https://www.thegreatbasininstitute.org/job/aquatic-invasive-species-ais-outreach-interns/
Member will provide national service at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, 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 interns to learn about and participate on multiple projects including resource management and education at LMNRA. During the main boating season (April-September), the intern will educate the boating public about aquatic invasive species (AIS) and water safety, as well as gain skills and knowledge of natural and cultural resources in the LMNRA. This position is assigned to the Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Boulder City and Kathrine Landing). This position will be performing a variety of duties including (1) facilitating visitor contacts to create understanding of park resources, aquatic invasive species, and boater safety and responsibility; (2) collecting data on water quality (e.g., water sampling); and (3) encourage visitors behavior to uphold the mission of the National Park Service. Primary Responsibilities: Essential tasks and duties • Staffs launch ramps and is responsible for educating visitors regarding the requirements both state and federal requirements for boater safety and the reasons for the regulations. • Advise visitors concerning aquatic invasive species (AIS), water safety, resource protection, and proper use of facilities. Record visitor use patterns and their effect on the resources. Performs launch ramp, marina, and beach roves informing boater of AIS and educates on the prevention of the spread of AIS to other bodies of water. Informs law enforcement of non-compliant boaters. • Professionally interacts with 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 the resources of the park, 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. Related Responsibilities: • Participate in trainings provided by Lake Mead NRA staff • Professionally represent Lake Mead NRA in the community • Meet with Host Site Supervisor on a weekly basis • Participate in community service days organized by NCC Program • Participate in regular AmeriCorps team 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 with a diverse public in a variety of forums; • Ability to speak English and Spanish conversationally, desirable but not required; • 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 general knowledge of LMNRA 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. • 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. • Skill in meeting and dealing with people. Ability to deal professionally with a diverse range of people in a variety of situations, including maintaining a professional demeanor and using sound judgment 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 chain of command. 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 NRA. 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. Vulnerable Populations: • This position has recurring access to vulnerable populations defined as children age 17 years or younger, individual age 60 years or older; or individuals with disabilities Schedule: This work schedule will generally work a Friday through Monday schedule, working 10 hour work days. Approximately 75% of the interns time will be spent on a launch ramp 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 NPS. The other 25% of the time, will be assigned working with resources management (e.g. water sampling, data collection, inventory management), research on various natural resource topics. Compensation: This is an AmeriCorps position, and candidates will receive a living stipend for the season depending on the length of the service term. 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 that can be used for paying off qualified student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college. 3 month positions - $4,400; $1,515 Education Award 4 month positions – $6,400; $2,182 Education Award 6 month positions – $ 8,750; $2,865 Education Award **Housing may be available for interns stationed at Katherine Landing Timelines: 3 months - Friday May 13, 2016 – Monday August 8, 2016 4 months - Friday May 13, 2016 - Monday September 19, 2016 6 months - Friday May 13, 2016 – Thursday, November 3, 2016 Location: Boulder City, NV (Katherine Landing and Boulder Boat Ramps) These AmeriCorps positions are made possible by a generous grant from the Nevada Commission for National and Community Service. *For more details see: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps These AmeriCorps positions are made possible by a generous grant from the Nevada Commission for National and Community Service. This program prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The above functions may be completed with or without reasonable accommodations This position does not duplicate work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of worker, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in work force, or an employee who is on leave.
