PLEASE NOTE : Applicants will need to apply here : . Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.

Community Volunteer Ambassador Valles Caldera National Preserve

Location : Jemez Springs, NM

Position Details :

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 a diverse group of emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.

This CVA position will work closely with members of both the education and resource teams, local climate and environmental organizations, and local tribes to enhance the understanding of how the climate has changed at Valles Caldera and Bandelier and provide opportunities for people to act on the climate crisis.

This position will develop volunteer opportunities that revolve around renewing the landscapes, managing the landscapes to be more climate resilient, sharing sustainable practices from local Tribes and multigenerational residents of New Mexico (traditional ecological knowledge), and educating visitors about the changing climate and how we’re positioning these parks on the forefront of adapting to the changing climate.

Site Description

Located in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, Valles Caldera National Preserve protects, preserves, and restores ecosystems and cultural landscapes within an outstanding example of a volcanic caldera for the purpose of education, scientific research, public enjoyment and use, and cultural continuity.

The Valles Caldera volunteer program has about 40 dedicated volunteers supporting visitor services and resource projects.

The park is looking to expand the opportunities available to different work areas and projects to provide a full range of activities for volunteers to support the park in.

Position Responsibilities :

• Identity and contact climate-themed partners.
• Collect existing climate data from both parks.
• Collaborate with team members to identify climate-related projects and educational opportunities.
• Work with staff to develop volunteer position descriptions based on the climate work needs.
• Recruit climate volunteers.
• Track hours of all climate volunteers and assess progress of each project.

CVA Minimum Requirements :

• Enthusiasm to work with different people and make new contacts.
• Basic understanding of science.
• Willingness to learn about climate science.
• Ability to work within a team and communicate positively.
• Participate in the CVA National Early Service Training in late November 2024 (date TBD)
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.
• Be 18-30 years old at time of service (veterans up to 35 years old)
• High School Diploma / GED
• Be able to provide proof of a driver’s license and complete a MVR check
• Must be over 21 years old or have had license for at least 3 years to be insured in this position

Preferred Qualifications :

• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to develop new ideas.
• Effective at building relationships.
• Sense of design and competence with computers.

Additional Information :

The position will develop new partnerships and guide both parks in building a climate volunteer corps. This is an exciting opportunity to make a meaningful contribution toward climate resiliency.

As this position supports two parks and they are both beyond any transit schedules, the selectee will need a vehicle to reach both locations.

Housing will be provided by the park, either at Bandelier National Monument or near Valles Caldera's park headquarters. Housing options are private bedrooms with shared dining areas.

Benefits :

• $600 / week living stipend.
• $150 / week in housing allowance, if housing is not provided.
• Limited health care / childcare benefits
• The position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award $6,895.00 (pre-tax) upon successful completion of the program
• $1,200 in professional development funds for training, networking, conferences, and / or travel.
• Networking opportunities within the National Park Service and partnering organizations
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority
• Week-long in-person training at NPS site with travel / meal expenses covered.

How to Apply

Please visit to review Member Positions by region and find instructions on how to apply.

The CVA position will start on Monday, September 9, 2024, and run for 48 weeks until Friday, August 8, 2025.

PLEASE NOTE : Applicants will need to apply here : . 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 diverse populations, and position details for this park / position.

You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.

Applications Deadline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early June. Final deadline is Sunday, July 7, 2024.

For Application Questions :

Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at

Last updated : 2024-05-21