Community Assistance Fellow - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program of the National Park Service

National Park Service – Community Assistance Fellow

How to Apply

Apply on-line at:  https://sccorps-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobInfo&version=1&jobid=1323

State Date: December 2018 or January 2019

Specific training: Training at the NPS RTCA National Training in late July 2019, possible other training opportunities at the regional level, and one for fellows, dates to be determined.

Application Due Date:  November 16, 2018

For More Information

Contact Meredith Speicher, meredith_speicher@nps.gov

Program Basics

This Community Assistance Fellow will work for the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program of the National Park Service.  Our national network of conservation and recreation planning professionals partners with community groups, nonprofits, tribes, and state and local governments to plan and design trails and parks, conserve and improve access to rivers, protect special places, and create recreation opportunities.  Projects are locally-led; RTCA provides assistance in partnership building, team building, trail and park planning, organizational development, finding funding and identifying funding strategies, and the like.

Specifics about position

This member will benefit communities in Hawai‘i by facilitating community-led natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation in order to connect diverse and underserved populations with close-to-home nature and outdoors.

Work products will be dependent upon the selection of projects, and will likely include public engagement materials and events, community engagement strategies, project planning, site inventory and analyses, report design and production, articulated vision, goal and objective statements, and planning and design recommendations, all of which will be stakeholder and community-driven. The long term results will include increased miles of trails, acres of conserved land and associated improved public access.

Projects will facilitate protection and enhancement of ecosystems within the Hawaiian Islands based on current projects on Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii Island and will involve some work at the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge. Project work will explore how to balance public access and recreation with conservation of these ecosystems.

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Conduct inventories and analyses of relevant information related to trail planning, and open space/ natural resource management planning
• Conduct site visits to collect information about the project site and surrounding areas
• Develop planning frameworks, including vision, goal and objective statements
• Craft project recommendations that address key issues identified by the stakeholders/public, and meet the project vision, goals and objectives

Mandatory Requirements:

• Analysis and critical thinking skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people
• Strong organizational skills
• Completion of a Bachelor’s degree
• Possession of a current valid driver’s license
• Must be 21 years or older
• Must be a US Citizen, National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a related field
• Understanding of Hawaiian Conservation issues and Public Outreach strategies

This position will be required to submit periodic reports and a final report during their term of service.