Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) Assistant Member - Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Volunteers-In-Parks (VIP) Assistant Member to support Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area's volunteer program. The Assistant Volunteer Coordinator would be one of the primary point-of-contacts for people interested in volunteering and would be the conduit to connect volunteers to all divisions within the park.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: Late February/March 2026*start date flexible depending on candidate and onboarding needs

Estimated End Date: 52 weeks after start

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in Atlanta, GA.

Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area is "an ancient river in a modern city," and offers many opportunities to get outdoors, including hiking, rafting, and fishing. Atlanta is Georgia's largest city and capital, and a thriving international business and entertainment center Park headquarters and housing is just north of Atlanta, near the interstate, MARTA, and typical amenities (grocery store, retail shopping, post office, etc.).

The park is in the northern suburbs of Atlanta and near the interstate and basic amenities (grocery store, retail shopping, post office, etc.). The park includes 48-river miles from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek and 15 discontinuous land units. The park has one Visitor Center and units with trailheads, boat ramps, and picnic areas.

For more information about Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, please visit the Parks website.

Position Overview: The primary goal of this project is to increase public safety and visitor enjoyment of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area unit of the National Park Service by engaging volunteers in a wide variety of programs such as trash clean ups, trail days, graffiti removal, native species planting, citizen science, and several other opportunities while providing a meaningful learning experience for interns. The project will develop the workforce by mentoring young resource professionals in a controlled environment. The work completed through this project aligns with the park's mission. CHAT's Planning, Resources, and Education division (PRE) will train and mentor the ACE member completing this project.

The position will:

• Train the ACE member on the NPS volunteer program
• The member will support the recruitment, training, and mentoring of all new volunteers
• Lead groups of volunteers in river and land trash based removals, trail maintenance, and other volunteer events
• Keep volunteers updated on upcoming events and assist with monthly volunteer meetings
• Assist the volunteer program manager with the volunteer database.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Work schedule would be Tuesday to Saturday 8am EST to 4pm ET, with some flexibility.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility Requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: The ACE Member will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the term. The shared quarters are located within walking distance of park headquarters and include a wi-fi, washer, dryer, kitchen, and shared common space. Individuals have private bedrooms. Please bring linens (twin xl).

Travel Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to NTE $350 in reimbursable funds to be used for eligible travel expenses approved by the site before reimbursement is made.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training may include: education program delivery, customer service skills, interpretation, and public speaking.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, trail restoration, or educational outreach.
• Willing and able to become chainsaw certified* Use of a chainsaw is prohibited until chainsaw certification is complete and ACE requirements have been met
• Willing and able to participate in river activities.
• Proficient with hand tools.
• Competitive applicants for this position have relevant experience in subject areas such as outdoor skills, hiking, swimming, woodworking, carpentry.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hand tool on steep hilly terrain. Manual dexterity required for use of telephone, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 to 50 pounds,
• Environmental: Will work in both outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates (cold, hot, humid, and wet).
• Noise Environment: Moderate to loud noise such as in a business office with equipment, light traffic and chainsaw noise.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website. 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 NPS Eastern Member Manager, Maya Opara-Nadi.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.