Sangre de Cristo NHA Steward-AmeriCorps

Position Title:  Sangre de Cristo NHA Steward - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 231 State Avenue, Alamosa, CO 81101

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by 1/10/2025

Terms of Service:

• Ideal Start Date: 2/17/2025
• End Date: 5/9/2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours, 12 weeks

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the National Park Service are seeking an individual who will assist the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area in organizing, cataloging, and archiving a collection on the history of the heritage area and the San Luis Valley of Colorado. This is an AmeriCorps position where the Steward will also assist with historical research related to 10 historic properties for potential nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area spans over 3,000 square miles of Alamosa, Costilla, and Conejos Counties in Colorado and the main offices are located in the town of Alamosa. Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area explores the rich history and natural landscape of Colorado’s San Luis Valley. National Heritage Areas (NHA) are places where natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape arising from human activity shaped by geography.  These patterns make National Heritage Areas representative of the national experience through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in them.  These regions are acknowledged by Congress for their capacity to tell nationally important stories about our nation. NHAs promote greater public and private participation and partnership in historic preservation, education, outdoor recreation and conservation activities, which build a resource stewardship ethic for participants and the public. For more information on the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, please visit: Sangre Heritage – National Heritage Area

Description of Duties:

• Assist in researching information related to 10 historic properties within the NHA to nominate to the National Register of Historical Places (NR);
• Research and digitize historic information, files, photographs, archival documents related to historic properties for NR nominations;
• Research, organize, archive digital media and interpret information for future NHA use and promotion.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate, graduate level student, or recent graduate at an accredited university or college with coursework related to archiving, museum studies, history, education, or similar coursework.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of 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 National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Some experience with archiving and digitizing;
• Excellent organizational and detail-oriented skills;
• Strong research and writing;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Proficient in using Microsoft Office Programs (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc)

Additional Position and Community Information

• The Sangre de Cristo NHA is headquartered in Alamosa, Colorado. Alamosa is located in rural southwest Colorado, but has amenities like a grocery store, local lodging and restaurants, coffee shops and breweries, medical clinics and regional hospital, and is home to Adams State University. Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located 30 minutes outside of town and there are lots of local trails and hiking and camping opportunities.
• The Sangre de Cristo NHA encompasses 3 counties so travel within the NHA boundaries is a must and the steward will need a personal vehicle.
• Housing will not be provided by the host site.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956
• Living Allowance of $660.00 per week.
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

How to Apply:
Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions.  In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by 1/10/2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will close once filled.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Service Site Contact information: Alexandra Hernandez ; Alexandra_Hernandez@nps.gov
• Program Contact information: Ali Jones; ajones@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups 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.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Additional Details

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 functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks 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 program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• The steward will receive direct mentorship from the SdCNHA Executive Director.

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.

Salary : $660