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Community Volunteer Ambassador – Hot Springs National Park

Stewards Individual Placement Program
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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: Hot Springs National Park

369 Central Ave, Hot Springs, AR71901

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 nationalleader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.

Hot Springs National Park (HOSP) is the oldest federally protected land in the NPS, originally established in 1832 as Hot Springs Reservation. It is the second smallest National Park at 5,500 acres nestled in the Ouachita Mountains. Though small and urban, it attracts over 2 million visitors annually with a variety of natural and cultural activities for visitors to appreciate. It is full of dynamic stories that shed light on access of public spaces and resources through time. The community of Hot Springs has grown within the park and plays a very important role in the protection and enjoyment of this special place. 

HOSP has a rich history of dedicated and passionate volunteer involvement. The park’s volunteer program consists of five main categories: Interpretation and Visitor Services, Campground Hosts, Natural and Cultural Resources, Maintenance, and Artists-in-Residence. In FY26, volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours to special events, Fordyce visitor center orientation, Art-in-the-Park programs, campground operations, invasive species removal, litter removal, and more. Volunteers range from students to retirees and everything in between.

 
Description of Duties:

This position will be housed within the Interpretation division and frequently collaborates with other divisions. The CVA will support the expansion of existing volunteer programs in the Interpretation, Maintenance, and Resource Management divisions to continue meeting community and park needs. This will include collaborating with interns and park staff to lead and support outreach, recruitment, onboarding, program facilitation, and retention of volunteers. There is ample opportunity for professional growth in community engagement, volunteer management, logistics planning and more. Major projects will include the support of NPS Days of Service volunteer programs, expansion of a Youth Service Volunteer position, and establishing Service-Learning program options for local schools with the Scientist-in-the-Park education AmeriCorps participant.

Responsibilities:

  • Serves closely with cross-divisional park staff to support and lead volunteer programs within Interpretation, Natural Resources, and Maintenance 
  • Assists with administrative tasks including volunteer.gov applications, volunteer communications, volunteer hours, etc. 
  • Represents Hot Springs National Park and the National Park Service at local and state community events
  • Assists with planning and facilitation of the annual volunteer appreciation event 
  • Pursues professional development opportunities within the park and nearby NPS sites 
  • Contributes to a positive and collaborative work environment

 
Qualifications:

  • Ability to serve collaboratively with a broad team in a dynamic environment 
  • Effective communication 
  • Effective time management 
  • Enthusiastic and friendly 
  • Ability to serve independently and within a team 
  • Bachelor of Science/Art in History, Biology, Geography, Education, etc.
  • 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

  • Previous experience with community engagement or environmental education programming 
  • Bilingual (Spanish) 
  • Strong organizational skills
  • Strong public speaking 
  • Interest in the NPS mission
  • Familiarity with Microsoft suite, Canva and Adobe suite

 

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:

Tuesday-Saturday typical service schedule with some evenings required 

Opportunities for site visits to other AR NPS sites (Buffalo National Scenic River, Little Rock Central High National Historic Site, Arkansas Post National Memorial Site, Fort Smith National Historic Site, etc.) 

Quirky Hot Springs community events like the World Famous 'Running of the Tubs' and the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade

Please note this is an in-person position and only offers hazardous weather-related teleservice. 

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.