Position Title: NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Virgin Islands National Park- Water Lab & Utility Shop Service Member – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements - East
Site Location: NPS - Virgin Islands National Park
1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830
Terms of Service:
- Start Date: 03/23/2026
- End Date: 09/19/2026
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900Hours (26 Weeks)
Purpose:
Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps affiliated program that provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the health of natural areas. Stewards, in partnership with VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK (VIIS) are seeking two AmeriCorps service members to assist in maintaining the Park's 33 residential and public water and wastewater systems.
This support will include assistance in the daily operations of potable water and wastewater treatment facilities. The opportunity allows members to gain exposure to laboratory testing, system monitoring, compliance, construction, and equipment repairs which are critical to the safety of the Virgin Islands National Park visitors and the surrounding community and ecosystems.
Description of Duties:
- Learn about the history of the Virgin Islands National Park and the importance of the sensitive ecosystems, including coral reefs and marine habitats around the park.
- Assist Public Health Officer and Utility Systems Repairer/Operator to perform day-to-day tasks associated with operating and maintaining the residential, public water, and wastewater systems within the park.
- Assist staff in addressing deficiencies identified in the Public Health Assessment conducted in January and March of 2026. These deficiencies may include locating various water and wastewater features, replacement of features, ensuring proper operations, and opportunities to create suggestions for fixes to deficiencies.
- Assist PHS Officer, Utility Systems Repairer/Operator, and Archeologist (GIS Coordinator) to field locate and GPS the location of water and wastewater features. Members will help with the development of logs for use with water and wastewater features, potentially through GIS or other online software available to the park.
- Assist PHS Officer and Utility Systems Repairer/Operator to prepare and install a residential wastewater system previously designed.
- Assist USRO in the oversight of a Parkwide Utility Infrastructure Project
- Members will observe contractors completing work on water and wastewater projects and be included in weekly meeting updates.
- Assist USRO in Technical review of Water/Wastewater components of this project.
- Operate light trucks and other vehicles to access systems and move supplies and materials.
- Collect water samples and perform water testing in accordance with Standard Methods and State Requirements.
- Conduct routine system checks and monitor chlorine residuals on 16 residential units managed by the park.
- Perform general maintenance and cleanup to pumphouses, treatment plants, laboratories, and vehicles.
- Analyze water results and make corrections to treatment processes.
- Complete hard copy and electronic paperwork, forms, and data-entry; compile and review information and create draft reports.
- Job shadow other employees and work groups to gain exposure to other career paths and facets of park operations.
- Assist Supervisor and other administrative staff with tasks such as data collection and contract monitoring, fleet management, and supply inventory and monitoring.
- Prepare documents and reports using tablets, GIS, data management and word processing software.
Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
- At least 18 years of age, Veterans up to 35 years of age.
- Ability to commit to a 26-week experience of combined training and hands-on work
- 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
- Preference given to candidates enrolled in programs related to environmental science, chemistry, biology, engineering, or have expressed interest in water or wastewater treatment.
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
- A willingness to learn skills and safety protocols.
- Operate as a good team member within work crew and follow daily direction.
- Follow HPTC's project agreement and safety plan.
- Be respectful of all members or crew and supervisor staff.
- Experience in water and wastewater operations preferred but not required.
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that people with disabilities are provided with 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 of 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 recruitment process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
- Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday at a full-time capacity of 40 hours a week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
- Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
- Fully On-Site
Orientation and Training:
- Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Members will shadow NPS water operators to gain site specific training
- Training in Reverse Osmosis treatment, pump repairs, septic tank and drain field installation construction experience, public health and regulation requirements.
- Opportunity for members to gain Water/Wastewater operator certifications.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
- Living Allowance of $520 a week + Additional Benefit of $200 a week (equivalent to $18/hr)
- Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
- Park Housing Available
- Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
- Childcare Coverage if Eligible
- Loan forbearance if Eligible
- Interest Payments if Eligible
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.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
STE Program Staff:
Kahla Stewart
Program Coordinator
Stewards Individual Placements
(423) 402-6004
kstewart@conservationlegacy.org
Service Site Staff:
Jonathan Harris
Facilities Management Engineer
Virgin Islands National Park
jonathan_d_harris@nps.gov
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 accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
