Job Listing
🔗Discovery Programs Manager
Website Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area
The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area conserves, interprets, and promotes forest heritage to enhance landscapes and communities in the highlands of West Virginia and Maryland. AFNHA works with partners to accomplish this through community development, conservation, celebrating cultural heritage, and creating opportunities for transformational experiences. AFNHA is a member of the National Heritage Area System. To learn more, see www.appalachianforestnha.org.
Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA) is seeking a Full-Time Discovery Programs Manager (DPM) to manage multiple AFNHA programs or parts thereof. This position is available immediately.
Who we are:
Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area works with partners in 18 counties of West Virginia and western Maryland in support of forest heritage, including conservation, cultural heritage, community development, and tourism. To learn more see https://www.appalachianforestnha.org/
What are we looking for?
We are looking for a capable professional to manage our Discovery Programs. Strong organization skills, communications, and self-direction will be expected. Duties will include planning and organizing programs, scheduling and supervising AmeriCorps members or program staff as applicable, and working as a team with the rest of the AFNHA staff to implement the program activities as needed. This position is a full time, benefitted position, based in Elkins, West Virginia. Weekend work and travel will be required periodically. The DPM reports to the Executive and Deputy Directors as necessary.
Current and developing programs that will be within the purview of this position may include, but are not limited to:
Appalachian Forest Discovery Center (AFDC) – The DPM will be the main point of contact and manager for the AFDC including any AmeriCorps Members or staff assigned directly to the site. The DPM will work with the Interpretation Committee on programming at that location. The DPM will also manage the Darden Mill, the home of the AFDC.
AF Discovery Sites – The DPM will help develop and make available training resources, activities, events, and connections in particular focal areas pertinent to AFNHA’s Mission and Vision for applicable AF Discovery Sites region.
Responsibilities:
This position is a mid-level position to manage multiple programs/projects for AFNHA as developed. Specific duties include, but are not limited to:
Manage the goals and objectives of each program under their direction, or as part of the team, to maintain excellent results for the program, and support best practices in the heritage field, for participants, beneficiaries, and organization as a whole.
Support the development and implementation of program guidelines, budgets, and planning with the AFNHA team as needed on behalf of their assigned programs.
Collect and report on outputs and outcomes as required by each program, funder, and Board of Directors.
Work with our Communications team to provide excellent marketing and outreach for the benefit of each program and its beneficiaries under their direction
Manage the historic Darden Mill, home of the AFDC including its maintenance and repairs, historic preservation, needs assessments, tenant affairs and other assorted duties as assigned.
Support AFNHA generally by attending staff and Board meetings, providing outreach to the public about AFNHA, and supporting the rest of AFNHA’s programs and staff as needed.
Skills and Job Qualifications:
Training will be provided in all program and functional categories both in-house and externally. It is expected that the applicant will come to the position with significant skill sets and experience in basic areas of management, administration, organization, communication, and supervision.
Bachelor’s Degree or greater with two-year experience related to the position. Education or significant experience in:
Public History, Cultural Resource Management, Museum Studies, Interpretation, Environmental Education, or equivalent (Preferred)
Non-profit Management
Other degrees in related fields
Experience and willingness to conduct outreach and build relationships with multiple partners, including in-person (with travel), zoom and phone, and email communications.
Demonstrated experience with common office resources including:
Strong general computer skills
Understanding of basic IT troubleshooting and networking
All Microsoft Office Products and corresponding Google Products
Database applications including Past Perfect or other collections management software
Communications such as email, texting, IP Telephony
Printers, Copiers, Scanners and other standard office equipment
3 years experience in interpretation, exhibit design, archives/collections, writing, editing, and/or graphic design preferred
ARCGIS experience is a plus
Motivated team player
Strong and demonstrated organizer for programs or projects
Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
Proven ability to work collaboratively with volunteers and diverse groups across the community
Familiarity with AFNHA region, or if from elsewhere, motivation to become familiar with and engage with our rural communities
Reliable transportation for all season mountain driving and a clean driving record
Ability to pass a preliminary criminal background check according to the needs of the programs.
This position reports to the Executive Director and works closely with our Interpretation Committee.
Timeline: Applications are being accepted immediately until the position is filled.
Compensation and Benefits:
Salary: $40,000+ negotiable depending on demonstrable experience
Paid federal holidays off
Two weeks paid time off per year accumulating after the first 90 days of employment
Matching Retirement benefits available after the first year of employment.
