Ancestral Lands Conservations Corps - Valle de Oro Visitors Services Individual Placement

Title: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps - Valle De Oro Visitors Services Individual Placement

Stipend:  $600/week  (+Education Award) 

Dates:   5/22/2023 - 5/17/2024

Term:  52 weeks 

Reports To:  Valle De Oro Wildlife Refuge

Location:  7851 2nd St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 

Status:  1700 hour AmeriCorps  Service Term 

Benefits:  AmeriCorps  Education  Award  $6,345.00  after each successful  completion, professional development opportunities, eligible for Public Land Corps Hiring Authority.

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps’ Mission 

Our vision is to lead our Nations back to ecological and cultural well-being by engaging underrepresented Indigenous youth and young adults in conservation service programs that reconnect participants to the land, their cultural heritage, and their traditions. We work to remove barriers to participation, education, and employment by partnering with local community organizations, agencies, and institutes of higher learning to create paid service and career training opportunities, personal and professional development, and pathways to postsecondary education and employment. *Ancestral Lands serves local tribal communities in the regions we operate.  Preference will be given to Native American Applicants.  This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

US Fish and Wildlife Service Mission:

The mission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service is, "working with others, to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."

The vision of Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge is, "Valle de Oro NWR uses an innovative approach to connect people with wildlife and land by providing equitable ways to deepen personal relationships with nature. The refuge balances healthy habitat management with opportunities for education, visitor engagement, youth employment, community involvement and stewardship."

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge's value statement is:

Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge staff, interns and volunteers are committed to the following values as fundamental and foundational principles of the refuge. These values guide how we work and interact with one another, our partners and our greater community.

Intentional and Adaptable: Consciously working toward a shared vision or goal and continuously reflecting and sharing successes, mistakes and lessons learned.

Innovative and Continually Learning: Taking risks to broaden the breadth and depth of work accomplished in the field of conservation to include: community engagement, art, culture, technology, social and environmental justice. Committing to continuously learn from each other, community members, partners and stakeholders to keep approaches fresh and relevant.

Respectful and Kind: Honoring the knowledge of our mission, staff, stakeholders, community and surrounding cultures. Refuge staff are approachable, respectful and kind and actively listen to the needs and concerns of others (volunteers, partners, and community members) and respond appropriately in thoughtful ways.

Credible: Building and maintaining trust in the community and aspire to be transparent, realistic and patient with staff, partners and community members as the refuge grows and changes.

Accessible and Just: Providing equitable and inclusive opportunities and meaningful connection for people of diverse backgrounds, economic standings, abilities, and ages.

Collaborative: Intentionally and collaboratively working with partners, volunteers and community members to make decisions and take action. We believe that our combined effect is greater when we work together and have many voices at the table.

Program Overview:

The ALCC visitor services individual placement intern position helps to support the education and recreation goals for engaging Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge's intended audience in the Mountain View Neighborhood, the Pueblo of Isleta and the South Valley. The individual placement intern will focus on: leading and supporting the design of education and interpretation programming (including events), leading the Pueblo of Isleta hiking club, coordination and posting for the refuge's social media pages. Other projects include coordinating the annual Valle de Oro National Wildlife Refuge photo contest, assembling a refuge "year book", assisting with volunteer coordination, helping to staff the visitor center front desk and deepen the refuge's relationship with Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps. 

Essential functions and responsibilities:

This ALCC Valle de Oro Visitors Services Individual Placement will complete the projects outlined below:

Lead and support education, interpretation programs and events:

• Work with supervisor to Identify upcoming education and interpretation programs and events on a quarterly basis. 
• Work with supervisor to identify responsibilities for education, interpretation and events
  on a quarterly basis.
• Complete reports on events lead at the refuge. 

Leading Valle de Oro Wildlife Refuge social media outreach:

• Work with refuge staff to review social media posting schedule and protocols.
• Revise and refine posting schedule.
• Create content and campaigns to engage the public in refuge events and help educate the public about the refuge through social media channels.

Staff visitor center Welcome Desk operations:

• Staff the welcome desk on a regular schedule.
• Help to organize and improve the welcome desk resource binder.
• Be well versed in common questions that visitors may ask.
• Be well versed in up to date information about the refuge.

Apply Now!

To apply, please complete the online application including an updated resume. Contact Andrea Hanks at ahanks@conservationlegacy.org with any questions.

1. One or more years of experience in visitor services, or customer services.
2. Experience in outdoor education, recreation and interpretation
3. Comfortable with public speaking and working with a diversity of audiences
4. Experience leading hiking expeditions with children and youth
5. Experience with graphic design and social media management
6. Ability to lead projects and tasks independently and with a team