Outdoor Recreation Fellow – AmeriCorps

position Title: Outdoor Recreation Fellow – AmeriCorps

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Washington, D.C. or Sacramento, CA

• Washington, DC – 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC 20240
• Sacramento, CA – 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 5/18/2026
• End Date: 5/14/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hours
• • Position is planned for 52 weeks, with an additional 24-week term to follow for a total of 76 weeks.

Purpose:

The National Park Service (NPS) 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.

The NPS outdoor recreation program within the Partnerships and Civic Engagement directorate serves as a leader, central point of contact, and partner in advancing the outdoor recreation mission of the NPS in balance with natural and cultural resource conservation. In coordination with internal divisions, Federal agencies, and external partners, the program aims to ensure access to welcoming  outdoor recreation opportunities and experiences in and around our national parks, lands, and waters for visitors.

This AmeriCorps role will assist the NPS outdoor recreation program in developing tools, resources, and strategic support for increasing access to outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors in national parks. The member in this role will work with national offices to develop communications, develop key partnerships, and support training and delivery of trail and outdoor recreation assessments in parks to improve outdoor recreation access for visitors and implementation of Title II, Subtitle A of Public Law 118-234, H.R. 6492 EXPLORE Act.

description of Duties:

Work with Program Manager and Senior staff to:

• Develop tools and resources for NPS park managers and others to build awareness of relevant applicable recreation information, Federal laws, trail assessments, and opportunities to increase outdoor recreation access in parks for visitors.
• Identify potential funding, trainings, resources, and capacity support opportunities for national parks to support the improvement or development of trail and outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Support the NPS with implementation of the EXPLORE Act Title II, Subtitle A, including assessment, training, and support for national parks measuring, improving, and constructing new trail and outdoor recreation opportunities, in line with applicable laws.
• Develop recommendations for how to prioritize trails for obtaining measurements within a park. This may include identifying or selecting the most common recreation devices used in the park or local area and focus on trails that can support those devices.
• Identify potential local partners, relevant NGO’s and other Federal, state, or local entities for parks to partner to advance increased access to outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors.
• Participate in HETAP device training and work with one or two parks to utilize the device in the field.
• Create communication guidance and recommendations for sharing trail information on signage and park websites.
• Develop a model for how youth corps fellows can support parks in partnering with local partners to measure park trails and obtain necessary data.
• Support multi-agency coordination to advance improved outdoor recreation opportunities on public lands and waters including participating in interagency meetings, notetaking, and strategic planning.
• Support related national strategic priorities, such as coordination with gateway communities and national partnership support.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be between the ages of 18 and 30 (or 35 for veterans) for Public Land Corps eligibility.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completion of a Bachelor’s Degree in a field such as community or outdoor recreation planning, recreation management, environmental studies, natural resource management, geography, law, recreation, engineering, or landscape architecture
• 1-2 years of professional work experience
• Ability to think critically and creatively
• Ability to initiate and carry out independent work
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of people and develop strong partner networks
• Strong oral and written communications skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Strong literature review and analytical skills
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure
• Ability to negotiate and handle stressful situations in a diplomatic and non-adversarial manner
• Comfortable working in a professional environment which may include meeting with senior staff, leadership, and elected officials
• Comfortable working outdoors, on trails, and in the field; ability to lift and carry trail measuring equipment

Our Commitment:

jobshiringnearme.org 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 9AM to 5:30PM, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Professional Development Fund of $10,000.00 for travel and training
• Hands-on mentored work experience; individual training available to meet specific interests and needs.
• NPS cohort experience, with peer sessions, training, mentorship and support.
• Any additional NPS Trainings

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
• Living Allowance of $807.90 per week.
• Healthcare Coverage if Eligible
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible

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.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

jobshiringnearme.org Legacy Contact information:

Emma Nehan-Springstead, enehan@conservationlegacy.org

jobshiringnearme.org 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.