NPS Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance - (Remote )Hydropower Program Fellow

Individual Placement/Internships

REMOTE, US

4822-984

Full-Time/Regular

Title: NPS Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance Fellowship - Hydropower Program Fellow

Stipend: $634.00 Weekly Living Stipend

Dates: February 2024

Term: 52 weeks, full time

Reports To: National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program. National Park Service.

Location: REMOTE WORK ELIGIBLE

Status: 1700-hour AmeriCorps Service Term

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award of $6,345.00 and will be eligible for Public Land Corps Hiring Authority after successful completion of term. Health insurance will be offer by Conservation Legacy.

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps’ Mission:

It is the mission of the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC) to lead our nations back to cultural and ecological well-being. Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps has offices in Acoma Pueblo, Isleta Pueblo, Gallup NM (Navajo Nation), Zuni Pueblo, and Hopi Tribe. ALCC also serves Indigenous Youth across the country through its Individual Placements Program. *Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps serves local tribal communities in the regions we operate and across the United States. Native American applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. 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.

National Park Service Mission:

The National Park Service preserves 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 NPS cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

In addition to protecting and managing America's 423 national parks, the NPS also operates programs that extend throughout the nation to connect all Americans to their parks, trails, rivers, and other special places. NPS has responsibilities for a number of Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Programs including the Office of Outdoor Recreation, Hydropower Assistance Program, Wild and Scenic Rivers Program, and Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program which are managed through the Washington DC Headquarters Office.

NPS - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) Program Overview:

The NPS operates programs in communities throughout the nation to connect people across the country to their parks, trails, rivers, and other special places. This fellowship position is within the NPS- Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program, which helps community groups, nonprofits, state and local governments, and tribes plan parks and trails, conserve and improve access to rivers and natural areas, and create recreation opportunities through locally led partnerships.

NPS Rivers Trails and Conservation Assistance - Hydropower Program Fellow Overview:

The fellow will assist the NPS Hydropower Assistance program by developing and managing geospatial tools, outreach and communication products, and guidance documents which will benefit communities and the environment through staff's effective engagement in hydropower proceedings. The fellow will work with NPS hydropower staff to manage the hydropower database, develop an annual report, update a story map and other communication products that illustrate the program's accomplishments. The fellow's work will also involve research and analysis which will help to inform the development of tools and guidance for staff and partners related to recreation and conservation in FERC proceedings with the goal of supporting protection of rivers and providing for outdoor recreation opportunities for communities accessing lands and waters near hydropower projects across the country.

Essential functions and responsibilities:

The NPS RTCA Hydropower Program Fellow will work to complete tasks and projects outlined below.

1) Develop and update geospatial and database tools for the hydropower program.

• Conduct a quality control of database entries.
• Update training guidance and assist staff with annual reporting. Provide a training webinar on how to use the database and what needs to be updated this year.
• Work with the Division's Program Geospecialist staff person to update the database.
• Develop guidance and GIS tools to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion in hydropower assistance projects. Add geospatial layers to the database to assist staff in project selection.
• Assist with updating the project projection tool for upcoming projects and the related map. Update guidance for staff. Share and obtain feedback from the hydropower team.
• Develop and update interactive and printable maps.

2) Develop Communication Tools

• Work with the Program Manager and Team Lead to modify and update the annual report, as needed. Utilize the database entries from FY22 projects and upcoming workload in FY23. Develop maps, charts, and tables to show the hydropower work. Download and modify spreadsheets from the project database and projection tool, as needed.
• Develop project stories that illustrate the program impact for the online Story Map and other communication products.
• Develop a newsletter that is shared with the NPS staff about relevant training and news.
• Update other existing communication tools such as the website and Sharepoint site.

3) Develop Research Reports and Guidance documents

• Topics of interest may include accessibility, welcoming/inclusive recreation, mitigation measures, adaptive management, and/or hydraulic models to support fish passage and in-stream flows. Research could also include best practices on incorporating traditional ecological knowledge, honoring tribal trust responsibilities, and conducting tribal consultation.
• Conduct research and summarize results
• Draft best practices and summary reports
• Revise reports based on input from the NPS staff

Minimum Qualifications:

• Age under 30 years of age as of February 2024 (up to 35 for veterans)
• Bachelors or Masters degree in geography, geographic information systems, outdoor recreation, planning, law, hydrology, water resource engineering, landscape architecture, environmental education, environmental studies, or a related field. and or in currently pursuing degree program.
• US citizenship or permanent residency. Interns must undergo a government background check if selected.
• Available to work full-time (40 hours per week)

The ideal candidate:

• is proficient in and enjoys writing and communicating clearly;
• has experience with or ability to learn the following software programs is desirable: Adobe InDesign, Excel, ArcGIS.
• is organized, able to listen, ask questions, and think critically;
• has experience, education, or interest in rivers.
• has confidence in their ability to conduct literature review and carry out independent research.

It is not expected that prospective candidates have experience in all of these areas. An interest in developing these skills and some experience through work and/or education in at least one of these areas is required.

Questions about the position or application can be directed to ALCC Individual Placements Coordinator, Shonto Greyeyes, shonto@conservationlegacy.org.

Updated: January 2024