Recreation and Visitor Services Member - Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area

Company: American Conservation Experience - EPIC
Location: Jupiter
Posted on: May 24, 2023

Job Description:

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) Eastern States Office, is seeking three Recreation and Visitor Services Members for the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) in northern Palm Beach County, Florida, who will dedicate 28 weeks to assisting the ONA Manager with site management, interpretive/educational outreach and recreation planning, permit management, NEPA and related workloads.

For more information about ACE, please visit: .

Start Date: August 1, 2023

End Date: February 9, 2024

* A 28-week commitment is required *

Location: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, Florida.

The 120-acre ONA is in southeast Florida, in the northern portion of Palm Beach County and is managed by the BLM Southeastern States Field Office in Jackson, Mississippi. The site is located at the confluence of the Indian River Lagoon and Loxahatchee River within the municipalities of the Town of Jupiter and the Village of Tequesta. These cities make up the northern extent of an urban environment that stretches south to Miami providing all the amenities that can be expected from such urban environments. North of the site is a gap in Florida's urban coast, through the Jonathan Dickinson State Park and Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, before the urban setting continues north.

For more information regarding the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area visit: or .

Position Overview: Working cooperatively with ONA partners the primary mission for the ONA is to protect, preserve and enhance unique and nationally significant historical, natural, cultural, scientific, and educational, recreation and scenic values. The site contains the historic Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, and important historic and cultural resources from the past 8,000 years. Furthermore, the site is home to 28 special status species across 4 rare and sensitive Florida habitats. The ONA is a component of the National Conservation Lands, administered through the Bureau of Land Management.

This ACE position is multi-faceted, adaptable, and geared toward providing valuable professional experience in the land-management field. Duties performed for this position will typically take place within the ONA and will support all management activities occurring at the site but often focus public access, recreation and balancing these uses with other resources. Daily work will range from site and facility maintenance to developing interpretive and outreach materials or working on recreation permits and NEPA compliance documents. The work may also include biological/ecological or cultural inventory and monitoring and site planning.

The BLM National Conservation Lands program endeavors to protect parcels of land with unique and nationally important resource values. The stated mission of the National Conservation Lands is "to conserve, protect, and restore nationally significant landscapes recognized for their outstanding cultural, ecological, and scientific values." The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse ONA was added to the National Conservation Lands program in 2008, when Congress recognized the importance of protecting, preserving and enhancing a number of the site's values; most notably its historic, cultural and natural values. The ONA is unique within the National Conservation Lands program as it is the only unit of the program east of the Mississippi, and one of only three ONA's nationwide. As such, further to the site's own intrinsic value the site holds special importance for bringing the BLM and National Conservation Lands to the attention of an east coast audience.

Applicants for the position will ideally hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree in recreation & park management, interpretation/education or public relations, environmental policy, communication, graphic design, natural resource management, biological sciences, historical archaeology, or related discipline. The member will be resourceful, adaptable, and able to work comfortably alone on assigned tasks, with minimal supervision. This position is ideal for a talented, well-rounded, enthusiastic, adaptable, and resourceful young professional interested in a career in public land management. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated interest and/or education in natural resource management, interpretation and outreach, though all qualified applicants will receive careful consideration.

This position will likely have recurring (regular, scheduled or anticipated) access to vulnerable populations. State and Federal Criminal History Checks will be required for participation.

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.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE member will receive a living allowance of $400/week for food and incidental expenses, paid bi-weekly for -40 hours of work each week.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $3247.50 upon successful completion of a service term and 900 hrs.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online .

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Training Provided/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 on-the-job training in recreation and visitor services, outreach and interpretation, field survey/monitoring techniques, report writing, and other skills related to the position. ACE and the BLM are committed to providing the most educational, rewarding, and challenging experience possible to best prepare participants for future careers in the stewardship of America's public lands.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check
• 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 or as defined by AmeriCorps
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website
  Preferred:
  
  • Excellent writing, research, and organizational skills
  • Excellent public speaking skills
  • Interest and experience in photography, art and graphic design
  • Interest in maintenance tasks, painting, home repair and landscaping
  • Experience using Facebook and/or other social media
  • Experience creating outreach media using Photoshop, InDesign and Acrobat
  • Knowledge & skills in the principles of education, interpretation, outreach or public relations
  • Ability to envision the goal and develop and complete projects independently to achieve goal
  • Willingness to complete a wide variety of tasks including manual labor
  • Ability to swim, snorkel, kayak and/or paddleboard
  • Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome
    To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: . Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Member Manager, Caris Hill at .
    
    EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Keywords: American Conservation Experience - EPIC, Jupiter , Recreation and Visitor Services Member - Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area, Other , Jupiter, Florida