Position Title: Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) AmeriCorps Member with Keweenaw National Historical Park

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Keweenaw National Historic Park
25970 Red Jacket Rd., Calumet, MI 49913

Terms of Service: 12 weeks

• Start Date: 01/26/2026
• End Date: 04/17/2026
• Application Deadline: Maybe 11/30/2025
• Number of Positions Available: 1
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

Stewards Individual Placements & Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) Initiative:
Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. The Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) initiative aims to increase access to the outdoors for everyone. Are you passionate about disability rights and accessibility in National Parks and public lands? Do you have a personal connection to the disability community? Our health, our planet, and our collective future rely on diversity – in thought, ability, experience, and ideas. That’s why we need YOU. Become a Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) member and help make the outdoors more accessible for all!

Role of YES Member at Keweenaw National Historical Park
Keweenaw National Historical Park aims to preserve the nationally significant historical and cultural sites, structures, and districts of the Keweenaw Peninsula and interpret the historical, geological, archeological, cultural, technological, and corporate forces that relate the story of copper on the Keweenaw Peninsula. The Interpretation and Education Division at Keweenaw National Historical Park strives to provide memorable and meaningful learning and recreational experiences, fostering development of a personal stewardship ethic, and broadening public support for preserving park resources.

The Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) AmeriCorps Member at Keweenaw National Historical Park will add important resources to the park’s interpretive toolbox by creating accessible audio described read-along recordings of the Junior Ranger books for Keweenaw NHP. These Junior Ranger books will be available on the park’s website, allowing them to be accessed by a computer or phone. This product will make the Junior Ranger activities more accessible while visiting the park or at home.

The YES member will work alongside the park staff and gain specific technical knowledge needed for creating digital content. They will work with their supervisor, the Interpretation and Education Program Manager, and other park staff in the course of their work.

In addition to work on the Junior Ranger books, the YES member will also help staff the Calumet Visitor Center; providing information and orientation to visitors.

Description of Duties:

To achieve the goals of this YES position, the member will:

• · Prototype, test, evaluate, refine, and finalize educational audio descriptions of the Junior Ranger and Junior Explorer Books

o Utilize universal design techniques for increased/enhanced accessibility

o Create written audio description script of content, including descriptions of the images

o Design additional web-based content with audio descriptions to accompany the Junior Ranger and Junior Explorer Books to help connect visitors in new ways to the stories and concepts shared at Keweenaw National Historical Park

• · Research park stories to enhance knowledge of park stories and resources

o Explore exhibits in the Calumet Visitor Center and visit partner sites

o Research park themes using secondary and primary sources available in the park library, archives, and museum collections

• · Support the Calumet Visitor Center

o Provide center and park orientations to visitors, including trip-planning assistance

o Assist with ranger programs and/or special events

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Be between the ages of 18-30 (or up to age 35 with Veteran status)
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Able to commit to 12 weeks of service
• Have a connection to the disability community
• Interest in history, education, interpretation, accessible design, and/or web content development

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Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Someone willing to share their ideas
• Strong communication skills
• Ability to think and problem solve creatively
• Ability to work in collaboration on a team
• Willingness to try new things
• Good organization skills

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Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve a 9AM to 5PM Monday to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• 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.
• Visitor Center Operations training
• Interpretive concepts for program development training
• Research basics
• How to write audio descriptions and alternative text
• Training on use of video and audio equipment
• How to use Adobe tools and other editing software
  
  

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1956.35, pre-tax
• Living Allowance of $600 per week
• Additional Benefits of $100 per week
• Access to all member and alumni benefits of Conservation Legacy
• Opportunity to make a HUGE impact on your community
• Service opportunities can help propel your career forward with intentional experience and professional connections

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.

Application, Resume and Cover Letter:
When uploading and attaching your resume to this application, please also upload and attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, please note your interest and qualifications in this position.

How to Apply:
To apply, please click on the green “apply” button in the top right corner of the page. In addition to uploading your resume to this application, please also upload and attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, please address your experience with the disability community.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:
Susie Schroer
Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator
sschroer@conservationlegacy.org
970-317-9131

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.