Individual Placement - Outdoor Education Participant

Position Summary 

This position involves working with two different service teams: 1) the Southeast Utah Group NPS education program and 2) and the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park, assisting at the visitor center information desk and participating in visitor services and interpretation duties throughout the park. The education program partners with the local school district to bring students from local public schools into the parks for hands-on, place-based field trips tied to the Utah core standards. Interpretation duties at the Needles Visitor Center involve answering visitor questions, assisting with the Junior Ranger program, and providing informal interpretation opportunities to visitors on trails and overlooks.

Hosting Organization

Canyonlands National Park

Location 

Monticello, UT

• This position is primarily in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. SCA Members regularly interact with members of the public. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception maybe limited, spotty, or not available.
• This position may conduct work in a front country setting where emergency services are accessible, but may be delayed by 1-2 hours. Access to public transportation at work site is limited or not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.
• This position may conduct work in a backcountry setting where emergency services are limited and may be delayed by several hours to days. Access to public transportation at work site is not possible. Cell phone reception is limited, spotty, or not available.

Schedule 

January 24, 2027 - May 8, 2027

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Education duties will include:

• Teach standards-based lessons from the CCOE curriculum, manage students for safety in the outdoors, assist with pre- and post-field trip classroom visits (60%)
• Prepare and plan for instruction, support education program logistics, safely drive a government vehicle, and complete projects to maintain program quality (20%)
• Participate in activities to develop education skills including program debriefs, training sessions for best practices in environmental education, informal peer observation, video self-evaluations, and formal coaching sessions (10%)
• Contribute feedback to program to ensure its continued success (5%)
• Occasionally present and develop extracurricular programming for area youth which may include junior ranger programs, after school clubs, or community events (5%)

Interpretation and Visitor Services duties (2 days/week) will include:

• Answer questions at the visitor center, provide directions, recommend hiking trails, interact with Junior Rangers, process lost and found items, operate a 2-way radio and telephone, and other duties as necessary
• Hike and rove on park trails for the purpose of chatting with visitors, answering questions, and assisting them to gain the most of their visit
• Develop and present an informal junior ranger program for youth groups and families and pop-up tables at viewpoints

Marginal Duties 

• Assisting with special events; possibly research, write, and present a formal interpretive talk

Required Qualifications 

• A state-issued Drivers License and be at least eighteen years of age.
• A strong interest in teaching elementary-aged children and desire to explore careers with the National Park Service.
• A personal vehicle.

This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All Individual Placements must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Individual Placements 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. Individual Placements must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent or agree to obtain one or be enrolled in an institution of higher education.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Curiosity about making science learning meaningful for students through facilitating connections to their surrounding landscapes
• Willingness to live in a rural, isolated area with extremes in weather
• Humility and openness to multiple ways of thinking about nature and the environment
• Attention to growing as an educator and receiving feedback on teaching and teaching materials
• Interest in serving communities surrounding national parks and monuments
• A student asset-based (vs. deficit-based) mindset towards education
• A collaborative approach to work and the ability to manage projects independently.
• Previous experience working with youth.

Hours 

40 per week

Living Accommodations 

Housing is a shared park apartment or house in town with private bedroom. Basic kitchen dishware/cookware and utensils are provided. Individual Placements should bring your own bedding, towels, toiletries, and other needed personal items. Washer/dryer are available.

Compensation  

• $1,100 - one-time round-trip travel allowance
• $600 - weekly living allowance
• Housing provided by NPS
• AmeriCorps Eligible/Optional (upon successful completion of service term and minimum 450 service hours) Education Award valued at $1,956.35.

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

Personal Vehicle Information

Driving

Driving a motor vehicle for the partner agency/organization is a requirement for this position.

To be able to drive a motor vehicle for the SCA, you must:

• Be able to complete or fulfill all partner driving requirements.  

Additional Benefits 

• Defensive Driving Training
• Interpretive Skills
• AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional

Equal Opportunity Statement 

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