Santa Cruz Valley NHA Communications/Outreach Steward-AmeriCorps

Position Title: Santa Cruz Valley NHA Communications/Outreach Steward - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area, 201 N. Stone Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85701

Terms of Service:

•                 Ideal Start Date: 2/2/2026

•                 End Date: 3/27/2026

•                 AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 Hour, 8 weeks

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area (SCVNHA) will host a Communications & Outreach Steward.

The Communications & Outreach Steward is an AmeriCorps position that will assist Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area in fulfilling its mission to preserve and conserve the area’s cultural, natural, and historic resources. National Heritage Areas are places where natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape arising from human activity shaped by geography.  These patterns make National Heritage Areas representative of the national experience through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in them.  These regions are acknowledged by Congress for their capacity to tell nationally important stories about our nation. NHAs promote greater public and private participation and partnership in historic preservation, education, outdoor recreation and conservation activities, which build a resource stewardship ethic for participants and the public.

The Communications & Outreach steward will assist heritage area staff with developing high-quality, research-based content for the organization’s public-facing website. This opportunity focuses on researching historic and culturally significant places, verifying information, and preparing well-organized content drafts that align with SCVNHA’s interpretive themes and mission. The steward will collaborate with NHA staff, receive training on content standards and research expectations, and contribute directly to the expansion and improvement of SCVNHA’s digital visitor resources. 

Description of Duties:

·       Produce research-based content drafts that are aligned with NHA interpretive themes and ready for staff review and website preparation. 

·       Research and compile verified lists and descriptions of historic lodging and dining locations to bolster heritage tourism experiences. 

·       Research and develop historic foodways content to bolster heritage tourism experiences.

·       Maintain organized documentation of sources, verification calls, and content workflow. 

Qualifications:

·       Undergraduate or graduate degree in communications, website design, history, research, or similar field.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of 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 National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site.

 Preferred Qualifications:

·       Confident with direct communication (phone/email/site visits) and conducting follow-ups with stakeholders.

·       Excellent oral and written communication skills.

·       Passion for, or interest in, cultural heritage and environmental conservation.

·       Experience with conducting online and independent research.

·       Proficient in using Microsoft Office Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc), Canva, and Social Media platforms.

Additional Position and Community Information:

·       The Santa Cruz Valley NHA is headquartered in Tucson, Arizona but spans Pima and Santa Cruz counties in Southern Arizona. Tucson is listed as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy and has major amenities like grocery stores, local lodging and restaurants, coffee shops and breweries, medical hospitals, and is home to the University of Arizona. Saguaro National Park and Tumacácori National Historical Park are located within the NHA and include many unique opportunities to learn the local history, cultures, and Sonoran Desert ecosystem. The area has many local trails, and opportunities for cycling and hiking.

·       Housing will not be provided by the host site and the selected candidate may reside within commuting distance of the host site.

·       Must have your own functional laptop (required software will be provided).

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 full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary according to project needs. Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
• 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 program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• The heritage area staff will provide overall mentorship and training on content standards and historical research best practices.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08 (pre-tax)
• Living Allowance of $660.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Weekly Additional Benefit of $290.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

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.

How to Apply:

Find position in table at: https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/conservationlegacy.careers?ShowJob=705186818  Open position, review full position description and click apply.

In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by December 19, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Supervisor/Mentor Name and Contact Information:

·       Service Site Contact information: Nisa Talavera at nisa@santacruzheritage.org

·       Program Contact information: Ali Jones, ajones@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 : $290 - $660