Health Savings Account contributions available after first year of employment
Professional development and training opportunities
To Apply: logan@afnha.org
Please send a full resume, contact info for three personal references, and a cover letter stating why you would be an ideal candidate for this position, earliest available date, and desired salary.
We will be contacting current and previous employers. If you desire that we don’t contact your current employer, please state so in your cover letter and resume.
For more information on AFNHA and its programs please see www.appalachianforestnha.org
Logan Smith
Executive Director
logan@afnha.org
304-636-6182
AFNHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Benefits
All NCPE interns received an hourly stipend, the rate is listed at each position description. Additionally, interns receive paid time off (PTO), paid Federal holidays if working full-time, and access to NCPE's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for career and personal counseling, coaching, and referrals. Project sites may also offer a housing allowance and/or commuting stipend; this information is also listed in the description or offered during the interview.
Eligible NCPE interns who successfully complete their internships may count their position towards earning a Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-Competitive Hiring Authority certificate. To be eligible to earn a PLC certificate, an intern must be 30 years old or younger (or 35 if a veteran). Once earned, the PLC hiring authority certificate may be used to apply for eligible Federal temporary, term, or permanent positions. Successful completion of a NCPE internship does not guarantee Federal employment. Contact manager@preservenet.org for more details.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be
*at least 18 years old;
*no older than 30 years of age (or 35 years if a Veteran) when beginning the internship; applicants who are 31 or older (or 36 or older if a Veteran) are not eligible;
*currently enrolled in a degree-seeking academic program at the college level (or recently graduated within the past 12 months)
*be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident.
Interns are not allowed to work more than 1200 hours total in the program; previous interns must stay within this overall limit. The length of an internship can vary from 10 to 30 weeks if full-time (40 hours per week) or longer if on a part-time schedule. If selected, the exact starting date will be determined by you and the NPS supervisor. The stipend rate is $17.00 per hour unless otherwise listed.
The successful candidate is responsible for finding and paying for travel to and housing at the internship location; some exceptions apply. The supervising office may be able to assist in locating housing but it is ultimately up to the individual accepting the internship to find accommodation.
The National Council requires all interns working in-person at Federal facilities and/or with Federal employees receive the Covid-19 vaccination. Please be advised that you may also be required to wear a mask, depending on the protocols adopted by your work site. Also be aware that, due to Government-wide security requirements, a background check will be required if you are selected for a position. This will include providing information about recent housing and employment history. The position supervisor will have more information about these requirements and procedures at the time of hiring. You may direct any questions to NCPE's Internship Program Director, Julee Johnson, at manager@preservenet.org.
Please note that interns are not NCPE or NPS employees. Stipends are academic awards and taxes are not withheld, nor are social security contributions made on your behalf. These funds may be taxable, however, so consult a tax preparation professional if you have questions.
How to Apply
You may review NCPE's internship opportunities anytime without registering. Use the search function to find listings by location, keyword, or area of interest/category. Once you identify one or more positions of interest, there is a 3-step application process.
Step 1: Click on the Apply for Job button, then select Universal Application. Click on Register to create a User Account, which requires a username and email. A link will be sent to you from manager@preservenet.org to create a password. We suggest that you add this email to your safe senders list so you don't miss receiving this important link. You will be instructed to Log In to Preservenet using your username or email and password, which will take you back to the Universal Application.
Step 2: The Universal Application is required to apply for all NCPE internships. You fill out this form only once. In addition to contact information, educational status, work history, and experience, it requires two attachments: (1) the 2 most recent years of academic transcripts. These may be unofficial transcripts if official versions are unavailable. A PDF is preferred, labeled Your Your Last Name_Your First Name_Transcript. (2) a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). Please limit to a maximum of 4 pages; 2 pages are preferred. A PDF is preferred but jpg, png, doc, or docx file types are accepted. Label Your Last Name_Your First Name_Resume. This form may be saved as a draft and completed later. Use the link provided to return to the form.
Step 3: Once you submit the Universal Application, you may browse and apply for NCPE internships using the link provided. Complete the application process by clicking on the Apply for job button found at each internship listing and upload the required Essay. Use the essay to explain why you are applying for an internship, including how your interest areas will benefit the National Park Service (NPS) and how the internship will further your studies and career goals. Be as specific as possible; there is a 400-word maximum length. Submit the essay to finish the application for that position. You may apply for a maximum of 6 internships during an application round; there is no limit at other times of the year. DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!
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