National Park Service - JELA - Barataria Preserve - Interpretation and Education Steward - AmeriCorp

Position Title: National Park Service - JELA - Barataria Preserve - Interpretation and Education Steward - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve - Barataria Preserve

419 Decatur St, New Orleans, LA, 70130

Terms of Service:

• Anticipated Start Date: 10/5/2026
• Anticipated End Date: 10/1/2027 (52 weeks)
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps Program which provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting the conservation of natural areas. Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (JELA) has was established in 1978 to protect and share the nature, culture, and history of South Louisiana. As one of six JELA sites, Barataria Preserve consists of more than 26,000 acres of wild Louisiana wetlands, including hardwood forest, swamp, bayous, and marshes. The JELA Interpretation & Education Division helps people connect with the meaning and importance of Park sites, resources, and stories. Programs, exhibits, and learning experiences are designed to make complex information easy to understand and engaging for visitors. Stewards, in partnership with JELA - Barataria Preserve, are seeking an AmeriCorps member who will help benefit the Park and community by connecting people with their public lands, fostering a love of nature in the next generation, and completing service projects that will have an immediate and long-term positive impact on the visitor experience.

The Interpretation and Education Steward is an AmeriCorps position that will serve with Barataria Unit staff and Park partners to research, develop, plan, and facilitate educational programs and events. As a member of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve Team, the Interpretation and Education Steward will share the unique natural areas of Barataria Preserve & Wetland Trace through public education, interpretive programs, and youth outreach. In addition to supporting the Interpretation & Education division, the member will serve cross-divisionally with multiple park units to gain a comprehensive understanding of park operations. This collaboration will provide exposure to the varied responsibilities involved in managing and maintaining a national park, increase organizational awareness, and support career development.

If you are ready to embark on a fulfilling journey with Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, apply now at NPS – Conservation Steward - AmeriCorps by uploading your resume and cover letter, and take the first step towards a rewarding career with the National Park Service! 

To learn more about Stewards, please visit: Homepage | Stewards Individual Placement Program

To learn more about Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve and Barataria Preserve please visit: Barataria Preserve - Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

Description of Duties:

As an AmeriCorps member serving with Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve - Barataria Preserve in New Orleans, LA, your responsibilities will include:

• Providing interpretive programs to the public, which involves researching, developing, planning, and facilitating engaging experiences to help visitors connect with multiple JELA sites.
• Creating accurate, engaging content; delivering programs safely and effectively; and adapting presentations to varied audiences.
• Supporting youth engagement and education by creating memorable learning experiences for students, scout groups, and homeschool families through field trips and hands-on activities.
• Developing accurate educational content, coordinating group logistics, delivering programs safely, and adapting activities to varied learning needs.
• Participating in career fairs, tabling events, and visiting local partners offsite to build positive relationships with the community.
• Preparing outreach materials, engaging with varied audiences, maintaining professionalism, and coordinating logistics for offsite visits.
• Assisting the Communications Team in developing social media and website content by sharing ideas, photos, and information regarding projects, programs, and successes.
• Supporting visitor services and site operations.
• Helping to identify project priorities, monitoring progress, and setting achievable goals.
• Using government email and networks to collaborate with staff, partners, and volunteers.
• Serving cross-divisionally at multiple Park units to support a variety of activities that contribute to visitor safety, resource protection, and overall park stewardship.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.

• Between the ages of 18 – 30, or up to age 35 with Veteran status.

• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

• Must have a valid Driver’s License.

• Commitment to learning new skills and varied perspectives.
• Strong interest in history and public education.
• Ability to serve with young adults and children.
• Basic computer skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, earth science, education, or related field preferred.
• Willingness to serve outdoors in hot and humid conditions.
• Prior experience or knowledge of citizen science programs, Louisiana nature and wildlife, hunting, fishing, outdoor recreation, Scouting organizations, or related skills is beneficial. 

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 a week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• The member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
• The member will serve fully in person on site.

Orientation and Training:

• The member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• The member will receive training that covers interpretive techniques, subject-matter knowledge, communication skills, and safety protocols.
• The member will receive training that covers youth engagement techniques, curriculum alignment, safety procedures, and classroom management.
• The member will receive training that covers public communication skills, outreach messaging, park safety procedures, and event protocols.  
• The member will receive First Aid/CPR/AED training, Making a Difference Through Interpretation training (In-person or webinar), Defensive driving, Incident Command System training, and other available opportunities as requested or desired to align with career goals.
• Additional training may include general site maintenance and beautification, and natural/cultural resource program efforts. All service activities will be supervised and intentionally designed to provide a holistic understanding of park operations, complementing the member’s primary role in public engagement and education.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week.
• Professional Development funds of $2,000.
• AmeriCorps health insurance if eligible.
• Loan forbearance if eligible.
• Interest payments if eligible.
• Eligible for Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority upon successful completion of term.

• Training and Professional Development opportunities.
• Employee wellness program (connect with a licensed professional counselor and 24/7 support).

• Networking and mentorship.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps volunteer, performance will be evaluated on whether the volunteer has completed the required number of hours, the volunteer has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the volunteer 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.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:

Meaghan Hall

Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator

mhall@conservationlegacy.org

681-666-3266  

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 : $200 - $600