Summer Chesapeake Gateways Ambassador with the National Park Service

Title: Summer Chesapeake Gateways Ambassador 

Location: Based out of Annapolis, MD 

Dates of Service: May 12th, 2025 – August 1st, 2025 (12 weeks)

Pay: $720/week ($600/week stipend + $120/housing allowance) plus benefits 

Status: This is a full-time, temporary, AmeriCorps National Service position. 

Questions? Contact ACCrecruiting@conservationlegacy.org  

Please submit a resume and cover letter via our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements. Applications will be accepted until March 15th. 

Appalachian Conservation Corps:  

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.  

Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site, and ACC supports them through their term, as well as provides a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.  

National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways: 

NPS Chesapeake Gateways is a community assistance and partner network. The program provides financial and technical assistance to enhance conservation, recreation, and interpretation throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It also convenes a system of nearly 300 parks, refuges, museums, historic communities, and water trails in the watershed. Chesapeake Gateways connects people to experiences of the natural and cultural heritage of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers to help conserve special places important to visitors, residents, and the nation, for this and future generations. 

Position Summary: 

Appalachian Conservation Corps and the National Park Service are seeking a Chesapeake Gateways Ambassador to work with National Park Service staff to work on projects to specifically address Chesapeake Gateways’ strategy to “Advance a Major Inclusive Interpretation Initiative with an Equity Lens.” The intern will review, develop, and implement public facing programs, publish digital media resources, facilitate partnership communications and training, and assist in the overall efforts to assist Chesapeake Gateways places and partners in engaging the diverse communities of the Chesapeake watershed. 

The intern will complete two weeks of formal training at the NPS Chesapeake Gateways office to learn basic operations, skills in interpretation, and the natural/cultural resource stories that guide our collective work. The intern will work with the public and may act as the face of NPS Chesapeake Gateways at public events, schools, partner meetings, and while roving Chesapeake Gateways places or in the community. The interns will develop and present an interpretive program within the first three weeks of working. After approximately six weeks, the intern will develop “pop-up” programs for visitors and engage with them on an informal level. The intern will assist with other interpretive media projects including signage, and brochures, as a part of a team. The intern will assist other staff with planning and hosting at least four community programs. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Community engagement and outreach, especially regarding engagement and involvement of young people in cultural heritage.  
• Preparing and conducting public programs and workshops focused on at least one of the NPS Chesapeake Gateways themes and utilizing inclusive interpretation principles and 21st Century Interpretation Competencies.  
• Creating, editing, and publishing content for multiple print and digital platforms including websites, mobile apps, social media, publications, newspapers, magazines, and more.  
• Developing inclusive interpretation, programming, and experiences at Chesapeake Gateways place for underrepresented communities. 
• Develop common interpretive content that can be readily adapted and customized for use at individual sites, including thematic interpretive products, such as interpretive signage.  
• Link culture and nature through interpretation, education, messaging, and initiatives.  
• Opportunities to participate in a variety of activities and projects related to the mission of the National Park Service depending on interest areas. 

Housing is not provided. 

Benefits:  

• $720 week stipend paid bi-weekly ($600 living stipend + $120 additional member benefit) 
• $1,956 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 1700 hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)   
• $1000 professional development fund for certifications, trainings, conferences, and travel 
• Hours count towards the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority upon successful completion – noncompetitive hiring status for two years when applying for federal positions. 
• Possible federal student loan forbearance and interest payoff 
• Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist  
• Depending upon the academic institution and program, positions may fulfill internship requirements  
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths  

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Some college course work completed in Communications, History, Public Affairs, Public Speaking, or other related subjects 
• Experience working in public facing roles and customer service 

Minimum Requirements:  

To qualify for this AmeriCorps position, you must be between the ages of 21 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. 

• Possess a valid driver’s license 

How to Apply: 

In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Applications are only accepted through our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements. 

Our Promise: 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.