Oklahoma, OK, USA
2 days ago
Visitors Services Individual Placement

                                                                     

 

 

 

Position Title: Visitor Services Individual Placement – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico

Site Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

21088 State Hwy 115, Cache, OK  73527

 COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED

Terms of Service:

Start Date: 8/18/25End Date: 12/19/25AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours 

 

Purpose:

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, and protect clean air and water, among other environmental efforts.

 

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)

As part of Conservation Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.

 

Mentorship

These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; provide an introduction to numerous pathways within the conservation field; and create accessible, meaningful, learning opportunities and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (WMWR) serves as an essential ecological and recreational resource for the local community and visitors from afar. The refuge attracts 1.8 million visitors annually and with over 59,000 acres of diverse habitats, there are a variety of outdoor opportunities such as hiking, camping, wildlife photography, rock climbing, and wildlife observation. However, to maximize the benefit to the community, there is a need for enhanced visitor services, educational outreach, and engagement. Additionally, maintaining clean and accessible facilities is crucial for a positive visitor experience. 

The selected individual placement will help the refuge enhance the visitor experience by providing information to visitors, promoting educational programs, guiding outdoor activities, regularly maintaining trails and facilities, and assisting staff with coordinating volunteers for trail maintenance and clean up events. By engaging the public, the individual placement will help foster a deeper connection between the surrounding community and the natural environment.

There will be opportunities for the individual placement to shadow various staff to better understand the daily responsibilities and challenges of managing refuge visitation. Refuge staff will also facilitate networking introductions to professionals at local, state, and national levels through events, conferences, and/or workshops.

 
Description of Duties:

·         Trail Clearing and Maintenance

o   Identify and clear fallen branches, debris, and vegetation that obstruct the trail to ensure safe passage for hikers.

o   Use hand tools such as loppers, saws, and rakes to maintain the trail's path, ensuring it is wide enough and free of hazards.

o   Assess trail conditions post-maintenance, documenting any areas needing further attention or repair for future reference.

·         Visitor Engagement

o   Develop and implement engaging outreach programs to connect visitors with the natural and cultural history of the site.

o   Facilitate guided tours and interactive activities that enhance visitor understanding and appreciation.

o   Collect and analyze visitor feedback to improve engagement strategies and visitor experience.

·         Educational Materials Development

o   Research and create educational content that highlights key themes and information relevant to the site.

o   Design visual aids, brochures, and digital resources to support visitor education and engagement efforts.

o   Collaborate with educators to ensure materials meet curriculum standards and visitor needs.

·         Visitor Center Operations

o   Assist with daily operations of the visitor center, including managing visitor inquiries and providing information.

o   Help with the organization and maintenance of exhibits and displays to ensure a welcoming atmosphere.

o   Support scheduling and coordination for events and volunteer activities at the center.

·         Routine Cleaning and Maintenance of Facilities

o   Perform daily cleaning tasks including sweeping, mopping, dusting, and sanitizing common areas (e.g., lobbies, restrooms, and break rooms).

o   Conduct routine inspections of facilities to identify maintenance needs (e.g., light bulb replacements, leaks, and other minor repairs).

o    Assist in organizing and maintaining cleaning supplies and equipment, ensuring all tools are properly stored and labeled for safety.

Trainings Provided:

·         Tool safety

·         Environmental awareness: information on local flora and fauna to protect while maintaining trails

·       

·         Orientation on the site's history, ecology, and cultural significance

·         Training in public speaking and tour guiding techniques

·         Instruction on effective educational content creation and resource development

·         Guidance on graphic design tools and software for creating visual materials

·         Training on customer service best practices for engaging with visitors

·         Overview of operational procedures, including inventory management and exhibit maintenance

·         Orientation on event planning and volunteer coordination methodologies

Conditions: Use of tools increases exposure to injury; uneven terrain in the field; encounters with wildlife such as snakes or larger mammals; risk of injury during outdoor activities or tours if safety protocols are not followed; potential exposure to allergens; visitor/volunteer management to prevent disturbance of sensitive habitats and ecosystems; strain from prolonged computer use; ensuring information dispensed to visitors is accurate; proper handling of data; management of large groups of visitors; environmental friendly use of materials and supplies; awareness of emergency procedures.  

Qualifications:

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alienAt least 17 years of ageHas 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 awardAgrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

·         Valid U.S Driver’s License - Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years

·         Per federal grant requirements, this position is for young adults between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service.

Physical Requirements:

·         To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.

·         Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.

·         Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

·         Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.

·         Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.

·         Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.

·         Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.

·         Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, FWS and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.

·         Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

 

Safety and Judgment: 

·         Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.

·         Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.

·         Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.

·         If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

 

Substance Free:

·         In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

 

Background Check:

A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The BLM will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant’s exact start date.

 

Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

 

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:

Typically, this position is expected to serve 5 days a week but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps serviceMember 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.

 

Benefits:

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14Living Allowance of $600 per weekFree housing provided onsiteProfessional development funds of $1,100Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority upon completion of term (that allows for competitive hiring for USA jobs/government jobs)Healthcare CoverageChildcare Coverage if EligibleLoan forbearance if EligibleInterest Payments if Eligible

 

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.

 

Program Name and Contact Information:

Contact information:

SamJean Simmons – Individual Placement Coordinator

ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org

 Consideration will be given as applications are received and this position may close at any time.

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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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