ACE: Batty About Bats Member, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park – AmeriCorps Eligible
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking one Batty About Bats Member interested in dedicating 26 weeks to interpretation and outreach efforts regarding bat conservation at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. The Batty About Bats Member will be assisting with interpretive programs about bats, helping to lead cave tours, and educating the public. This excellent opportunity is ideal for an enthusiastic individual who is deeply committed to the preservation of our National Parks. Applicants must have strong interest in a career in conservation and education.
Start Date: April 6, 2020 (some flexibility may be available for the right candidate)
End Date: October 4, 2020 (or 26 weeks from the start date)
* A minimum commitment of 26 weeks is required*
Location: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Middlesboro, Kentucky.
Cumberland Gap National Historic Park (CUGA) is located at the corners of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. This position is stationed in the KY headquarters of the park located right outside of Middlesboro, KY. The town of Middlesboro is large enough to accommodate three grocery stores, fast food, several restaurants, and a movie theater. Knoxville, Tennessee is approximately 1.5 hours away and many amenities of a large city.
Project Website: For more information regarding Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: http://www.nps.gov/cuga/index.htm.
For more information on the ACE EPIC, please visit: http://www.usaconservation.org/programs/epic-internship/
Living Allowance: The ACE member will work 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $250/week dispersed bi-weekly for food and incidentals. Housing may be provided by NPS at no cost to the member depending on availability. If housing is not provided, or if the ACE member opts to find housing outside of the park, they will receive a living allowance of $425/week.
The Member will be provided with a one-time equipment allowance of $200 for the purchase of field boots.
AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($3,047.50) upon successful completion of term hours. Additional enrollment is required.
Position Description: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park contains 24,000 acres, 14,000 of which are proposed wilderness. Carved by wind and water, the Park forms a major break in the Appalachian Mountain chain. Lush with vegetation and supporting diverse flora and fauna, CUGA has 85 miles of hiking trails, mountains, streams, and limestone caves. As the only major predator of night-flying insects, bats play a vital ecological role in CUGA. The park provides valuable habitat for different species of bat, including the endangered Indiana bat, Myotis sodalis. Recently, White-nose syndrome (WNS), a condition deadly to bats, has been found in CUGA. This disease is harmful or lethal to hibernating bats, killing 90 percent or more of some species of bats in caves.
The ACE member will directly assist the Park with implementing and delivering bat education programs to the public and park visitors. These programs will teach the importance of bats, the value of bats to the ecosystem and the threat of WNS to bat populations.
Specific projects will include but are not limited to:
- Educating cave tour participants about WNS and assisting with decontamination of shoes after tours
- Assisting with the presentation of cave tours
- Preparing for Bat Night Educational Events for the National Park Centennial
- Assisting with Social Media regarding Bats
- Educating park visitors and leading school classroom programs about the value of bats and WNS
- Presenting workshops about building bat boxes
- Assisting with staffing the visitor center front desk
- Interpreting the NPS Centennial celebration and specific Centennial programs at CUGA.
Fieldwork for this opportunity requires willingness to work in all types of weather conditions, hiking up to 2-miles a-day, and being in a cave setting. The ACE member must be able to work weekends and holidays.
The staff at CUGA is dedicated to providing Interns with diverse field experiences, while also providing guidance to develop professionalism and a solid understanding of the complexities of managing the resources of a National Historical Park.
Qualifications:
Required:
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Must be 21-35 years of age (This position's age limitations are a requirement of the Public Land Corps Act. Additionally, members must be 21+ to apply for an ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
- Military Veterans up to 35 are encouraged to apply
- When driving is required valid driver's license and an insurable driving record are necessary.
- documentation to be provided upon request.
- A personal vehicle is required for the duration of the internship for personal transportation.
- Willing to undergo and must pass a federal criminal background check
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- Must be able and willing to work outdoors, in varying weather conditions, and capable of participating in physical labor.
- Must have effective communication skills with diverse audiences; ability to work alone and in a group.
Preferred:
- A minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in environmental education, interpretation, cave sciences, biological sciences, natural resource management, education, park management, or a related discipline.
- Deep interest in ecology, history, caving and respect for nature is critical
To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references on our external application system.
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received; this position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Recruitment Specialist Madison Douthitt at (336) 402-0844 or mdouthitt@usaconservation.org
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.