Conservation Assistant Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Interpretive Program Member - Death Valley National Park
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Death Valley National Park, is seeking ONE Members to contribute to an interpretation project alongside NPS Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit the usaconservation website.
Estimated Start Date: Oct 19, 2026
Estimated End: May 22, 2027
A 31 week commitment required*
Location Details/Description:
Death Valley National Park is home to the hottest, driest, and lowest elevation in North America. Winters are relatively mild with warm days and cool to cold nights. During the summer, Death Valley is regularly one of the hottest places on Earth. Scotty's Castle is a unique historic site that tells part of Death Valley's history. Hidden in the green oasis of Grapevine Canyon in far northern Death Valley is Death Valley Ranch, famously known as "Scotty's Castle." This historic site offers a window into the life and times of the Roaring '20s and Depression '30s. It was and is an engineer's dream home, a wealthy matron's vacation home, and a man-of-mystery's hideout and getaway.
For more information about Death Valley National Park, please visit the National Park Service website.
Position Overview: These roles will work with permanent and seasonal National Park Service staff to provide quality visitor services and interpretation to visitors at Death Valley National Park and Scotty's Castle, in the North District of Death Valley- Furnace Creek, CA . Scotty's Castle and Grapevine Canyon are closed to the public, unless part of a ticketed tour. Conservation work is currently ongoing at the site. The ACE Members will assist the National Park Service with special interpretive programs at Scotty's Castle, and provide general visitor services and family programming at Furnace Creek. The members will be trained in all aspects of interpretive programming and visitor services, and how to make meaningful connections with the public including youth and their families.
Responsibilities and Duties will include:

• Visitor Services and Interpretation Duties
• Researching the park's history and resources, history on the NPS, the mission, and its evolution.
• Answer a wide variety of visitor questions and assist with trip planning at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center.
• Performing park operational duties such as opening/closing procedures.
• Researching and presenting public interpretive programs for families.
• Lead special interpretive tours in special access areas, such as Scotty's Castle.
• Roving the park independently and assisting visitors.
• Assist with Integrated Pest Management at Scotty's Castle
• Assist with environmental monitoring

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups throughout the park.
Schedule: This position will work Sunday through Wednesday, and every other Saturday on a 5/4/9 schedule (one week consists of four 9-hour days, and the other week consists of four 9-hour days and one 8-hour day). This position can expect to work holidays.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute Full time 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Reimbursements: Relocation Allowance up to $750; Project Travel Allowance up to $750
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online on our usaconservation website.
Housing: Housing is provided by NPS and is at no cost to the members. The member will be offered a private bedroom in a 8-bedroom dorm facility, only a 10 minute drive from the duty station. The dorms have shared living space, kitchen, and laundry.
Cell phones may work in housing but are sometimes unreliable (3G and extended network only). Satellite internet is available in the dorms. Due to the remote location and lack of public transportation to an area with grocery stores, it is required that the member have a personal vehicle. Amenities are very limited in the park. Closest major amenities (chain grocery stores, restaurants) are an hour outside of the park in the town of Pahrump, Nevada. Las Vegas, Nevada is two hours away, has a major airport and all the amenities and entertainment of a major city.
Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific National Park Service training may include register usage and troubleshooting, opening and closing procedure, site safety, interpretation, facilitative dialogue, Audience Centered Experience (ACE).
Qualifications
Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.

• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our .

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position will hold a college degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as history, humanities, conservation, outdoor education, or youth leadership.
• Experience with public speaking.
• Ability and willingness to work independently and a team setting.
• Deep interest in entering the public service field.
• Enthusiastic and Flexible demeanor
• Ability to work well in a team environment.

• Reliable mode of transportation such as a personal vehicle

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, talking, listening, and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various accessibility equipment, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, bend, squat and/or crouch. Hiking can be on uneven terrain, and may be required in extreme wind, cold and heat, and rain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Must be able to lift up to 20 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and medium to heavy traffic.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat, rocky terrain conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.
Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position at the usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Bee Garcia, Western Member Manager.
If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.