Community Volunteer Ambassador - Glacier National Park

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-winter-2025 Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references. 

Position Title:  Community Volunteer Ambassador – Glacier National Park - AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements 

Site Location:  West Glacier, MT 

Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early November. Final deadline is Sunday, December 8, 2024. 

Terms of Service: 

Start Date: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 

End Date: Friday, December 19, 2025 

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour  

 Purpose: 

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.  

This unique CVA position will be directly involved in helping to manage all facets of Glacier National Park’s volunteer program that supports an average of 650 volunteers annually, as well as assisting with the park’s curriculum-based education program.  

Site Description  

Established by Congress on May 11, 1910, Glacier National Park was the 10th national park created and protects 1,600 square miles of the scenic northern Rocky Mountains in western Montana. The park displays 26 active, named glaciers, rugged peaks and crystalline turquoise lakes, and other remnants of extensive glaciation.  
  
Surrounded by wilderness, bordered by Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and two forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River, Glacier National Park is part of one of the largest, most intact ecosystems in North America—the Crown of the Continent. Together with Waterton Lakes National Park it is the world’s first international peace park (1932), a UNESCO World Heritage Site (1995), and a UNESCO biosphere reserve (1976). Glacier is also recognized by the International Dark Sky Association as an International Dark Sky Park (2017). Most of the park is also recommended wilderness.  
  
Today, the park attracts up to 3 million or more visitors a year from all over the world. Visitors can enjoy the park in their own vehicles or board a free seasonal shuttle or iconic red bus to ascend the Going-to-the-Sun Road to Logan Pass and cross the Continental Divide. Boundless opportunities exist to experience solitude and truly dark night skies in the backcountry of Glacier National Park. Approximately 746 miles of horse and foot trails interweave almost all sections of the park and allow visitors opportunities to experience the many facets of Glacier National Park.  
  
Glacier National Park depends on dedicated volunteers to perform duties and complete projects that we simply could not do without them. On average, we have 650 volunteers annually donate over 44,000 hours. From overseeing campgrounds to caring for native plants to patrolling over 700 miles of trails, our volunteers help protect our valuable resources and help visitors learn about, and safely enjoy, the many aspects of Glacier National Park. The VIP Program office supports long-term volunteer programs parkwide, as well as individual volunteers that step up for immediate park needs. During the summer season, VIP staff, with support from the CVA, also host service groups coming locally from Montana and across the country to provide short-term volunteer opportunities to these visiting groups. The VIP office also oversees the Artist-in-Residence program, coordinating with park staff and partners to host two month-long artist residencies in the park. The VIP program seeks ways to become more inclusive and equitable, finding opportunities to create collaboration with historically underrepresented groups, such as our neighboring tribal nations. This includes a newer Native America Speaks Artist Residency pilot program.  
  
The CVA will be involved in all aspects of managing Glacier’s volunteer program, with an emphasis on helping to plan and implement Glacier’s transfer onto volunteer.gov, which is an online platform used across the NPS to manage volunteer paperwork and recruitment. Another large focus will be on helping facilitate both our adult and youth service groups. They will help to support individual adult and youth volunteers that are directly supervised by other staff overseeing specific programs such as our Citizen Science, Camp Hosts, Wilderness Patrol and Apgar Visitor Center Volunteer Programs. They will be regularly engaging youths and seniors in their volunteer and education program duties. They will assist with community outreach efforts, such as helping facilitate a park booth at the Northwest Montana Fair and two annual GNP Adopt-a-Highway clean-up events. More information can be found on our website: https://www.nps.gov/glac/getinvolved/volunteer.htm.  
  
Glacier's CVA position will also assist with the park’s curriculum-based education programming. During the school year, when there are not many volunteer groups to assist with, the CVA will spend some of their time working with the education team to connect with students from across the country, both virtually and in person. This includes leading field trips, conducting classroom visits, presenting distance learning programs, and participating in community outreach. Students are generally K-8 and follow program objectives listed at https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/education/rangerguided.htm.  

Description of Duties: 

Glacier’s CVA will arrive in January and spend the first three weeks of their term working with the education team until the Volunteer Coordinator returns from furlough on February 10, 2025. During this time the CVA would receive training on how to work with students and shadow curriculum-based education programs. These programs include leading K-12 students on snowshoe hikes focused on winter ecology, as well as presenting distance learning programs to students nationwide using green screen and video technology.  
  
The CVA will split their time between the VIP and education programs through the rest of the winter and into spring, working on VIP office projects, administrative work to get ready for a busy season, and training to gain knowledge of volunteer management. The CVA will also lead curriculum-based education programs, both in person and virtually.  
  
A major project the CVA will work on during their entire term will be assisting Glacier with planning and executing our transition onto Volunteer.gov, which is a digital platform to manage and recruit volunteers across the NPS.  
  
At the end of April, and throughout May, education programs are normally conducted on trails in the Apgar area. The spring programs focus on habitats, animal adaptations, senses, and phenology. The CVA will receive training on spring education programming and shadow education staff to gain skills needed to lead their own programs, which will also be directly helpful in preparing for leading summer youth service groups with the volunteer office.  
  
All programming and work the CVA will be engaged with involves safety protocols. Programs will continually be evaluated and adjusted for staff and participant safety.  
  
