Member will provide national service at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service and a host site for the Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Program.

Position Summary:

Working collaboratively with Lake Mead National Recreation Area (LMNRA), the Great Basin Institute is recruiting (8) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Outreach Team Member Intern to learn about and participate in activities focused on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species by recreational watercraft. This internship also provides the opportunity to work on multiple projects including resource management and education at the park. During the main boating season (May-September), the AIS outreach intern will educate the boating public about aquatic invasive species (AIS) and water safety, as well as gain skills and knowledge about the natural and cultural resources at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

This position is assigned to be a member on one of two small teams operating at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Boulder City, and Kathrine Landing). This position will be performing a variety of duties including (1) Working as part of a diverse outreach team providing exceptional education messages about aquatic invasive species to public audiences; (2) Facilitating visitor contacts to create understanding of park resources, aquatic invasive species, and boater safety and responsibility; (3) Supporting resource management activities (e.g., water sampling); and (4) Encouraging visitors to uphold the mission of the National Park Service.

Primary Responsibilities:

Essential tasks and duties

Works outside on different launch ramps assigned by team lead within Lake Mead National Recreational Area and is responsible for educating visitors regarding both state and federal requirements for boater safety, resource protection, and the reasons for the regulations.
Advise visitors concerning aquatic invasive species (AIS), water safety, resource protection, and proper use of National Park Service facilities. Record visitor use patterns and their effect on the resources. Performs launch ramp, marina, and beach roves informing boaters and park visitors of AIS and educates them on the prevention of the spread of AIS to other bodies of water.  Informs law enforcement of non-compliant boaters.
Professionally interacts with team members and a variety of people including the visiting public, park colleagues, and staff from park partner and permittee organizations.  Clearly and effectively communicates information related to AIS to the people/groups listed above.  Uses tact and diplomacy to handle contentious situations.
Educates and informs visitors about the significance of park resources, about the laws, rules, regulations relating to the protection of resources from AIS, and about operations of the park and safe use of the resources.  Preserves the natural and cultural resources of the park by preventing the degradation, deterioration, and destruction of the ecosystems, scenery, wildlife, historical structures and artifacts through implementation of the park’s invasive species program.
Informs visitors about park facilities and resources.  Provides visitors with information concerning points of interest, travel routes, historical and natural features and park activities.  Provides answers to recurring and nonrecurring visitor questions concerning the park area.  Learns park resources by reviewing maps, park research materials, and other documents previously prepared by park rangers and other professionals. 
Duties are performed on or off site at locations designated by the park (e.g., visitor center, community events, marinas, and launch ramps).
Informs visitors about park flora and the life habits and behavior of park fauna, with emphasis on behavior that may be potentially dangerous to visitors.   As assigned, performs resource management tasks and duties supporting the mission of the park.
Performs work safely by adhering to all established safety procedures including daily check-in/check-out procedures.

Related Responsibilities:

Participate in trainings provided by Lake Mead National Recreation Area staff
Professionally represent Lake Mead  National Recreation Area and the National Park Service in the park and in the surrounding community
Meet with Host Site Supervisor on a weekly basis
Assist with compiling related information for quarterly reporting
Participate in community service days organized by NCC Program
Participate in regular AmeriCorps team meetings
Attend monthly NPS Division Meetings

Required Skills or Qualifications:

Dedication to the position and the AmeriCorps Service Contract;
Motivated, self-starter who is detail oriented;
Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities;
Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with a diverse public in a variety of forums;
Skilled in meeting and dealing with people.  Ability to deal professional with a diverse range of people in a variety of situations, including maintaining a professional demeanor and using sound judgement when faced with stressful, controversial, unprecedented, and/or emergency situations that have the potential for reflecting negatively on the agency.  Must know when to defer escalating situations to law enforcement, or next in line of chain of command. 
Ability to speak English and Spanish conversationally, desirable but not required;
Willing to learn general knowledge of Lake Mead National Recreation Area operations, the National Park Service Mission, and the relationship of the park’s use and management program. 
Willing to learn about aquatic species threats, biology, transport and abatement. 
Some college education, desirable but not required;
Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments;
Possess clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license;
.
Willing to learn about aquatic species threats, biology, transport and abatement.
Willing to learn about the various laws, agency policies, rules, and regulations which apply to the protection of park resources and specific knowledge of the Federal, Park, and State laws pertaining to the transport of invasive species.
Willing to learn about the natural and cultural resources of the park, (e.g., vegetation, wildlife communities, water resources, historic structure and artifacts), and the minimum impact and safety requirements for each permitted activity.
Willing to learn about the types and extent of emergency operations which are carried out in the park and the skills and ability to apply, in a variety of emergency situations, the methods and techniques involved.
Ability to take direction, communicate, and work with others as a member of a team.
Ability to follow set procedures and systematic methods for a variety of tasks.
Knowledge on safety and risk management procedures applicable to the position.

Benefits/Experience Gained:

The AmeriCorps member will gain valuable experience in public speaking, customer service, volunteer engagement, hands-on experience with natural resource activities, and working independently. The member will learn about all aspects of education and natural resource management within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. They will develop an extensive knowledge of a broad scope of conservation and resource management topics with respect to their service site.

Additional Guidelines:

Dress Code:

AmeriCorps members must always wear AmeriCorps gear while serving, to be provided by the NCC Program.
AmeriCorps members are expected to dress according to rules established by the National Park Service.
While on launch ramps, AmeriCorps members must wear high-visibility safety vests provided by NCC and/or NPS.

Schedule:

The AIS Invasive Species Outreach Team work schedule is performed on weekends, including holidays, working 10 hour work days during the peak boating season (May – September). Off-season (October – April) work schedule may shift to a more traditional Monday through Thursday schedule depending on need, working 10 hour work days.  Approximately 75% of the intern’s time will be spent outside on a launch ramps, marinas, and beaches talking with, and educating visitors on aquatic invasive species. This task will be spent outside in temperatures up to 110+ degrees. Although majority of the time will be spent on the launch ramps, this may also include leading conversations about AIS in the visitor center and/or attending community events representing the National Park Service. Approximately 15% of the intern’s time will be spent collecting visitor use statistics (e.g. trailer counts), entering visitor contact data, compiling data, and assisting in reporting outreach and educational activities. The other 10% of the time, will be assigned working with resources management (e.g. water sampling, data collection, inventory management), research on various natural resource topics including AIS.

Compensation:
This is an AmeriCorps position, and candidates will receive a living stipend for the season in the amount of $6,550.00. This is not an hourly wage or a salary and is paid to members every other week throughout the service term. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service, members shall receive an additional education award in the amount of 2,215.24 that can be used for paying off qualified student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college.

**Housing is not provided as part of this internship.  Staff members on-site can assist the successful candidate in finding housing.

Timelines:
4 months - May, 2018 – September, 2018 (flexible end date)

Preferred start date May 7, 2018

Location:

Boulder Basin (Boulder City, Nevada)

Katherine’s Landing (Laughlin, NV/Bullhead City, AZ)