American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking one Education Member to contribute to education projects alongside Cumberland Island National Seashore Staff. The Member will work with local school children virtually, in the classroom, and on field trips at the park.

Start Date: January 9th, 2023 (Flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

End Date:  July 8th, 2023 (or 26 weeks after start date)

*A minimum 26-week commitment is required*

Location: Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA

Cumberland Island National Seashore preserves Cumberland Island, Georgia’s largest and southernmost barrier island. The seashore features beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. The national seashore also preserves and interprets many historic sites and structures.

To learn more about Cumberland Island National Seashore, please visit the NPS website at: https://www.nps.gov/cuis/index.htm. 

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $820/week to offset the costs of food, housing, and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Position Description: The ACE Member will work closely with National Park Service staff to engage primarily 4th grade students in virtual, classroom and/or outdoor activities. They will help transition established field trip program curriculum into a virtual field trip. They will lead a program that provides students a way to recreate and contemplate the natural world in structured and unstructured outdoor education activities on Cumberland Island National Seashore (CUIS).

Duties will include:

Following the prescribed curriculum that was co-developed by CUIS staff with a team of 4th grade teachers assigned by the county elementary curriculum specialist. 

Assisting park education staff with transitioning established curriculum into virtual programs.

Conducting Pre-Visits to schools virtually or in person which focuses on the significance of Cumberland Island National Seashore and its place within the National Park Service. 

Facilitating the following activities during the on-island, or virtual field trips: Forest - Food Web Activity, Beach: Carrying Capacity/Oh Crab activity, Sea Camp Amphitheatre: Animal Adaptations 

Conducting Post Program School Visits virtually or in-person to schools after the on-island visit to witness the products that the students created after their inspiring visit to the island; 

After the conclusion of the prescribed curriculum-based education program, the member will have the opportunity to discuss with CUIS staff the future of CUIS education programming. These extensions may include developing novel distance learning programs.

Training: CUIS staff will provide an orientation on the site and National Park Service. Additionally they will provide training on the content and deliver techniques of the curriculum-based education program developed by CUIS staff and local 4th grade teachers and allow the member to shadow staff.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

Qualifications: 

Required:

Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts

Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 

Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.

A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).

Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.

Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements 

Preferred Skills: 

Competitive applicants for this position may hold or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree or certification in elementary education, natural resources, biology, or a similar field. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable.

Experience working with youth

Knowledge and skills in the principles of education and interpretation.

Deep interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources.

Excellent public speaking skills.

Experience working in classroom and outdoor settings

Knowledge of state education standards

Familiarity with the National Park Service