National Park Service - Youth Conservation Corps Leader - AmeriCorps

Position Title:  National Park Service – Youth Conservation Corps Leader - AmeriCorps

Number of Openings: Two

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Virgin Islands National Park

1300 Cruz Bay Creek, St. John, VI 00830

Terms of Service:

• Anticipated Start Date: 06/1/2026
• Anticipated End Date: 08/07/2027 (10 weeks)
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 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. Virgin Islands National Park, established in 1956, covers approximately 7,259 acres and is designated as a Biosphere Reserve. The Visitor Services Division at Virgin Islands National Park serves the communities of St. Thomas and St. John US Virgin Islands and the global visiting public. The division oversees interpretation of the parks natural and cultural resources, education programs for schools, and the parks volunteer program. The park also hosts special events and programs throughout the calendar year. The Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program engages young people in meaningful service experiences that provide opportunities for natural area stewardship, civic responsibility, conservation projects, and skill development on public lands.

The Youth Conservation Corps Leader is an AmeriCorps position that will serve alongside a second YCC Leader to support 12 Youth Conservation Corps members for the summer 2026 season. The YCC leaders will lead day-to-day activities of the Youth Conservation Corps, overseeing service projects and coordinating travel and supply logistics. YCC leaders will attend a two-week leadership training before supporting members for a 7-week YCC program. The YCC leaders will spend their last week of service resupplying and preparing for the 2027 YCC program.

If you are ready to embark on a fulfilling journey with Virgin Islands National Park, apply now at conservationlegacy:Career Search 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 Virgin Islands National Park, please visit: Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

To learn more about the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) program, please visit: Youth Conservation Corps - Youth & Young Adult Programs (U.S. National Park Service)

Description of Duties:

As an AmeriCorps Member serving with Virgin Islands National Park in St. John, VI, your responsibilities will include:

• Overseeing the day-to-day activities and safety of the YCC members, transporting them to and from their assigned destinations.
• Ensuring YCC members complete service tasks safely and efficiently and research and prepare their end of service presentation in a timely manner.
• Using the principles learned in Operational Leadership Training to ensure that all service projects are completed in a safe and efficient manner.
• Ensuring YCC members are equipped each day with everything they need to be able to complete their tasks: proper lunch and snacks, adequate water supply, and any needed PPE.
• Assisting maintenance projects and other service projects with different park divisions led by NPS employees.
• Reinforcing instructions and safety messages to serve alongside and oversee YCC members to complete given tasks.
• Resupplying the YCC program for the following year.

Qualifications:

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

• Between the ages of 21 – 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.

• Ability to serve manually outdoors with a tolerance for heat and humidity.
• Excellent communication and customer service skills.
• Experience with youth engagement, event planning, and conflict resolution.
• Leadership skills, patience, and emotional intelligence.
• Camping, backpacking, or other outdoor skills and experience preferred.

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, Monday - Friday, 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 attend leadership training before the YCC program starts.
• The member will have daily check-ins with the on-site mentor to ensure they are ready for service assignments and outings for the following day.
• During the program, the member will learn about different aspects and opportunities in the National Park Service and conservation industry along with the YCC members.
• The member will receive an overview of the National Park Service, operational leadership and interpretation training, and will also have opportunities to interact with various divisions such as Law Enforcement, Concessions Management, Administration, and both Natural and Cultural Resources

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08.
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $280 per week.
• On Site Housing Available.
• 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 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.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:

Meaghan Hall

Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator

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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.