PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2026 Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.

Position Title: Community Volunteer Ambassador, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements Program

Site Location: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park

91 Bartlett Park Rd, Middlesboro, KY 40965

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 2/23/2026
• End Date: 2/5/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour Slot

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 emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.

Located where Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia meet, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park includes over 24,000 acres with 85 miles of hiking trails, 14,000 acres of proposed wilderness, front and back country camping, and lush forests and mountains. Cumberland Gap has played an important role in travel, trade, war, and migration for centuries and has a rich history of use by bison, Shawnee, Cherokee, European explorers, long hunters, pioneers, enslaved peoples, Civil War soldiers, Appalachian settlers, coal miners, and motorists.

The park engages local, youth, and resident volunteers. Some of the positions available include helping with cave tours, give guided tours, visitor center operations, trail maintenance, campground operations, living history, roving at the Pinnacle Overlook, and other programs.

The incumbent will work alongside the Volunteer Coordinator to grow and strengthen the park’s volunteer program and community partnerships. They will collaborate with local organizations to develop an Adopt-a-Trail program and to recruit volunteers for the annual cleanup event. Additionally, the incumbent will engage with the local community to build a more consistent and varied volunteer base, including making rack cards, in-person outreach in the local community, and using Volunteer.gov and other social media platforms to expand and enhance volunteer participation.

Description of Duties:

· Represent the park at area programs, career fairs, festivals, and other events

· Reach out to and engage with varied local communities

· Create a volunteer recruitment rack card to be distributed at community centers and other places in the local community

· Work with Volunteer Coordinator and partners to manage and expand Adopt-a-Trail program

· Recruit new volunteers, maintain positive connections with current volunteers, work with maintenance staff to conduct training, coordinate trail work, and manage equipment inventory

· Collaborate with Volunteer Coordinator to develop an off-site outreach presentation, which can be delivered at schools, community organizations, and partner meetings to promote the park’s volunteer program

· Engage with the local community, particularly in Middlesboro, KY, through in-person outreach efforts at civic events, libraries, and local gatherings to directly connect with potential volunteers

· Work with partners to plan and coordinate an annual volunteer cleanup event

· Identify and reach out to potential community partners in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia to plan for America’s 250th Anniversary events and recognition

· Develop creative outreach strategies, including targeted social media campaigns, to raise awareness of volunteer opportunities

· Create comprehensive training packets and orientation materials for new volunteers in each area of service (front desk, Pinnacle, cave tours)

· Lead or co-facilitate training sessions, helping onboard volunteers and introduce them to park policies, safety procedures, and visitor engagement strategies

· Help manage the park volunteer program

· Conduct outreach in area communities and online to recruit new volunteers, track and report volunteer hours and contributions, and create opportunities to recognize and appreciate volunteers

· Assist with managing and posting all volunteer opportunities on Volunteer.gov to ensure accuracy, visibility, and consistency

· Support the park in transitioning to using Volunteer.gov not only for recruitment but also for onboarding and tracking volunteer contributions

· Other duties as assigned may include but not be limited to assisting with media relations, creating a B.A.R.K. Ranger program, providing backup support for visitor center operations, and creating social media content

Qualifications:

• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate motor vehicles
• Outgoing and friendly attitude
• Ability to make everyone feel welcome
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
• Initiative and creativity to generate effective ideas and methods to accomplish goals
• Ability to represent the park in a professional and courteous manner
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Experience with public speaking

· Skill using computers and software including Word, Excel, Publisher, and Powerpoint

· Skills in verbal and written communication

· Experience working with and effectively engaging youth

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, 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.
• Week-long, in-person training on NPS volunteer program management and leadership skills
• Year-long continuum of learning supporting professional development
• $750.00 in Professional Development Funds for travel and training

Additional Position and Community Information:

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park can provide housing at a cost to the tenant. The tenet will be sent a bill of collection monthly of $398.01.

Housing accommodations are located within the park, not far from the headquarters building and near picnic tables with a wooded trail and a picturesque creek. Accommodations are shared with up to 2 other park employees or individual placements, but they each have their own room. The Furnished house is a three-bedroom home with central air and heat. Utilities (electric, water, and sewer) are paid by the park. The CVA will have their own bedroom space furnished with a twin bed, nightstand, writing desk, dresser, and closet. The CVA and roommate(s) will share a furnished common living room, bathroom, and kitchen/dining area. Stove microwave refrigerator, washer and dryer, are available in the residence. Some cookware and utensils left by previous tenants can be found in the space, although there is no guarantee what is in the assigned home. WIFI is provided by the park and will be included in the rent at $20.83 a month.

The housing is about one mile from the main park visitor center where the CVA will work. CVA will need their own transportation to get to local grocery stores with the nearest being in Middlesboro KY about 2 miles away. Middlesboro has banks, grocery stores (Kroger, Walmart, and Food City), restaurants, gas stations, a hospital, other businesses, and a public library.

Within a couple of miles, the CVA will find 85 miles of trail through the park and other in the surrounding communities. About 90 minutes away is the closest airport in Knoxville, TN where they will also find other amenities.

In addition to its outdoor recreation opportunities, the park showcases a rich historical narrative encompassing early settlement, Native American history, African American heritage, and significant events of the early 20th century. This position also offers a flexible work schedule and provides opportunities to support a variety of events, including weekend programs.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $150.00 per week if housing is NOT provided by NPS host site at no cost to the participant.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• 10 Federal Holidays, 13 days Personal Leave, 13 days Sick Leave

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 Monday, February 23, 2026 and run for 50 weeks until Friday, February 5, 2027.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2026

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 different populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.

Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final deadline is Friday, January 9, 2026.

For Application Questions:

Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is 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.