Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES Internship)

** Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES Internship)**

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Individual Placement/Internships

Beckley, WV ID: 2747-984 Full-Time/Regular

**Title: YES Internship (Youth Empowerment Stewards)**

**Location: Beckley WV -with remote opportunity**

**Start date: July 1, 2021 (flexible)**

**End date (12 weeks after the start date)**

**Status:** This is a full-time, seasonal 450-hour AmeriCorps National Service position. There are three (3) open positions within Conservation Legacy.

**Contact:** Jessica Zukowski-- [email protected]; 681-###-####

**Position Summary**

This is a great opportunity to learn more about a career in resource management and land stewardship! At Conservation Legacy, we recognize the health of our planet and our people depend on varied voices, ideas, and experiences working together to solve the complex problems we face. YES members will be assigned positions within Conservation Legacy or key partner programs (including US Forest Service, National Park Service, US Fish and Wildlife, and others) that advance accessibility and inclusion in our public land areas. Interns will also support Conservation Legacy and our partners in developing inclusive programming for staff, members, and visitors with a focus on creating inclusive spaces and opportunities for people with and without disabilities. Assigned partner projects vary, but all provide YES members with career training in land management programming and conservation service and opportunities to connect with future career employment prospects.

**Program Description**

The YES program is a seasonal 12-week internship supported through Conservation Legacys National Stewards Individual Placement Program. With the support from grant funding, the YES internship is available to individuals with a disability 18-24 years of age and Veterans up to age 35.

**YES Internship Overview**

The important and invaluable role of the YES member is to assist in seasonal programming and administration needs of Conservation Legacy and key partner programming. Projects will vary between programs and may include any of the following: the study of natural habitats, park trail and infrastructure design consultation, vegetation identification, community meeting representation, water monitoring, policy research, general trail maintenance, training and education presentations, cultural resource management activities, grant research, and general administrative support.

Specific areas of responsibility for the Conservation Legacy cohort of YES members (4) include:

* Research barriers to entry for people with disabilities experience when seeking employment and internships in outdoor spaces

* Provide tools and assist in the development of training resources for Conservation Legacy Staff and program partners.

* Make recommendations to Conservation Legacy and partners to address barriers and resource needs.

* Review the components of inclusion programming and staffing compliance, cultural sensitivity, accommodations, and communication training and strategies.

* Support outreach plans to recruit future intern and crew YES members.

**About Stewards and Conservation Legacy:**

Stewards, a program of Conservation Legacy, matches young people across the nation in conservation, climate and land management projects that build capacity, improve access to natural resources, develop and support innovative solutions, develop opportunities for service and economic development, and empower leaders. Stewards eastern programs maintain strategic focus of connecting young people to critical conservation internship and job skills training across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, and DC. Conservation Legacy is a nationwide network of conservation service organizations. Programs focus on service, place-based learning, life skills development, appreciation of diversity, civic responsibility, and career development. Conservation Legacy also provides an opportunity for members to learn about the local environment and issues affecting it and introduces individuals to recreation and resource management careers.

**Benefits:**

* $580/week living stipend, paid bi-weekly

* $1,678.57 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award upon successful completion of 450-hour service term (award amount varies based on length of commitment and can be used for paying off federal student loans or paying tuition for a Title IV accredited college)

* Specific program and employee resource groups to support a workplace culture of belonging including mentor opportunities and affinity spaces.

* Diversity and inclusion training for all employees.

* Flexible work arrangements to enable you to meet the requirements of your role in a way thats right for you

* Possible student loan forbearance

* Member Assistance Program 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist

* Uniform shirt and other necessary safety equipment is provided

* On-the-job training

* Additional subject-specific trainings may be offered

* Depending upon the academic institution and program, this position may fulfill internship requirements

* Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths

**Housing is NOT provided for this position.*

**General Qualifications:**

* Be between the ages of 18 and 24 (exception for veterans up to age 35)

* US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status

* Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

* Familiarity with Microsoft Office programs and applications, or similar platforms.

* Exhibits the ability to effectively work on diverse teams or with a variety of populations, including those underrepresented at our organization and those of BIPOC communities.

* Ability to communicate and collaborate in a variety of virtual and job site settings

* Comfortable working in a field and office environment.

* Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (individuals are eligible if they have not already completed 2 full years of AmeriCorps service, or 4 AmeriCorps service terms, whichever comes first please contact us if you are unsure of your eligibility)

* Work independently and secure transportation as needed to specific program sites and projects.

* Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal and/or State criminal background check.

***Preferred Qualifications:***

* Global experience with accessibility/ disability policy

* Comfortable with ambiguity and working in a fast-paced team driven by innovation and entrepreneurial approaches.

* Strong interest in a future career in natural resources, environmental science, parks and recreation, or conservation.

* High school diploma or GED

**Physical Requirements:**

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, the ability to move across varied terrain and use program specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse profession