Interpretation Members - Jewel Cave National Monument

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Jewel Cave National Monument, is seeking two Members to contribute to interpretive projects alongside NPS Staff.

 

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

 

We are seeking 2 members, one for each start date:

Start Date 1: October 18th, 2026

Estimated End Date 1: April 10th, 2027

*a 25-week minimum commitment is required *

Start Date 2: December 13th, 2026

Estimated End Date 2: June 5th, 2027

*a 25-week minimum commitment is required *

 

Location Details/Description: Jewel Cave National Monument is located east of Custer, South Dakota in the beautiful Black Hills. Custer, which is a town of about 2,000 people, has a variety of restaurants and one grocery store as well as a small market. More amenities are available in Rapid City approximately one hour away such as an airport and more shopping facilities. On-site furnished housing at Jewel Cave is available for the selectee.

For more information about Jewel Cave National Monument, please visit the NPS website.

 

Position Overview: Interpretive Members will get to interpret a variety of themes while leading two different cave tours: the one hour and twenty-minute Scenic Tour, and twenty-minute Discovery Tour to the visiting public as well as the occasional field trip. You will also assist with visitor center operations by opening and closing the visitor center and staffing the front desk. Behind the scenes you will get to schedule social media posts, lead distance learning education programs, and conduct classroom visits to local schools.

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.

 

Schedule: Members will serve either Tuesday-Saturday, 8:15 am to 4:45 pm or Monday-Friday, 8:15 am to 4:45 pm.

 

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility Requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: Housing is provided by the park at no additional cost to the member.

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.

 

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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.
• Driving is preferred, but not required. If driving applicant: A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements. If non-driver applicant: A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement..
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as history, geology, biology, education.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, social media platforms, and experience doing public speaking.
• Interacting with the public presenting interpretive programs to a variety of audiences.
• Experience with youth programming.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, going up and down over 700 stairs multiple times a day, hiking on occasion. Manual dexterity required for computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: On occasion moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: While the work environment conditions are constant in the visitor center and cave (49 degrees all year), outdoors can change frequently and winters can be very cold, with overnight lows on occasion reaching -20 degrees Fahrenheit and there being many feet of snow on the ground.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

 

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland 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 site. 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 site 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 ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Senior Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso.

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.