PLEASE NOTE: All applications must be submitted through this link - https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2027

Position Title: Community Volunteer Ambassador – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

7200 Paredes Line Rd., Brownsville, TX 78526

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 2/22/2027
• End Date: 2/4/2028
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours (50 Weeks)

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. 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 (PAAL) is a small park with two units. The main unit has a visitor center and two miles of trails. Resaca de la Palma (RDLP), the second unit, has a contact station and a ¾ mile trail. PAAL is a battlefield park that tells the story of the Battle of Palo Alto and the U.S.-Mexican War.

The majority of PAAL volunteers are from the local community. Around one dozen are dedicated Living Historians who provide programs and perform historic weapons demonstrations on a seasonal basis and at various park special events.

PAAL also has a variety of people who volunteer at park special events, including local students, school clubs, university students, individuals, and Scouts.

Description of Duties:

The CVA will engage the community and recruit Living History, citizen science, and interpretation volunteers. In addition, the CVA will develop opportunities for public service on Veterans Day, MLK Day of Service, and during National Park Week. Throughout the position, the CVA will take trainings to further their professional development.

Responsibilities:

• Recruit volunteers for the park’s monthly Living History Day
• Citizen science programs
• Visitor services
• Provide volunteer opportunities for public service on national event days including MLK Day of Service, Veterans Day, and National Park Week
• Develop and implement plans, Job Hazard Analysis, and Standard Operating Procedures for recruitment and outreach

Qualifications:

• Safety-minded
• Being committed
• Open-minded
• Able to adapt to changes
• Teamwork
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veterans, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• 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
• Organizing events
• Leading activities

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 Vanessa Morrison at vmorrison@conservationlegacy.org

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 schools.
• Year-long Continuum of Learning supporting participant professional development.
• $750.00 in Professional Development Funds for travel and training.

Additional Position and Community Information:

This position includes serving on weekends. The CVA needs a driver’s license to serve at off-site recruiting events and to drive between the park’s two units. On-site housing is not available. The park will assist the CVA find a place to stay. The CVA will collaborate with park partners including state parks, local nature centers, and historic museums.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
• Living Allowance of $700.00 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $200.00 per week (if housing is not provided)
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• 10 Federal Holidays, 10 Days Personal Leave, 10 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.

Program Contact Information:

Please contact James Gasaway at the contact information below with any questions.

Stewards Contact information: James Gasaway, 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.