NPS - Zion National Park - Interpretation and Education Intern Individual Placement-AmeriCorps

Position Title:  Interpretation and Education Intern - AmeriCorps 

Conservation Legacy Program: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps 

Site Location: Zion National Park

1 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 12/07/2026
• End Date: 11/05/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700

Purpose:

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps Mission

Our vision is to lead our Nations back to ecological and cultural well-being by engaging underrepresented Indigenous youth and young adults in conservation service programs that reconnect participants to the land, their cultural heritage, and their traditions. We work to remove barriers to participation, education, and employment by partnering with local community organizations, agencies, and institutes of higher learning to create paid service and career training opportunities, personal and professional development, and pathways to postsecondary education and employment. 

*Ancestral Lands serves local tribal communities in the regions we operate. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. Native American applicants are encouraged to apply.

Zion National Park Purpose

Preserve the dramatic geology including Zion Canyon and a labyrinth of deep and brilliantly colored Navajo Sandstone canyons formed by extraordinary processes of erosion at the margin of the Colorado Plateau; to safeguard the park's wilderness character and its wild and scenic river values; to protect evidence of human history; and to provide for scientific research and the enjoyment and enlightenment of the public.

Within the park, the division of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services focuses on conveying the importance of the parks natural, cultural, and historic resources to the wide variety of park visitors, fostering both intellectual and emotional connections to the landscape.  We endeavor to reach park visitors through a variety of formal programs, informal contacts throughout the park, publications, exhibits, and digital media.

Description of Duties:

Intern will assist members of the division of Interpretation, Education, and Visitor Services in developing and presenting interpretation and education programs for visitors to Zion National Park. Programs will focus on natural, cultural, and historical themes associated with the area of park and on the mission of the National Park Service. This project will focus on fostering a better understanding of national parks and a connection between the community and the outdoors. In addition, this project will seek to inspire adults and students of all ages to become environmental stewards through various engaging interpretive, educational, and outreach programs. Interns will have the opportunity to develop digital media for the park website, social media accounts, or produce educational materials with the goal of encouraging a greater sense of land stewardship in our parks.

• Work with supervisor to develop interpretive programs. The supervisor will assist in finding appropriate techniques, images, and props for an effective program.
• Research program content such as the natural and human history of Zion National Park, and write up structured program outlines for each program. Outlines will include program themes, goals, and essential questions.
• Work with supervisor and visual information specialists to draft social media posts to be published on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
• Work with supervisor to review park website materials.  Determine if updates can be made to pages regarding natural, cultural, or historical information on the website. Draft articles or updates to existing materials.
• Work with supervisor and visual information staff to develop informational and educational videos. Videos may be uploaded to the park website or social media accounts.
• Work with supervisor and cultural resources managers to assist with projects throughout the park. Examples of projects may include site remediation, inventorying, developing reference/field guides, and more.
• As schedule allows, assist with vegetation projects throughout the park, including planting of native plants for revegetation, trail rehabilitation, or slope stabilization projects.
• Identify tangible materials and resources needed to engage audiences during activities and programs.
• Work with Education Staff to support Junior Ranger programs and outreach. Programs will connect children, youth, and families to Zion's significant natural and cultural resources. 

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 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.
• Undergraduate education in history, archeology, geology, biology, ecology, cultural studies, or related subjects preferred.
• Must be comfortable and proficient in speaking to large groups of people, including children. 
• Must be able to stand and walk for extensive periods, and in some cases, over rough surfaces or inclines while carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc.
• Must be able to work full days outside in high or low temperatures, or adverse weather conditions.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be comfortable driving on steep and windy roads.

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 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 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.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Member will receive an orientation to Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps and Conservation Legacy.
• Member will receive an orientation to Zion National Park

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $300 per week.
• 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:

Kennedy Nelson  Contact Information: knelson@conservationlegacy.org

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 : $300 - $600