Blue Ridge Parkway - Utility Systems Member - AmeriCorps

Position Title: NPS Historic Preservation Training Center – Blue Ridge Parkway Utility Systems Service Member – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements - East

Site Location: Blue Ridge Parkway

199 Hemphill Knob Road, Asheville, NC 28803

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 01/04/2027
• End Date: 07/02/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours (26 weeks)

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps affiliated program that provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits, building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the health of natural areas. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

In partnership with the National Park Service, Stewards is seeking a service member who will be an active part of the maintenance team and work alongside the Utility System Repairer Operator to make repairs to our water systems, perform start-up procedures, and operate the water systems. This candidate will get a full understanding of what it takes to start-up, operate, and make repairs to several small public water systems. This Utility Systems service member position will be housed in the Maintenance and Engineering Division and will provide support for operations and maintain utility systems and park infrastructure. Member will learn hands-on skills of plumbing, mechanical, and electrical skills. Member will gain an understanding of what testing needs to be done to operate public systems and the administrative requirements needed to run and operate a public water system at the National Parks.

Description of Duties:

• Conduct system start-up operations procedures on park water systems with hand tools, learning current techniques and materials to make repairs to existing water systems
• Maintaining, operating, and repairing park water systems, including changing meters, replacing valves, dosing pumps, and repairing water leaks
• Water system testing and sampling will be ongoing during the service term, including learning and understanding the chain of custody policy and calculating dosing rates
• Conduct basic electrical and plumbing needs to water systems and historic building preservation sites
• Job shadow other employees and work groups to gain exposure to other career paths and facets of park operations
• Assist supervisor and other administrative staff with tasks such as data collection and contract monitoring, fleet management, and supply inventory and monitoring

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident
•  At least 18 years of age, Veterans up to 35 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
• Ability to be flexible and work within a team
• Positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills
• Organizational skills
• Attention to details
• Time management skills

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 Vanessa Morrison at vmorrison@conservationlegacy.org

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday at a full-time capacity of 40 hours a 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

  • Fully On-Site

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities
• Member will shadow NPS water operators and facilities managers to gain site specific training
• Learn how to use Job Hazard Analysis forms (JHA's)
• First Aid/CPR training
• Operational Leadership
• Electrical safety training
• PPE training
• Workplace safety and safe equipment training

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
• Living Allowance of $520 additional benefit of $200 per week (equivalent of $18/hr)
• $1,000 professional development stipend
• On-site housing provided
• Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

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.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Ariana Nye

Stewards Individual Placements

(304) 860-5506

anye@conservationlegacy.org

Service Site Contact Information:

Jonathon Fitch

District Facility Manager

jonathon_fitch@nps.gov

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. 

Salary : $18