Location of Service: Great Smoky Mountains National Park Cades Cove – 10042 Campground Drive, Townsend, TN 37882
About Cades Cove:
Cades Cove is a broad, grassy valley surrounded by mountains and is one of the most popular destinations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It offers some of the best opportunities for wildlife viewing and has a large collection of historic structures for visitors to explore. An 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. During the summer months on vehicle-free days, the loop can be enjoyed on foot or bicycle.
Position Summary:
- Independently provide high quality visitor services through contacts in Cades Cove, interpretative programs, and special events to improve the public’s understanding and appreciation for Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
- Develop and thoroughly research programs that meet National Park Service standards and share information about the park’s natural and cultural resources.
- Lead curriculum-based education programs during the fall and spring for students in grades K-12.
- Present programs to large groups of 20-100+ people.
- Write and create interpretive media including articles, social media posts, and bulletin board displays.
- Assist visitors to Great Smoky Mountains National Park by orienting them to recreational activities such as hiking, biking, wildlife viewing and other activities within the park.
- Manage traffic and wildlife jams independently or on a team using radio communications.
- Rove trails to provide hiker information, promote safety, and assist with clean-up.
- Initiate tactful conversations about park resources with visitors to encourage compliance with rules and regulations.
- Explore the work of the National Park Service by shadowing a variety of careers within the park based on the member’s interests and future career goals.
The member(s) in this position will have the opportunity to gain the following skills/credentials:
- Communication and public speaking
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Resource knowledge (natural and cultural history of Southern Appalachian Mountains)
- Technology (social media, virtual programs, interpretive design, NPS app)
- Creativity and problem solving
- Leadership
Site Preferences/Qualifications:
- Must have own transportation & a valid driving license (*no moving violations allowed).
- Must be able to work on a team and independently.
- This is a drug-free workplace opportunity.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 25 lbs.
- Ability to stand and walk for multiple hours on rugged terrain.
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental education, interpretation, biological sciences, natural resource management, education, park management, or a related discipline preferred.
- Paid or unpaid experience teaching or working in other educational institutions.
- Strong interest in environmental education and resource conservation.
- Comfortable working and living in a remote location with limited connectivity.
Equity and Inclusion: The Knoxville-Knox County Community Action Committee (CAC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will take action to ensure that members and employees are treated equally without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, gender, romantic/sexual orientation, age, handicap, cultural or religious convictions. CAC AmeriCorps provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation at any point in the recruitment / employment process.