Individual Placement - Outdoor Education Participant

Student Conservation Association • MOAB, UT

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This individual placement serves two teams: the Southeast Utah Group National Park Service education program and the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. The participant supports standards-based, hands-on outdoor education field trips for local public-school students and helps with visitor services and interpretation at the Needles Visitor Center and elsewhere in the park. The role is primarily front-country, but may include backcountry work. Public transportation is limited or unavailable, cell service may be unreliable or unavailable, and emergency services may be delayed by one to two hours in front-country settings or several hours to days in backcountry settings. The position involves regular interaction with the public and requires driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency.

The service term runs January 24, 2027 through May 8, 2027, for 40 hours per week. Housing is provided in a shared park apartment or house in town, with a private bedroom. Basic kitchenware and laundry facilities are available; participants bring their own bedding, towels, toiletries, and other personal items. Compensation includes a $600 weekly living allowance and a one-time $1,100 round-trip travel allowance, subject to applicable taxes. An education award valued at $1,956.35 may be available upon successful completion of the service term and at least 450 service hours. Defensive driving training and interpretive skills are additional benefits.

Requirements

• State-issued driver’s license and at least 18 years of age.
• Personal vehicle.
• Strong interest in teaching elementary-aged children and desire to explore careers with the National Park Service.
• Must meet Individual Placement eligibility: age 16–30 inclusive, or veteran age 35 or younger; must be a U.S. citizen or national, or lawful permanent resident.
• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent, agree to obtain one, or be enrolled in an institution of higher education.
• Must be able to complete or fulfill partner driving requirements.
• Position requires driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency or organization.

Nice To Haves

• Curiosity about making science learning meaningful by connecting students with surrounding landscapes.
• Willingness to live in a rural, isolated area with extreme weather.
• Humility and openness to multiple ways of thinking about nature and the environment.
• Interest in growing as an educator and receiving feedback on teaching and teaching materials.
• Interest in serving communities surrounding national parks and monuments.
• A student asset-based rather than deficit-based mindset toward education.
• Collaborative approach to work and ability to manage projects independently.
• Previous experience working with youth.

Responsibilities

• Teach standards-based lessons from the CCOE curriculum and help manage students’ safety during outdoor activities.
• Assist with classroom visits before and after field trips.
• Prepare and plan instruction, support education-program logistics, drive a government vehicle safely, and complete projects that maintain program quality.
• Participate in program debriefs, environmental-education training, peer observations, video self-evaluations, and coaching sessions to develop education skills.
• Provide feedback to support the continued success of the education program.
• Occasionally present or develop extracurricular programming for area youth, such as Junior Ranger programs, after-school clubs, or community events.
• Answer visitor questions at the visitor center; provide directions and hiking recommendations; interact with Junior Rangers; process lost-and-found items; operate a two-way radio and telephone; and perform other visitor-service duties as needed.
• Hike and rove on park trails to talk with visitors, answer questions, and help them make the most of their visit.
• Develop and present informal Junior Ranger programming for youth groups and families, and pop-up tables at viewpoints.
• Assist with special events and possibly research, write, and present a formal interpretive talk.

Benefits

• Shared housing provided by NPS, with a private bedroom.
• $600 weekly living allowance.
• One-time $1,100 round-trip travel allowance.
• Potential AmeriCorps education award valued at $1,956.35 upon successful completion of the service term and at least 450 service hours.
• Defensive driving training.
• Interpretive skills training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED