Community Volunteer Ambassador, Camp Nelson National Monument – AmeriCorps
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2026 Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.
Position Title: Community Volunteer Ambassador, Camp Nelson National Monument – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements Program
Site Location: Camp Nelson National Monument
6614 Danville Loop 2 Road, Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356
Terms of Service:
Start Date: 2/23/2026
End Date: 2/5/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour Slot
Purpose:
Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) Program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.
Camp Nelson National Monument is a new unit of the National Park Service. The Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) program is developing and consists of regular VIPs who work in Visitor Services and special event volunteers. Previous CVAs have been critical in the program's growth.
Camp Nelson National Monument [CANE] hosted a CVA in FY24. The CVA set a strong foundation for the VIP Program at CANE by developing the VIP Handbook, creating service descriptions, updating and maintaining volunteer.org, maintaining VIP hours, and outreach. Our new CVA will build on that momentum by focusing on VIP and community outreach, including representing CANE at 6-10 community events, special programs, and career fairs; updating and maintaining volunteer.gov; recruiting 1-3 new volunteers; assisting with VIP recognition; and ensuring all volunteer paperwork [service agreements, hours] are current and following guidelines.
Description of Duties:
The CVA will work closely with NPS staff to enhance the Volunteer Program at CANE, including across all divisions. Our former CVA set the foundation for the VIP Program in 2023-24, and we're looking for the new CVA to build-on from that success, including creating more positions, maintaining volunteer.gov, leading trainings for new VIPs, and organize volunteer events. The CVA will also have the opportunity to assist with special events and projects.
Maintain volunteer.gov
Ensure all VIP Agreements are update to date
Recruit VIPs for park divisions and special events
Assist with outreach efforts
Assist with training new staff
Support special events, programs, and projects
Qualifications:
Interest in public lands and engaging with visitors of all backgrounds
Flexible
Team-oriented
Positive Attitude
Ability to effectively communicate with team and visitors
Empathetic with visitors and colleagues
United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
At least 17 years of age
Has 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 award
Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
Preferred Qualifications:
Public speaking experience or willingness to learn
Ability to effectively to communicate with visitors in person and via phone and email
Ability to passionately engage with visitors and general public
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
Member 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.
Week-long, in-person training on NPS volunteer program management and leadership skills
Year-long continuum of learning supporting professional development
$750.00 in Professional Development Funds for travel and training
Additional Position and Community Information:
The CVA will likely work Tuesday-Saturday, and will be stationed in the Visitor Center with the Interpretation Team. The CVA will have opportunities to work with the other divisions, especially Facilities and Resources, to support their VIP goals, programs, and projects. The CVA may be scheduled to assist with a special event to include working evenings and weekends. There are housing options in the commuting area, especially Lexington, where the majority of our individual placements and other staff have secured temporary housing. The CVA will have opportunities to collaborate with other NPS sites, local sites and organizations/institutions, and descendant communities around the park.
Benefits:
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
Additional Benefit of $150.00 per week if housing is NOT provided by NPS host site at no cost to the participant.
Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
Childcare Coverage if Eligible
Loan forbearance if Eligible
Interest Payments if Eligible
10 Federal Holidays, 13 days Personal Leave, 13 days Sick Leave
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.
How to Apply
Please visit Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) to review “Member Positions” by region and find instructions on how to apply.
The CVA position will start on Monday, February 23, 2026 and run for 50 weeks until Friday, February 5, 2027.
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2026
Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.
Please ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the CVA program, your experience working with different populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.
Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Final deadline is Friday, January 9, 2026.
For Application Questions:
Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org
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.