Location of Service: Great Smoky Mountains National Park – 107 Park Headquarters Rd Gatlinburg, TN 37738
About Great Smoky Mountains National Park:
Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park with over 12 million annual visitors. This park crosses two states, TN and NC, and is famous for its vast biodiversity, stunning scenic vistas, and over 12 thousand years of human history from the Cherokee to the people who made these mountains their home in the 1800 and 1900s. Surrounding the park are numerous communities and school systems served by the Education branch through field trips, school visits, and summer programs. These place-based programs provide hands-on, curriculum-centered science, history, and social studies programs to K-12 students. In addition, virtual programs provide outreach to students across the nation.
Position Summary:
- Lead both virtual and in-person curriculum-based programs for K-12 students focused on science, history, and social studies topics. Field trips will be lead at multiple sites on the TN side of the park. Classroom visits will take place in TN community schools. Virtual programs are provided to students across the country.
- Lead summer programs for Boys and Girls Club students and other youth organizations.
- Research park resources and topics to update current programs and create new programs.
- Work with local communities to build relationships between students and the park. This includes urban and rural low-income communities, communities of color, and English language learners.
- Support the research and development of education materials. Examples: program development, social media content, signage, print and web-based media, website management, video production.
- Furnished housing will be provided at no cost to the member, located within the park near Gatlinburg, TN.
The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/credentials:
- Learn to develop and present education programs for students K-12
- Learn to create and update education programs based on state standards
- Learn how to provide visitor orientation and services
- Learn how to create a federal resume and apply for federal positions (National Park Service and other federal organizations)
- Learn the cultural and natural history (biodiversity and ecology) of the Southern Appalachian Mountains
- Optional: gain Search and Rescue operation qualifications
- Optional: learn how to create relevant social and other visual media that helps meet organization goals
Site Preferences/Qualifications:
- Seeking candidates with Spanish language skills (conversational or fluent) to speak with students and families during programs. These candidates will be given preference, though it is not a requirement of the position.
- The member will be safety-focused, enjoy working with children, and capable of working with a team and independently.
- Prefer that applicants have some college experience AND/OR other experience in some of the following fields: environmental education, history, communications, graphic design, theater, film and videography, biological sciences, natural resource management, education, park management, or a related discipline.
- Prefer the applicant have some experience working with children (informal or formal education).
- The NPS GRSM member must be willing and able to represent CAC AmeriCorps and the NPS in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- This is a drug-free workplace opportunity.
Equal Opportunity Statement: AmeriCorps prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on the protected categories of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, generic information, military service, or reprisal.