Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Outreach Team Member Internship Lake Mead National Recreational Area/Great Basin Institute
Member will provide national service at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service and a host site for the Nevada Conservation Corps AmeriCorps Program. *Position Summary:* Working collaboratively with Lake Mead National Recreation Area, the Great Basin Institute is recruiting an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Outreach Team Member intern to learn about and participate in activities focused on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species by recreational watercraft. During the fall boating season (October-May), the AIS outreach intern will educate the boating public about aquatic invasive species (AIS) and water safety, as well as gain skills and knowledge about the natural and cultural resources at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This position is assigned to be a member on a small team; 4 team members and 2 team leads operating throughout Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The AIS Outreach Team is based out of Boulder City, Nevada. This position will be performing a variety of duties including (1) Working as part of a diverse outreach team providing exceptional education messages about aquatic invasive species to public audiences; (2) Facilitating visitor contacts to create understanding of park resources, aquatic invasive species, and boater safety and responsibility; (3) Providing limited assistance for resource management activities (e.g., water sampling); and (4) Encouraging visitors to uphold the mission of the National Park Service. *Primary Responsibilities: * Essential tasks and duties - Works outside on different launch ramps assigned by team leads within Lake Mead National Recreational Area and is responsible for educating visitors regarding both state and federal requirements for boater safety, resource protection, and the reasons for the regulations. - Provides information to visitors about aquatic invasive species (AIS), water safety, resource protection, and proper use of National Park Service facilities. Records visitor use patterns and their effect on the resources. Performs informal outreach to boaters and park visitors at launch ramps, marinas, and beaches about AIS and educates them about preventing the spread of AIS to other bodies of water. Provides AIS information to fishing tournament participants. - Professionally interacts with team members and a variety of people including the visiting public, park colleagues, and staff from park partner and permittee organizations. Clearly and effectively communicates information related to AIS to the people/groups listed above. Uses tact and diplomacy to handle contentious situations. - Educates and informs visitors about the significance of park resources, about the laws, rules, regulations relating to the protection of resources from AIS, and about operations of the park and safe use of the resources. Preserves the natural and cultural resources of the park by preventing the degradation, deterioration, and destruction of the ecosystems, scenery, wildlife, historical structures and artifacts through implementation of the park’s invasive species program. - Informs visitors about park facilities and resources. Provides visitors with information concerning points of interest, travel routes, historical and natural features and park activities. Provides answers to recurring and nonrecurring visitor questions concerning the park area. Learns park resources by reviewing maps, park research materials, and other documents previously prepared by park rangers and other professionals. - Duties are performed on or off site at locations designated by the park (e.g., visitor center, community events, marinas, and launch ramps). - Informs visitors about park flora and the life habits and behavior of park fauna. May perform resource management tasks and duties supporting the mission of the park. - Performs work safely by adhering to all established safety procedures including daily check-in/check-out procedures. *Related Responsibilities:* - Participate in trainings provided by Lake Mead National Recreation Area staff - Professionally represent Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the National Park Service in the park and in the surrounding community - Meet with Host Site Supervisor on a weekly basis - Assist with compiling related information for quarterly reporting - Participate in community service days organized by NCC Program - Participate in regular AmeriCorps team meetings and training(s) - Attend NPS Division Meetings (held quarterly) *Required Skills or Qualifications:* - Dedication to the position and the AmeriCorps Service Contract; - Possess clean, valid, state-issued driver’s license; - Motivated, self-starter who is detail oriented; - Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities; - Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with a diverse public in a variety of forums; - Ability to interact professionally with a diverse range of people in a variety of situations, including maintaining a professional demeanor and using sound judgement when faced with stressful, controversial, unprecedented, and/or emergency situations that have the potential for reflecting negatively on the agency. Must know when to defer escalating situations to law enforcement, or