Visitor Services Information Assistant – AmeriCorps (1 opening)

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

Site Location: Red Rock Ranger District (8375 SR 179, Sedona, AZ 86351)

Term of Service:

• Start Date: 3/9/2026 (anticipated)
• End Date: 9/4/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Red Rock Ranger District as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for Coconino National Forest.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. 

Coconino National Forest:

One of six National Forests in Arizona, the Coconino National Forest comprises 1.856-million acres in northern Arizona, with elevations ranging from 2,600 feet to the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (Humphrey's Peak). Coconino National Forest contains a variety of landscapes, including deserts, ponderosa pine forests, flatlands, mesas, alpine tundra, and ancient volcanic peaks. The forest surrounds the towns of Sedona and Flagstaff and contains all or parts of 10 designated wilderness areas. The Recreation and Trails program is focused on providing quality recreation opportunities and experiences.

Red Rocks Ranger District:

The Red Rock Ranger District is situated in the Verde Valley, and its “red rock country” is world-renowned for its dramatic red sandstone scenery. At its heart is the city of Sedona, which attracts millions of visitors each year. The district receives half of the annual forest visitation (over 2 million visitors each year) and has many volunteers and partners involved in day-to-day management. It is host to a wide variety of sensitive ecosystems that require extensive public outreach and education to preserve and protect. Team members routinely provide critical education on preserving cryptobiotic soil, treading lightly in sensitive riparian zones, camping responsibly on sensitive soils, low impact transit techniques across fragile landscapes, and respectful enjoyment of cultural resources. The local communities of Central and Northern Arizona have strong ties to this special landscape, and the wider community of Phoenix and beyond have a deep appreciation for red rock country which offers an idyllic recreational experience amongst one of the most beautiful regions of the state.

Description of Duties:

Forest Service Visitor Information Services exist to help people safely enjoy their National Forest while protecting the land itself through education surrounding important rules and regulations and Leave No Trace ethics. The mission centers on providing accurate, timely guidance so forest visitors can make informed decisions, recreate responsibly, maintain personal safety, and understand the natural and cultural resources they’re experiencing. This position at the Red Rock Ranger Station Visitors Center will provide an important service to the local and wider community by communicating important information about recreation opportunities, rules and regulations, fee information, leave no trace ethics, and vital public safety messaging.

Position duties include:

• Greeting visitors and responding to a variety of inquiries regarding Red Rock Ranger District and the Forest Service.
• Ensuring that the Visitor Center information desk is covered at all times.
• Answering the phone and returning voicemail messages.
• Assisting Collection Officers in the sale of America the Beautiful passes, forest timber permits, and mineral permits, in accordance with manual and handbook requirements.
• Assisting in the accounting for collected monies using approved computer programs and records.
• Performing regular daily activities for the Visitor Center, including but not limited to daily opening and closing of the facility, raising and lowering the flag, and maintaining the front desk.
• Maintaining an inventory of timely publications, brochures, posters, and informational handouts for the public.
• Providing interpretive answers to a wide variety of visitor interests, such as the identification of local flora and fauna or the location of camping areas.
• Providing visitors with effective instructions on security and safety procedures and informing the supervisor of visitor needs.
• Exercising good communication and organizational skills amidst a high degree of public interaction, in a busy team environment.

The member will be provided with training in areas such as Heritage Site Docent duties and interpretation methods, Outfitter and Guide permit compliance and inspection, handling difficult visitors/deescalation, public interaction on Forest managed lands, and leave no trace ethics.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Act as a representative of the Forest Service.
• Greet visitors and respond to a variety of inquiries regarding the Red Rock Ranger District and the Forest Service.
• Provide interpretive answers to a wide variety of visitor interests, such as the identification of local flora and fauna or the location of camping areas.
• Provide visitors with effective instructions on security and safety procedures and inform the supervisor of visitor needs.
• Ensure that the Visitor Center information desk is covered at all times.
• Answer the phone and return voicemail messages.
• Assist Collection Officers in the sale of America the Beautiful passes, forest timber permits, and mineral permits, in accordance with manual and handbook requirements.
• Perform regular daily activities for the Visitor Center, including but not limited to daily opening and closing of the facility, raising and lowering the flag, and maintaining the front desk.
• Maintain an inventory of timely publications, brochures, posters, and informational handouts for the public.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• At least 18 years of age.
• 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.
• A self-starter that demonstrates professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Good communication and organizational skills.
• Someone who will enjoy a high degree of public interaction, and enjoy working in a busy team environment.
• Valid driver’s license (must be over 21 OR have had license for 3 years if under 21).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Customer service skills such as working, engaging, and interacting with the public.
• Public speaking experience.

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to including 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 50 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:

• 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 Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 with successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $175 per week.
• Public Lands Corps Certificate*
• Healthcare Coverage provided by The Corps Network and Cigna.
• Childcare Coverage.
• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

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.

Supervisor Name:

This position reports to Anica Mercado, Visitor Information Specialist with Coconino National Forest.

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.