Position Title: Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) AmeriCorps Member with Niobrara National Scenic River

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Niobrara National Scenic River
214 W. Highway 20; Valentine, NE 69201

Terms of Service: 18 weeks

• Start Date: 05/11/2026
• End Date: 09/11/2026
• Application Deadline: 04/05/2026
• Number of Positions Available: 1
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours
  
  

Stewards Individual Placements & Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) Initiative:
Stewards Individual Placements provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. The Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) initiative aims to increase access to the outdoors for all Americans.

Are you passionate about expanding access to public lands and creating welcoming outdoor experiences for all visitors? Do you believe everyone should have the opportunity to explore and enjoy our National Parks? Our health, our planet, and our collective future rely on variety – in thought, ability, experience, and ideas. Join the Youth Empowerment Stewards (YES) program and contribute to strengthening park operations and enhancing the visitor experience by helping to remove barriers to outdoor access—ensuring that our national parks remain open, accessible, and welcoming to all Americans.

Niobrara National Scenic River:
The Niobrara National Scenic River protects 76 miles of diverse geology, wildlife, and scenic beauty in north-central Nebraska. Its mission is to preserve these exceptional natural and recreational values while supporting responsible public use and partnering with local communities and landowners to ensure long-term stewardship of the river.

Role of YES Member at Niobrara National Scenic River:
The Youth Empowerment Steward (YES) AmeriCorps Member at Niobrara National Scenic River will support the “Niobrara 35 & America 250: Accessible Adventures” initiative, an environmental stewardship project focused on expanding access/usability, improving the visitor experience, and strengthening community partnerships. The selected YES Member will begin an assessment and offer ideas on a Universal Design plan for the Jim MacAllister Nature Trail at Smith Falls State Park, a partner site. This plan will assess current trail conditions, identify access barriers, and recommend improvements consistent with ADA standards and National Park Service guidance.

In addition to Universal Design planning, the YES member will contribute to adaptive recreation programming, including supporting the coordination and delivery of adaptive paddling clinics (canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding) for the general public and for veterans, as well as assisting with an adaptive fishing clinic.

Throughout the 18-week term, the YES Member will conduct field assessments, collect environmental and accessible data, create and update visitor-facing information, and assist with community outreach. This role will also collaborate closely with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, local veterans’ organizations, community groups, volunteers, and park staff to build strong local partnerships and support inclusive public programming. By improving physical access, interpretive programming, and community engagement, the YES member will help ensure that Niobrara National Scenic River’s 35th Anniversary and America 250 celebrations are welcoming and accessible for all visitors.

Description of Duties:

To achieve the goals of this YES position, the member will:

• · Lead the field assessment of the Jim MacAllister Nature Trail

o Document access barriers

o Measure trail features and evaluate/describe trail surfaces

o Identify and suggest locations for rest areas, signage, and improvements aligned with Universal Design principles

• · Assist in planning, preparing, and delivering adaptive paddling clinics

o Set-up adaptive equipment, support participant needs, assist with safety logistics

o Collaborate with local partners such as the Nebraska Game & Parks commission

o Provide outreach to local Veteran groups

o Gather evaluation information

• · Website improvements with expanded access information

o Review, update, and expand online visitor information

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Be between the ages of 18-30 (or up to age 35 with Veteran status)
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Able to commit to 18 weeks of service
• · Have a connection to the disability community

Preferred Qualifications and Skills

• · Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively
• · Bachelor’s degree (or the pursuit of a degree) in a relevant field (Parks & Rec., Recreation Therapy, Natural Resources and Wildlife Management, etc.)

Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday – Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break 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
• Training on ADA, ABA, and Universal Design concepts
• Training on field assessment techniques, GIS or mapping tools, as appropriate
• First Aid/CPR Training
• Adaptive paddling and adaptive fishing techniques as well as water safety procedures
• Training on Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)
  
  

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
• Living Allowance of $660 per week (pre-tax)
• · Access to all member and alumni benefits of Conservation Legacy
• · Opportunity to make a HUGE impact on your community
• · Service opportunities can help propel your career forward with intentional experience and professional connections

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.

Application, Resume and Cover Letter:
When uploading and attaching your resume to this application, please also upload and attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, please note your interest and qualifications in this position.

How to Apply:
To apply, please click on the green “apply” button in the top right corner of the page. In addition to uploading your resume to this application, please also upload and attach a cover letter. In your cover letter, please address your experience with the disability community.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:
Susie Schroer
Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator
sschroer@conservationlegacy.org
970-317-9131

We are 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.