional-wide community outreach events.

· Assist with EDRR Horizon Scans, which include reviewing data submitted by volunteers and visitors to help detect new invasive species found in parks.

· Work closely with the National Capital PRISM Coordinator on emerging National Capital PRISM projects that will help engage new audiences and community-based organizations.

· Other duties as assigned.

CVA Minimum Requirements:

· Bachelor of Science degree in biology, ecology, natural resource management, plant science, or similar focus.

· Effective verbal and written communicator.

· Able to work well with others in a team setting.

· Able to work up to 10 hours on rugged terrain and arduous conditions.

· Able to lift 50 lbs.

· Hold a valid Driver's License.

· Outgoing and friendly, especially when working volunteers and visitors.

· Willing to work at least 2 weekends a month.

· Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in late November 2024 (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:

· Previous experience working with vegetation (native or non-native).

· Previous experience working with invasive species .

· Strong interest in invasive species ecology.

· Independent.

· Great public speaker.

Additional Information:

· Telework eligible with a flexible work schedule.

· A government laptop will be provided.

· Federal vehicles available and preferred for official use.

· Ability to obtain pesticide technician license in MD, VA, WV, and DC.

· Ability to obtain First Aid/CPR/ AED certificate.

· Ability to participate in the National Park Service Chainsaw Safety, Maintenance, and Operations (CSMO) training.

· Access to additional training and network opportunities, providing a platform for CVA's professional growth and development.

· Opportunity to shadow the NCR Inventory & Monitoring field crew and the regional wildlife biologist.

· Opportunity to work with staff from NCR parks and other governmental and non-governmental partners.

· No housing provided.

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 $6,895.00 (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 Monday, September 9, 2024, and run for 48 weeks until Friday, August 8, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-application-fall-2024 . 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 June. Final deadline is Sunday, July 7, 2024.

For Application Questions:

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

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

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