PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2025-fall-co Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.

Position Title:  Community Volunteer Ambassador, National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 4598 MacArthur Blvd NW, Washington, DC 20007

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by June 13, 2025

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: September 8, 2025
• End Date: August 7, 2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. 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.

The National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team (IPMT) is a regional program that supports all NCR parks by providing the expertise and personnel needed to manage invasive species and restore natural plant communities. The field team implements treatments targeting non-native, invasive plants, and their efforts are complemented by the IPMT volunteer program.

The NCR IPMT volunteer program supported by the CVA hosts group events across NCR parks, educating participants about the impacts of invasive species and training them in plant identification and removal.

By increasing public awareness and involvement, the IPMT fosters environmental stewardship throughout the region and extends invasive plant management efforts beyond park boundaries.

The CVA will expand volunteer opportunities for invasive vegetation management in NCR parks through targeted outreach, education, and increased program visibility. They will engage volunteers by organizing events focused on invasive plant removal, surveys, and training in plant identification and management techniques.

To strengthen and grow the IPMT VIP program, the CVA will maintain relationships with existing government and nonprofit partners while cultivating new partnerships across the region.

Description of Duties:

• Host volunteer invasive plant removal events in NCR parks.
• Host volunteer invasive and Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) survey events to track emerging invasive species in NCR parks.
• Collaborate with governmental and non-governmental partners to promote education and awareness of invasive species.
• Assist in training Weed Warrior invasive plant removal volunteers.
• Build relationships with new partners, including local universities and environmental organizations.
• Work alongside the IPMT crew in the field during invasive plant management treatments and site prioritization surveys.
• Engage members of the public in citizen science initiatives using tools such as iNaturalist.

Qualifications:

• Two- or four-year college degree in a biology-related field, or equivalent experience
• Familiarity with local plant identification
• Minimum of three years of driving experience
• Demonstrated experience working in a field-based environment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work independently
• 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 veteran, 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 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:

• Some experience with GIS
• Botany degree

Physical Requirements:

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 functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. 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.

Time Requirements:

• This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks 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 skills.
• Year-long continuum of learning supporting professional development
• $1,200 in Professional Development Funds 

Additional Position and Community Information

• Opportunity to collaborate with other NPS units in the region.
• Opportunity to earn a pesticide technician license for DC, MD, VA, and WV.
• Opportunity to participate in Chainsaws, Safety, Maintenance, and Operations training.
• Opportunity to complete Fire Fighter Type 2 (FFT2) training
• Opportunity to shadow other Natural Resources staff

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $150 per week, if housing is not provided
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• $1,200 in Professional Development Funds for training, networking, conferences, and/or travel
• Networking opportunities within the National Park Service and partnering organizations
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority
• Week-long in-person training at NPS site with travel/meal expenses covered.

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.

How to Apply
Please visit Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) to review “Member Positions” by region and find instructions on how to apply.

The CVA position will start on Monday, September 8, 2025 and run for 48 weeks until Friday, August 7, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2025-fall-co.  Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.

Please ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the CVA program, your experience working with different populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.

Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early June. Final deadline is Friday, July 4, 2025.

For Application Questions:

Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at 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.