Are you passionate about conservation? Are you interested in advocating for conservation in your community? Are you passionate about volunteering and invasive plant management? If this describes you, and you’re looking for an amazing engaging opportunity, consider applying for that national Captial Region Office of the Appalachian Conservation Corps Invasive Plant Management Team Community Volunteer Ambassador!
CVA Position Description _NCR IPMT
https://www.cvainternships.org/
Location: Washington, D.C.
Position Details:
Stewards Individual Placements 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 local communities.
Community Volunteer Ambassadors (CVAs) support Volunteer-in-Parks programs at National Park Service sites nationwide. This ranges from National Park, National Monuments, National Battlefields, National Historic Sites, National Recreation Areas, and more. The Community Volunteer Ambassador Program was
developed to support NPS sites in connecting with their local communities through service and to provide young adults with a professional development opportunity within the National Park Service. CVAs provide capacity for NPS sites to establish community partnerships, develop new volunteer opportunities, and build
volunteer program resources.
Site Description:
The National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team (NCR IPMT) is one of 17 teams in the Service who assist National Parks and other partners with early detection, prevention, and management of nonnative, invasive plant species. The NCR IPMT provides assistance to 12 National Parks from the center of the
District of Columbia to the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. In addition to deploying a highly trained field crew to tackle on-the-ground management and surveys of non-native, invasive plant species, the team also includes subject matter experts who respond to technical assistance requests, provide management recommendations, and assist with training and outreach efforts.
Position Summary:
Under the supervision of the NCR IPMT Liaison, the CVA will work with NCR parks and partners to identify invasive plant control projects for park volunteers and partner organizations. The CVA will help organize and lead invasive plant volunteer events in the NCR parks. The CVA will also work with members of the National Capital Region – PRISM (Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management) to develop outreach materials, organize Weed Warrior and Invader Detectives training events, organize Trapa
bispinosa removal events, review Invader Detectives observations on iNaturalist and communicate important findings to park staff and partners, and occasionally assist with the team with field operations.
Position Responsibilities:
• Work with NCR parks to identify invasive plant removal volunteer projects
• Organize and lead invasive plant removal volunteer projects (on-time and reoccurring events)
• Identify and organize invasive plants training opportunities for volunteers and park staff (including species identification and management strategies)
• Assist with reviewing and verifying observations of Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) species on iNaturalist
• Help organize and lead Weed Warrior and Invader Detectives training events
• Create flyers and posters for volunteer events
• Assist with recruitment of volunteers
• Assist with Trapa bispinosa outreach efforts and removal events across the geographic boundaries of the NCR-PRISM
• Identify new groups and partners who may be interested in invasive plant removal projects in National Parks
• Occasionally assist the team with field operations to better understand large scale invasive plant control projects
CVA Minimum Requirements:
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, GIS, or other related fields
• Basic knowledge of flora of the Mid-Atlantic Region
• Independent
• Driven
• Good communication skills
• Able to lift 50 lbs
• Able to work in difficult terrain in various weather conditions for up to 10 hours
• Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in early April 2023
• 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:
• Local applicants
• Comfortable with public speaking
• Basic understanding of invasion ecology
• Familiar with common non-native, invasive plans species found in the Mid-Atlantic Region
• Some experience managing invasive plants
• Experience working with volunteers
• Great oral and written communication skills
Additional Information:
• Flexible schedule, but weekend work should be expected
• Vehicle available at the duty station
• Public transportation access near the duty station
• Opportunity to network and collaborate with various governmental and non-governmental
organizations
• Housing is NOT available
Benefits:
• CVA will receive a weekly stipend of $500 (additional $65/week, if housing is not provided)
• Limited health care/childcare benefits
• The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award $6,495.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of the program
• Professional development funds
• 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, February 6th, 2023, and run for 50 weeks until Friday, January 19th 2024. Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application. 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
Friday, December 9th.
For Application Questions:
Please contact Geoff Elliot, Program Director at gelliot@conservationlegacy.org
Stewards Individual Placements Program does not and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, maritalstatus, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all