Posted:
Friday, 13 March 2026
Valid Thru:
Sunday, 12 April 2026
Index Requested on:
03/13/2026 21:03:22
Indexed on:
03/13/2026 21:03:22
Location: Luray, VA, 22835, US
Industry:
Communications
Occupational Category:
45-0000.00 - Farming, Fishing, and Forestry
Type of Employment: FULL_TIME
Conservation Legacy is hiring!
Description:
Title: SAR Volunteer Program Individual Placement
Service Site: Shenandoah National Park, Luray, VA
Dates of Service: May 18th, 2026 – August 3rd, 2026 (10 weeks)
Pay: $800/week paid biweekly ($600/week living stipend + $200 additional member benefit)
Status: This is a full-time 40 hour/week, temporary AmeriCorps National Service position.
Please submit a resume and cover letter via our website, www.appalachiancc.org/individualplacements. Applications will be accepted until March 30th.
Appalachian Conservation Corps:
Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.
As an AmeriCorps program, participants commit to a term of service at their placement site in order to gain hands-on experience and a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.
Position Summary:
Shenandoah National Park welcomes 1.5 million visitors each year to hike trails leading through forested hollows, along rocky ridges, and beside cascading waterfalls. Unfortunately, some of these visitors encounter injuries or become lost among the 500 miles of trails. A dedicated team of Rangers and volunteers, SHENSAR, come to the aid in these challenging circumstances. Shenandoah National Park collaborates with several volunteer organizations and dozens of individual volunteers to respond to carry-outs and searches. Volunteers are critical to ensure a rapid response time, hasty carry outs, and combating fatigue.
A strong volunteer team requires training, coordination, and oversight. The Volunteer Program Assistant- Search and Rescue Program will help SHENSAR volunteers gain experience and confidence before emergencies arise by leading Preventative Search and Rescue (PSAR) Patrols, coordinating training and patrols, facilitating administrative tasks, providing guidance on incidents, and liaising between NPS Staff and volunteers. The Volunteer Program Assistant will also be a valued member of the SHENSAR team responding to incidents.
This position will report to the Lead Preventative Search and Rescue Ranger and will work closely with the Volunteer and Youth Program Manager. They will work on a flexible schedule, primarily scheduled to work between Thursday and Monday.
Main Responsibilities:
Schedule and lead PSAR Volunteer Patrols
Ensure that all PSAR volunteers are adhering to administrative requirements prior to service and on incidents
Ensure PSAR volunteers have access to required safety equipment, communication tools (radios), and uniforms
Contribute to PSAR- Volunteer specific safety plan development
Assist in coordinating volunteer trainings including BSART, CPR First Aid, Radio, Operational Leadership
Act as volunteer liaison on incidents by ensuring volunteers sign in to paperwork, follow-up after incidents
Assist NPS teams with outreach by attending community and special park events representing the SHEN PSAR team
IPs receive formal training in SHENSAR operations, NPS Volunteer Program Management, visitor communication, and working in a team atmosphere. Additional training and professional development opportunities may also be available. If you love helping people, spending time outside, and building community, this position is incredibly rewarding.
General Qualifications:
To qualify, you must be between the ages of 18 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. In addition, applicants must:
Possess a valid driver’s license
Desired Skills/Qualifications:
First aid or EMS certification
Search and Rescue Team experience
Professionalism and good interpersonal communication skills
Interest in pursuing a career with a public land management agency
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Essential Service Functions:
Heavy lifting up to 50 pounds
Walking and working on steep or uneven terrain
Carrying a 40lb backpack up to 10 miles
Occasionally working in adverse weather conditions
Familiarity with Excel and Microsoft office products
Time Requirements:
Educational requirements:
Desired Skills:
Please see the job description for required or recommended skills.
Benefits:
Please see the job description for benefits.