next in line of chain of command. - Ability to speak English and Spanish conversationally, desirable but not required; - Willing to learn about Lake Mead National Recreation Area the National Park Service Mission - Willingness to learn about aquatic species threats, biology, transport and abatement. - Some college education, desirable but not required; - Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments; - Willingness to learn about aquatic species threats, biology, transport and abatement. - Willingness to learn about the various laws, agency policies, rules, and regulations which apply to the protection of park resources and specific knowledge of the Federal, Park, and State laws pertaining to the transport of invasive species. - Willingness to learn about the natural and cultural resources of the park, (e.g., vegetation, wildlife communities, water resources, historic structure and artifacts), and the minimum impact and safety requirements for each permitted activity. - Willingness to learn about the types and extent of emergency operations which are carried out in the park and the skills and ability to apply, in a variety of emergency situations, the methods and techniques involved. - Ability to take direction, communicate, and work with others as a member of a team. - Ability to follow set procedures and systematic methods for a variety of tasks. - Knowledge on safety and risk management procedures applicable to the position. *Benefits/Experience Gained: * The AmeriCorps member will gain valuable experience in public speaking, customer service, volunteer engagement, and working independently. The member will learn about all aspects of education and natural resource management within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. They will develop an extensive knowledge of a broad scope of conservation and resource management topics with respect to their service site. *Additional Guidelines:* Dress Code: - AmeriCorps members must always wear AmeriCorps gear while serving, to be provided by the NCC Program. - AmeriCorps members are expected to dress according to rules established by the National Park Service. - While on launch ramps, AmeriCorps members must wear high-visibility safety vests provided by NCC and/or NPS. *Vulnerable Populations:* - This position has recurring access to vulnerable populations defined as children age 17 years or younger, individual age 60 years or older; or individuals with disabilities *Schedule:* The AIS Invasive Species Outreach Fall Team work schedule is performed Monday through Friday, 8 hour work days during the fall boating season (October to May). Some work may be performed on weekends and holidays with prior planning. The majority of work is conducted during daylight hours. The majority of time will be spent outside on a launch ramps, marinas, and beaches talking with, and educating visitors on aquatic invasive species. This task will be spent outside in temperatures that can reach upwards of 110+ degrees. Although the majority of the time will be spent outdoors in the park, this may also include leading conversations about AIS in the visitor center and/or attending community events representing the National Park Service. Additional tasks include collecting visitor use statistics (e.g. trailer counts), entering visitor contact data, compiling data, and assisting in reporting outreach and educational activities. Over the course of the internship there may be limited opportunities to assist with natural resource management projects (e.g. water sampling, data collection), and research activities. *Compensation:* This is an AmeriCorps position, and candidates will receive a living stipend for the season in the amount of $8,280.00. This is not an hourly wage or a salary and is paid to members every other week throughout the service term. Upon completion of AmeriCorps service, members shall receive an additional education award in the amount of $2,907.50 that can be used for paying off qualified student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college. **Depending on availability, housing may be provided but not paid for as part of this internship. Staff members on-site can assist the successful candidate in finding housing as well. *Timelines:* 6 months – October 22, 2018 – May, 2019 (flexible end date) Preferred start date October 22, 2018 (orientation starts on October 22, 2018) *Location:* *Boulder Basin (Boulder City, Nevada)* *How to Apply: * Please follow this link to apply directly through our online portal: http://crcareers.thegreatbasininstitute.org/careers/careers.aspx?rf=ECOLOG&req=2017-ACI-039 The Great Basin Institute conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or otherwise oppose discrimination. These AmeriCorps positions are made possible by a generous grant from the Nevada Commission for National and Community Service. *For more details see: http://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps This program prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The above functions may be completed with or without reasonable accommodations This position does not duplicate work of previous or existing employees or volunteers, supplant the hiring of worker, or include service or duties that have been performed or were performed by a current employee, an employee who recently resigned or was discharged, an employee subject to a reduction in work force, or an employee who is on leave.
