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Community Volunteer Ambassador - Zion National Park

Stewards Individual Placement Program
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PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2025-fall-co Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references.

Position Title: Community Volunteer Ambassador, Zion National Park - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 1 Zion Park Blvd, Springdale, UT 84767

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by June 13, 2025

Terms of Service:

  • Start Date: September 8, 2025
  • End Date: August 7, 2026
  • AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements, a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) Program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service to train emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to communities.

 

Located in Washington, Iron, and Kane Counties in southwestern Utah, Zion National Park (est. 1919) encompasses some of the most scenic canyon country in the United States. Within its 232 square miles are high plateaus, a maze of narrow, deep, sandstone canyons, and the Virgin River and its tributaries. Zion also has 2,000-foot Navajo Sandstone cliffs, pine- and juniper-clad slopes, and seeps, springs, and waterfalls supporting lush and colorful hanging gardens.

With an elevation change of about 5,000 feet-from the highest point at Horse Ranch Mountain (at 8,726 feet) to the lowest point at Coal Pits Wash (at 3,666 feet), Zion's diverse topography leads to a diversity of habitats and species. Desert, riparian (riverbank), pinyon-juniper, and conifer woodland communities all contribute to Zion's diversity.

The geologic formations of Zion--formed over approximately 250 million years--record periods of time when this area was covered by a shallow sea; when huge, sluggish rivers, bordered by swamplands, meandered across the landscape; and when a vast desert--perhaps the largest on the planet--covered the region. The sand dunes of this desert are now Zion's famous sculpted and colorful 2,000-foot cliffs.

The heart of Zion National Park is a secluded canyon that lies amidst this striking landscape. It includes lands originally protected by Mukuntuweap National Monument (est. 1909) and Zion National Monument (est. 1918). The soaring sandstone cliffs, the deep ravines, and the seemingly hidden river valleys have been important to both Indigenous people and European American settlers for thousands of years.

Since 2010, ZION has witnessed a steep increase in visitation. The number of visits has risen from about 2.6 million to a peak of more than 5 million – this is an increase of about 90%. Zion National Park is among a small group of national park areas to ever exceed 5 million annual visits. In 2024, ZION was the second-most visited National Park, with 4.94 million recreational visitors. Volunteers assist park efforts to meet the needs of visitors.

Zion National Park Volunteers-in-Parks Program:

The Volunteers-in-Parks (VIP) Program at Zion National Park hosted 121 recurring position volunteers and 308 volunteers as part of 26 group events in fiscal year 2024. These volunteers served over 19,500 hours and made connections with over 105,000 ZION visitors. Most of ZION’s recurring volunteers are retirees who commute from the local community and serve for 5 or more years.

At ZION, volunteers support operations for all park divisions. Volunteers can be found at the Zion Canyon and Kolob Canyons Visitor Centers, on the trails, on the roadways talking to visiting cyclists, at the plant nursery, at Junior Ranger tables, and at the campgrounds. Volunteers help protect ZION’s natural and cultural resources by monitoring for California Condors, assisting with collaring and camera trapping initiatives, removing invasive species, removing graffiti, and monitoring cultural sites. The Volunteer Office also manages the Artist-in-Residence Program that welcomes artists for month long residencies.

Springdale, UT is the gateway community of ZION’s South Entrance. The Town is heavily involved in volunteering. However, there are a significant number of volunteers who commute from the surrounding towns and cities, including Rockville, Virgin, La Verkin, Hurricane, St. George, Kanab, Toquerville, New Harmony, and Cedar City. Most volunteers serve in Zion Canyon (the “Main Canyon”), but Kolob Canyons  (the northwest corner of the park) also has dedicated volunteers. Once construction is completed, the East Zion Discovery Center will also have its own volunteers.

The CVA position at Zion National Park is intended to foster a life-long interest in supporting volunteerism and community action in the National Park Service and in general. The CVA will be involved in all aspects of the Volunteer-In-Parks Program - from recruiting, to training, to hosting one-time group volunteer events, to getting to know volunteers who have served at Zion National Park for a week or for twenty years.

Description of Duties:

  • As part of the Volunteer Office, the CVA will work to support, enhance, and grow the Volunteers-In-Parks Program at Zion National Park.
  • The CVA will expand and leverage relationships with community partners, universities, and businesses through volunteer opportunities.
  • The CVA will be in frequent communication with recurring volunteers in-person, via email, and over the phone.
  • The CVA will answer public inquiries about the Volunteers-in-Parks Program and the Artist-in-Residence Program.
  • Through training and support, the CVA will be empowered to act independently in planning, coordinating, and executing volunteer projects and service work.
  • The CVA would serve as a lead in planning and hosting group events. These include one day events (ex. A half-day project with a local business) and multi-day projects (ex. Alternative Spring Break volunteer service groups from a university). These events will also include national days of service such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, 9/11 Day of Remembrance, and National Public Lands Day.
  • The CVA will plan and lead monthly graffiti removal projects with the Litter & Graffiti Buster volunteers.
  • The CVA will assist with planning and hosting formal and informal recognition opportunities for volunteers, such as picnics, ice cream socials, and the annual awards luncheon.
  • The CVA will assist with Volunteer Program recruitment efforts in person and online via emails, social media, and Volunteer.gov. The CVA may also participate in interviews for potential volunteers.
  • The CVA will assist with social media posts regarding volunteerism, such during National Volunteer Week.
  • The CVA will be a part of position and safety training for recurring and one-time volunteers doing new tasks, such as removing graffiti, roving trails, and planting native plants within Zion National Park. The CVA will assist in leading annual new volunteer orientation. After becoming a Leave No Trace Instructor, the CVA may certify volunteers in Leave No Trace 101.
  • The CVA will assist with the operations of the Artist-in-Residence Program. This will include sitting on the applicant judging panel, interviewing applicants, and advertising the Program on social media. The CVA will also be a resource for the artists during their residency and assist with planning public events.
  • The CVA will assist with a variety of administrative tasks including updating Volunteer Service Agreements, Service Descriptions, Risk Assessments, and Standard Operating Procedures, monthly volunteer hours data collection and annual reporting data collection.
  • The CVA will evaluate and participate in long-term planning for the ZION Volunteer Program, including the finalizing and implementation of updated Local Policy.
  • The CVA will assist with the management and distribution of volunteer uniform cache items.
  • The CVA will produce the bi-monthly volunteer newsletter, the Volunteer Vignette. The CVA will also assist with ZION VIP Weekly Update emails to all volunteers.
  • The CVA will participate as part of the ZION Graffiti Committee and submit graffiti incident reports from volunteers.
  • The CVA may plan and host CVA Retreat(s) at ZION. Several of ZION’s recent CVAs have hosted CVA Retreats, and they will continue to be supported by the Volunteer Office.
  • The CVA will take an active role in fostering their own professional growth and development by participating in instructional courses, online trainings, and shadowing opportunities with the large number of staff at Zion National Park.

