The Great Basin Institute, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), is recruiting (2) Education and Visitor Services Interns to support Carrizo Plains National Monument, located outside of Bakersfield, CA. Under the direction of the BLM, the selected candidate will support visitor services and educational programming out of the Education Center, located at the National Monument. 

Carrizo Plains National Monument

This remote monument, traversed by the San Andreas Fault which has carved valleys, created and moved mountains, and yet up close, is seen in subtle alignment of ridges, ravines and normally dry ponds.  Prominent features on the monument include the white alkali flats of Soda Lake, Painted Rock, vast open grasslands, and a broad plain rimmed by mountains.   When conditions are right, numerous wildflowers can carpet the valley floor; although short lived it can be breathtaking.

Soda Lake, normally a dry lake bed, is one of the dominant geographic features of the Carrizo Plain.  It is the largest remaining natural alkali wetland in southern California and the only closed basin within the coastal mountains. As its name suggests, Soda Lake concentrates salts as water evaporates, leaving white deposits of sulfates and carbonates that look like baking soda.

Primary Responsibilities

• Assist helping with and answering general questions for visitors at the Education Center;
• Assist the Education Center Coordinator in outreach programs.  Possible travel to local schools or special events to give presentations on resources within the area; 
• Assist in maintaining the Education Center’s exhibits, both inside and out. Working in the Education Center garden;
• Assist with the development of brochures;
• Conduct sales of merchandise using the provided IPad;
• Give scheduled tours to the visiting public and special user groups throughout the season.
• Assist the Coordinator with unexpected requests; and
• General clean-up and maintenance of the visitor displays and interpretive signs in the education center and around the monument.

This position primarily serves within the Education Center, but may have the opportunity to support projects throughout the monument. 

*Members are required to take a mandatory 30-minute lunch break each service day. This break does not count toward their service hours for the education award.

Timeline:

• Late February/Early March, 14 project wks;
• Full time (40 hours/week) 
• Schedule: Thursday - Sunday, 10 hour days

Location:

Carrizo Plains National Monument

Compensation and Benefits: 

• This is an AmeriCorps position; candidates will receive a living allowance dependent on their length of service. The living allowance is a fixed amount, not an hourly wage or a salary. AmeriCorps benefits include:
  • Living Allowance:      $710.00/wk before taxes
  • Segal Education Award: After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs. This 520hr term placement is eligible for a $1,956.35 award; 
  • Student Loan Forbearance: If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.
  • Interest Accrual Repayment: As AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.
• Additional Benefits: 
  • Housing is provided onsite by the BLM at no cost the the intern;
  • Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance

Qualifications

Required:

(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 17 or older)

• Preferred: Earned, or currently earning, a Bachelor’s degree in biological, archaeological, recreational or interpretive field or experience in closely related field, or a combination of relevant education and field experience;
• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest and/or knowledge in biological resources;
• Familiarity with identifying specific plants and plant communities or learning identification skills;
• Comfortable with making presentations in front of large  groups of people; 
• Must be able to read and use maps, and have a valid driver’s license; 
• Must be able to drive a four wheel drive vehicle on dirt roads; 
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills;
• Possession of a clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license.
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.