Individual Placement - Education Individual Placement at Valles Caldera National Preserve

Position Summary 

The SCA Environmental Education Placement will assist Valles Caldera National Preserve with many activities that connect the local community and provide the candidate with prime career experience. This position will focus on planning and presenting environmental education programs for a variety of audiences in classrooms across Northern New Mexico, on-location at the Preserve, and virtually by distance learning. Activities include but will not be limited to: developing or revising curriculum-based lesson plans, working with teachers and partner organizations to develop curriculum and events, designing educational materials for lessons, and occasionally assisting in the operation of a Visitor Center. These experiential learning opportunities will be hands-on, engaging, and will utilize resources in the local community and environment. The duties of this position will support Valles Caldera goals through presenting programs, fostering partnerships, co-teaching, and leading.

Location 

Jemez Springs, NM

Schedule 

November 16, 2026 - November 12, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

The key duties for this position are planning and presenting K-12 and University environmental education programs, developing curriculum-based lesson plans, conducting research on and developing distance learning programs, designing educational materials, working with partners to broaden the reach of the park, and participating in community events.

Marginal Duties 

Beyond those duties, this position will occasionally assist with the Preserve’s daily visitor services facility (the Volcano Discovery Center) operations and answer visitor questions, assist in employee trainings, rove park trails to talk to visitors and record resource conditions, and support the rest of the team in any way possible.

Required Qualifications 

This position needs a personal vehicle to commute to and from the park as in-park housing is only available seasonally. As they are also working with children, operating visitor facilities, and accessing government systems, they will need to have the proper background clearance to have a PIV card, work unattended in a government facility, and lead school groups.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.

Preferred Qualifications 

- Experience facilitating education programs for K-12 students 

- Experience developing curriculum-based lesson plans 

- Knowledge in geology, wildlife, New Mexico indigenous peoples, and/or high-elevation ecosystems 

- Experience working with the public 

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

If needed, the park can provide year-round housing at the park’s Jemez Springs Housing Campus. Units are single-bedroom efficiency apartments with a common building for cooking, dining, laundry, and socializing. Apartments are furnished with bed, table, and chairs. Common building is furnished with cooking and eating supplies and internet.

Compensation  

• Living allowance: $750/week
• Commuting allowance: $250/week
• Duty-related travel allowance: $2,000/year

All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes. 

Personal Vehicle Information

Recommended

Additional Benefits 

Defensive Driving Training

First Aid/CPR

Interpretive Skills

Informal interpretive and education training

Outdoor recreation safety skills

Interdisciplinary opportunities

AmeriCorps: Not Eligible

Equal Opportunity Statement 

SCA is an equal opportunity employer. Selection decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and performance, without unlawful discrimination.