 

Qualifications:

  • Driving: Driving government-owned vehicles is a requirement of this position, individuals must be 21 years old to drive government vehicles. Must have a valid driver's license. A personal vehicle is not required but is preferred due to the remoteness of various regions of Zion National Park.
  • Education: No higher education is required. Must have high school diploma, GED, or equivalent certificate.
  • Personality: This position requires a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, an ability to positively interact with volunteers and the visiting public, and a dedication to the safety, health, and wellness of the volunteers in the Volunteers-In-Parks program. CVAs be able to work independently and as part of a team, be detail-orientated, and be able to dependably collaborate with staff, volunteers, and partners.
  • Must be willing to work indoors at a desk for long periods.
  • Must be willing to work outdoors. This position requires physical labor and hiking on uneven surfaces in the hot desert Southwest.
  • Basic office skills (Microsoft software, basic databases and spreadsheets, printing).
  • United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
  • 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 a National Service Criminal History Check.

 Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Local applicants are highly encouraged to apply, especially those in commuting distance (Springdale, Rockville, Virgin, La Verkin, Hurricane, St. George, Kanab, Tocqueville, New Harmony, and Cedar City).
  • No higher education is required, but a bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred.
  • Public speaking skills and/or experience interacting with the public.
  • Effective communication skills, verbal and written.
  • Ability to conduct a variety of unglamorous administrative tasks.
  • Experience with planning, scheduling, and coordinating large or small events.
  • Experience with supporting or building community between individuals or organizations.
  • Excellent time management skills and problem-solving abilities.
  • Previous personal volunteering experience or professional experience working with volunteers.

 

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 40 hours 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 training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
  • Week-long, in-person training on NPS volunteer program management and leadership skills.
  • Year-long continuum of learning supporting professional development
  • $1,200 in Professional Development Funds 

 

Additional Position and Community Information

  • The schedule of the CVA will include consistent weekend work (Tuesdays-Saturdays) and occasional evening work.
  • The position is relatively remote; driver's license is required. A personal vehicle is not required but is highly recommended. The nearest (reasonably priced) grocery stores and gas stations are a 30-minute drive away.
  • Housing is provided at no cost to the CVA. The housing is in a dormitory building within Zion National Park. The rooms are private with shared bathrooms, indoor living area, large kitchen, and outdoor space. The dormitory is a less than 5-minute walk from the CVA's office space.
  • Zion National Park hosts many other internship programs, and our CVA would be part of our larger intern community. In 2024, there were over 70 interns during the summer season working in all areas of Zion. There will be opportunities for group trainings and field trips.
  • Zion National Park has close working relationships with Cedar Breaks National Monument (UT) and Pipe Spring National Monument (AZ). There may be opportunities to collaborate with these nearby National Park Service neighbors.
  • Zion National Park is one of 5 National Parks in Utah. There is also Bryce Canyon, Capital Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks, all in southern Utah. Countless city, state, and national recreational sites exist in the surrounding area.
  • Zion National Park is 3 hours from Las Vegas Harry Reid International Airport and 1 hour from St. George Regional Airport.

 

 

 

Benefits: 

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00
  • Living Allowance of $600 per week.
  • Additional Benefit of $150 per week, if housing is not provided
  • Healthcare Coverage if Eligible 
  • Childcare Coverage if Eligible
  • Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
  • Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
  • $1,200 in Professional Development Funds for training, networking, conferences, and/or travel
  • Networking opportunities within the National Park Service and partnering organizations
  • Public Land Corps Hiring Authority
  • Week-long in-person training at NPS site with travel/meal expenses covered.

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.

How to Apply
Please visit Community Volunteer Ambassador (cvainternships.org) to review “Member Positions” by region and find instructions on how to apply. 

 

The CVA position will start on Monday, September 8, 2025 and run for 48 weeks until Friday, August 7, 2026.

 

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will need to apply here: https://form.jotform.com/StewardsIPP/cva-member-application-2025-fall-co.  Application form requires a resume, cover letter, professional references. 

 

Please ensure your cover letter addresses how your experience aligns with the CVA program, your experience working with different populations, and position details for this park/position. You may submit one application for multiple positions by selecting all sites you are interested in.

 

 

 

Application Timeline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. First review will occur in early June. Final deadline is Friday, July 4, 2025.

 

 

For Application Questions:

Please contact James Gasaway, Program Director at jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org 

 

Conservation 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.