Starting in late May, the CVA will transition to full time work with all aspects of the volunteer program, with a continued emphasis on the park’s transfer to volunteer.gov. The CVA also have a large emphasis on helping facilitate both our adult and youth service groups. They will help coordinate specific weeks of our MCC crews, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other youth and adult service groups. This involves working collaboratively with all divisions, arranging for camping reservations, scheduling work projects, and communicating with the group leaders to ensure the group has a great visit. They will give a park orientation to each group they coordinate, as well as identifying other educational opportunities for these groups where possible.   
  
The CVA will also help support individual adult and youth volunteers that are directly supervised by staff overseeing Citizen Science, Camp Hosts, Wilderness Patrol and Apgar Visitor Center Volunteers, and other volunteer Programs. This will include assisting with volunteer paperwork, uniforms, tracking volunteer hours, website management, other administrative duties and preparing and facilitating volunteer events such as appreciation potlucks and orientations. They will be the lead/co-lead for community outreach events such as the Northwest Montana Fair and two annual GNP Adopt-a-Highway clean-up events.  

Qualifications: 

We are looking for a reliable, resourceful, and flexible person with an outgoing personality, who likes working with youth, to join our team.  

The candidate must be comfortable speaking in front of groups, have strong and effective organization skills for managing the complex details and work projects, have sound judgement and adhere to safety policies.  

Many of the groups the CVA will work with are students and youth, so some experience working with this population is needed. This might include a day care center, after school program, youth camps, volunteer work at a school, babysitting, or similar experience.  

This CVA must have a high level of familiarity with using MS office products to track data and create reports. Knowledge of Excel is also helpful to track volunteer hours and numbers.   

Patience with technology and people and a willingness to learn and implement a new system (volunteer.gov) are critical to this position. Training on Volunteer.gov will be provided.  

The CVA will also be required to be able to obtain first aid/CPR certification (provided after they arrive).  

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien 

Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award  

Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.  

Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in March 2025 (date TBD) 

Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old) 

Must be over 21 years old or have had license for at least 3 years to be insured in this position 

Be able to provide proof of a driver’s license and complete a MVR check 

 Preferred Qualifications:  

To thrive in this work environment the CVA intern will need to be able to work independently, maintain professionalism in a high paced environment and stay highly organized while overseeing multiple projects.   

They will also need to be comfortable hiking and leading groups in a wilderness setting with grizzly bears, mountain lions, and other wild animals. As this is a developmental position, the CVA will not be doing this on their own until they are comfortable doing so. They will also receive bear training, and other skills to work outside safely in the park. Much of the park has limited cell service.   

We are looking for someone with experience facilitating events or managing groups. Ideally this person might have been involved in service projects in their communities and are handy with painting, construction, and other project related skills.  

Involvement in their school in a leadership position where they show they have been comfortable speaking in front of groups is also valuable experience for this position.  

Since the position involves some work with the park’s education team, some kind of teaching experience would be valuable.   

In addition, it would be fabulous for this person to have experience with Facebook and other social media platforms, as well as with website management, but these are not required, as we will provide training in these areas.  

Physical Requirements: 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. 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. 

 Time Requirements: 

This position is expected to serve a 40-hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary and will be set by host site.  

Lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.  

Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

Orientation and Training: 

Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 

Week-long, in-person training on NPS volunteer program management and leadership skills. 

Year-long continuum of learning supporting professional development 

$1,200 in Professional Development Funds   

Additional Information: 

Glacier’s CVA position is unique in that this person will be directly involved helping to manage all facets of Glacier National Park’s volunteer program, as well as in presentation of the park’s curriculum-based education programs for local school groups.  

Winter work with the education staff will help tie the CVA in with the smaller winter community at the park right after they arrive.   

This CVA will be on a maxi-flex schedule, to accommodate the need to occasionally work evenings and weekends.   

This position requires a current driver’s license and personal car, as there is limited to no public transportation in the area.   

Although Glacier is surrounded by rural communities, it is only 20 minutes to Columbia Falls, and two large grocery stores, and about an hour at most to Kalispell, with a Costco and other large box stores.   

Shared Park housing will be provided and is within walking distance to the Volunteer and Education office where the CVA will be working. It will be mostly furnished, with all the major furniture and appliances, including bed, refrigerator, and stove. Staff need to bring their own kitchen supplies and bedding. These homes are all maintained following park safety office standards, with fire extinguishers, Carbon Monoxide detectors, etc. This housing also affords the CVA access to the park community, including laundry facilities, the park library, and WIFI at the community building. The CVA may choose to pay to have their own WIFI installed at their house, the cost of which is generally around $40-$50 per month depending on the carrier.   

They are also in the hub of our park staff residential area, within walking distance to West Glacier and easy access to park functions and other people to recreate and socialize with. Often there are also pick-up soccer games, potlucks and other social events organized by staff living in the headquarters area where the CVA will live, as well as an annual staff BBQ organized by leadership and a Glacier Employee Association summer party.  

Benefits:  

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395 

Living Allowance of $600 per week. 

Additional Benefit of $150 per week, if housing is not provided. 

Healthcare Coverage  

Childcare Coverage  

Loan forbearance  

Interest Payments  

$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. 

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

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 Tuesday, January 21, and run for 48 weeks until Friday, December 19, 2025.  

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-winter-2025 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 November. Final deadline is Sunday, December 8, 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. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps 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.