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, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements Program

Site Location: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

7200 Paredes Line Road, Brownsville, TX 78526

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.

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park is the site of the first major battle of the U.S.-Mexican War and is the only National Park Service unit to interpret the U.S.-Mexican War. It provides an opportunity to learn about the war, its causes and consequences, and its impact on the relationship between the U.S. and Mexico.

Palo Alto Battlefield offers a variety of established education and outreach programs and materials. However, demand often exceeds the capacity of its Interpretive staff. To address this gap, Palo Alto relies on its volunteer program. In addition, volunteers support Palo Alto’s outreach efforts and help maintain the Visitor Center open.

The CVA will leverage existing partnerships with the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Texas Southmost College (TSC), and the Texas Master Naturalists Program. This endeavor is aimed at recruiting education and outreach program volunteers. In addition, the CVA will work to recruit volunteers for the park’s secondary unit, Resaca de la Palma Battlefield. The site’s Contact Station has not been consistently staffed, resulting in reduced visitor services as well as challenges to safety and resource protection.

Description of Duties:

· Maintain direct and clear communication with the Primary Supervisor

· Work with primary supervisor to co-create an Individual Development Plan (IDP)

· Work closely with the Secondary Supervisor for day-to-day operations

· Participate in team-building activities

· Ensure all required safety training is completed

· Actively participate in team meetings, planning sessions, and joint projects

· Assist with volunteer recruitment and training

· Conduct volunteer recruitment at special events

Qualifications:

• Outgoing and friendly demeanor
• Comfortable working in various work environments, including outdoors
• Actively participate in speak up culture on the job
• 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:

· Public speaking

· Outreach experience

· People management

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:

Work schedule may include weekends and evenings and/or attending outreach events up to 50 miles from the site.

NPS Host site does not provide housing for CVA.

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