Position Title: National Park Service – Civil Rights Steward – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Locations: Anniston, AL / Birmingham, AL / Montgomery, AL / Tuskegee, AL / Atlanta, GA / Nicholasville, KY / Jackson, MS / Natchez, MS / Beaufort, SC
Terms of Service:
- Anticipated Start Date: 09/14/2026
- Anticipated End Date: 7/30/2027 (46 weeks)
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 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. The National Park Service was established in 1916 and protects unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Youth and Volunteer Programs in the Southeast Region engage volunteers, youths, and young adults in support of the National Park Service while cultivating enriching experiences that reach all generations. Stewards, in partnership with that National Park Service, is seeking an AmeriCorps Volunteer who will join a cohort of ten individuals placed at separate park units whose primary themes are rooted in the American Civil Rights experience from the 19th century to the present. Volunteers will provide high quality service to the visiting public who arrive at the parks by answering questions, presenting formal and informal presentations and contacts, engaging via social media, and completing a group project.
The Civil Rights Steward is an AmeriCorps volunteer position that will support park visitor services, public communications, and park specific needs such as resource stewardship, volunteer programs, or education programs. The volunteer will serve alongside experienced National Park Service employees to assist with park operations and will participate in professional development activities related to their duties. The volunteer will also collaborate on a cohort project to create a handbook for future volunteers on interpreting the American Civil Rights eras that includes self-awareness and self-care when immersed in difficult, emotional, or controversial topics.
If you are ready to embark on a fulfilling journey as an AmeriCorps volunteer, apply now 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
Description of Duties:
As an AmeriCorps volunteer, your responsibilities will include:
- Providing visitor services and interpretation in a formal and informal manner.
- Increasing public awareness of park’s themes, activities, purpose, and resources through public communications, drafting social media content, and improving the park’s online presence on nps.gov, social media, and NPGallery.
- Preparing and presenting walks, talks, and illustrated programs to the visiting public, community groups, and school groups about the park’s stories and resources.
- Assisting at the visitor center and contact stations to greet visitors, park neighbors, and others to provide accurate and in-depth information and orientation to the park and its surroundings.
- Drafting messaging for use in social media or park webpages and updating online photos and document resources available to the public.
- Collaborating with the cohort to create a handbook for future volunteers on interpreting the American Civil Rights eras that includes self-awareness and self-care when immersed in difficult, emotional, or controversial topics.
- Contributing to cohort and individual projects as assigned.
- Participating in cohort trainings and development opportunities.
Qualifications:
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
- Between the ages of 18 – 30, or up to age 35 with Veteran status.
- 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.
- Must have a valid Driver’s License.
- Mature individual with at least 12 months of demonstrated experience – paid or volunteer – in providing tours, formal presentations, or similar education activities to both youths and adults.
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Experience with social media, creating video content, and in-person customer service in a hospitality or recreation setting is 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 from 9am-5pm, but exact service schedules may vary. Some weekends may be required for special park events and activations. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
- The volunteer may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
- The volunteer will serve fully in person on site.
Orientation and Training:
- The volunteer will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- The volunteer will receive cohort training and onsite training unique to the park including situational awareness and handling stressful situations.
- The volunteer will receive onsite or virtual training by subject matter experts and attend virtual workshops.
- The volunteer will receive cohort training and site-specific training in interpretation, writing for adult learners, and research using primary, secondary, and tertiary resources.
- The volunteer will attend a professional workshop in Atlanta, GA in October 2026, co-hosted by Martin Luther King, Jr. NHP and the Center for Civil and Human Rights. This workshop will delve into telling Civil Rights stories from ages 6 through adult.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00.
- Living Allowance of $640 per week.
- Additional Benefit of $100 per week.
- AmeriCorps Health Insurance if Eligible.
- 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 volunteer, performance will be evaluated on whether the volunteer has completed the required number of hours, the volunteer has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the volunteer 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
681-666-3266
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.