Interpretation Member (Sugarlands) - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking TWO Interpretation Members to contribute to implementing and delivering interpretive programming to park visitors alongside Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GRSM) staff. This position will also involve answering visitor questions at Sugarlands Visitor Center.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 4, 2026 (Flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

Estimated End Date: January 2, 2027 (or, 35 weeks after start date)

*a 35-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, based out of Sugarlands Visitor Center, located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is unique among America's National Parks; located on the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is renowned for its rich diversity of plant and animal life, the beauty of the ancient mountains and forests, and its preservation of the Southern Appalachian mountain culture.

For more information regarding the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit the parks website.

Position Overview: In support of the mission of the National Park Service, the primary duties of the Interpretation Member will include:

• Resource Education- Educate visitors about the significance and uniqueness of park resources, conservation, and ecologically sound practices and the laws, rules, and regulations developed to protect park resources and provide for their safe and non-consumptive use.
• Resource Protection- Preserving the natural and cultural resources of the park by preventing degradation of ecosystems, historical structures and artifacts and by preventing the loss and theft of objects, flora, and fauna through information and education.

This will be achieved through the delivery of interpretation programs and answering visitor questions at the Sugarlands Visitor Center and throughout the park. Through place-based learning, visitors make real-world connections with science and history as they explore our National Parks!

The Interpretation Member participates closely with National Park rangers and independently designs, delivers and evaluates programs in the park. Projects include developing new program materials, maintaining program statistics, and creating visual aids.

The member will conduct basic research on topics for the purpose of developing and presenting interpretative programs, both orally and/or in writing. Present a variety of formal and informal programs including orientation talks, environmental education programs, conducted walks, demonstrations, and evening programs.

A main duty of this position will be to present programs and inform visitors about park facilities and resources. Duties are performed on or off-site at locations designated by the park, including visitor centers, campgrounds, historical sites, etc. The Member will learn about park resources by reviewing published maps, park research materials, and other documents previously prepared by park rangers and other professionals and by talking with park staff. The Member may also provide assistance in connection with one-time or annual celebrations related to programs and themes of the park and assists with special events.

Member will provide assistance for individuals with physical disability, their family and friends, and the general public during inclusive adaptive programs, including hiking, biking, backcountry camping, and individual adaptive chair checkouts. Member will assist a person with mobility needs using adaptive (on-trail hiking or biking) wheelchairs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park during ranger-led programs and individual equipment checkout. Adaptive equipment and awareness training will be provided.

Other collateral duties may be assigned including the research and development of social media posts, virtual programs, educational videos, interpretive signage, displays, and website design, etc.

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

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. The Member will receive training in park resource knowledge, delivery of audience-centered/curriculum-based programs, report writing, and other position related skills, as well as safety training and oversight.

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: Works one week, 5 days per week, 9 hour days 7:45-5:15 p.m. (45 hours, 2 days off) and works second week, 3 (9-hour) days, and 1 (8-hour) day (35 hours) with 3 days off. The park is open 7-days/week, including holidays. Days off will be consecutive days off.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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: Shared park housing may be available for the duration of the term.

Cell phone reception is not always reliable, and a personal vehicle is required due to the site being remote with no reliable public transportation. The Member will have use of a government vehicle for project-related travel.

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.

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.
• If driving is required: 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 the position may hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or experience in environmental education, interpretation, biological sciences, natural resource management, education, park management, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge and skills in the principles of education and interpretation.
• A strong demonstrated interest and/or education in the field of natural and cultural resources.
• Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills.
• Excellent public speaking skills.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Must be able to walk or stand for a duration of 4 to 6 hours, ability to walk up to 3 miles on steep and uneven terrain. Member must be able to push, pull, or lift up to 30 pounds and be willing and able to ride a bicycle on roads and trails.
• 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 5 lbs., and must have the ability to push, pull, and lift up to 30 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

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 Program Manager, Molly Nash.

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 enrolled in a program 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.