Visitor Services and Education Technicians (BLM, Piedras Blancas Light Station)

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with the Bureau of Land Management at Piedras Blancas Light Station in San Simeon, CA, is recruiting 2 AmeriCorps members to serve as Visitor Services and Education Technicians.  Under the direction of the BLM, the selected candidates will support the light station’s operations with daily interpretive tours, maintain trails, and minor maintenance of the Piedras Blancas Light Station.

Members will support Piedras Blancas Outstanding Natural area by serving with BLM staff on a variety of projects and goals. These placement opportunities open the door in the fields of cultural resource management, visitor services, interpretation, and other public land management projects to foster professional growth in public land management disciplines. The members will be provided with opportunities to expand their skillsets in natural and cultural resource management and gain valuable insight from working side-by-side with BLM’s resource professionals. 

AmeriCorps members will be on site at the Piedras Blancas Light Station and Outstanding Natural Area (ONA) in San Simeon, CA, but may participate on interpretive projects at public outreach events at other locations within San Luis Obispo County. Placements will also attend meetings and/or trainings at the BLM field office in Bakersfield, CA, and may travel to other BLM sites as needed. 

The successful youth applicants will assist the Piedras Blancas Light Station Staff with the day to day operations of the Light Station. This opportunity is multi-faceted, adaptable, and geared at supporting the maintenance, interpretation, and restoration of the Piedras Blancas Light Station and its surrounding landscape. 

Members will fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Assist with and lead public tours, support/provide field trips with youth, public outreach, and organizing and leading volunteer groups on projects;
• Help with small to large maintenance projects including, but not limited to, painting, repairing windows, trail maintenance, sign repair, etc;
• Regularly assist with buildings and grounds maintenance/cleaning;
• Assist BLM staff with administrative operations (i.e. communication with the public via phone, email, and face to face, and outreach material); and
• Utilize hand tools to remove invasive plant species.

Timeline:

• May Start Date, 18 Week duration; 675 hour AmeriCorp Term
• Full time (40 hours/week);
• Schedule: Generally Tue-Sat, 8am to 4:30pm

Location:

The Piedras Blancas Light Station is fairly isolated. It is approximately 9 miles north of the town of San Simeon, which is mostly hotels, and a post office. This is usually as far north as any pizza delivery is willing to come. The weather can be variable. Plan on some warm beachy days, but also lots of fog and cold wind. The town of Cambria is approximately 15 miles (20ish minutes) south, and has a grocery store (the Cookie Crock), restaurants, etc. Most of the town is closed by 8pm.  Cookie Crock's produce is reasonably priced, but the rest of their groceries can be spendy. Gas in Cambria is a bit expensive, and if you can plan your travels, you want to get gas in Morro Bay or in the Paso Robles/Atascadero area. Cambria hosts a farmer's market on Fridays 3-5pm, and there are other farmers' markets throughout San Luis Obispo County almost every day of the week. The Thursday night farmers market in downtown San Luis Obispo aka SLO (pronounced "slow") is one of the largest in the country, and can be a scene as much as a farmers market. Morro Bay is approx. 30 minutes south of Cambria and has an Albertson's and Sunshine Healthfoods as well as the best viewing of CA sea otters. SLO has a Grocery Outlet, Food Max, Trader Joe's, and Costco for cheaper groceries. SLO is the largest city in the county, and is very much a college town with great music stores, a good bookstore, live music venues, etc. 

Compensation and Benefits:

Living Allowance: approximately $~400 weekly (before taxes); up to a total of $7,200 depending on the length of term;

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: 675 Hour term; $2817.14, for 18 week appointment (Upon successful completion, the award may be used for past, present, or future educational expenses, including payment of qualifying federal student loans and Title IV accredited college tuition).

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Access to Prodeals;

Housing: Onsite housing provided at no cost; shared house with full kitchen, washer and dryer, shared bathroom. 

Segal Education Award:

After successfully completing an AmeriCorps term of service members are eligible to receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. Award varies based on term of service. You can use the award to repay qualified student loans and to pay current educational expenses at eligible institutions of higher education and training programs.

 Student Loan Forbearance:

If you are currently paying on any federal student loans you have the option to put those loans into forbearance during your time as an AmeriCorps volunteer, that will allow you to cease payments while serving.

Interest Accrual Repayment:

As an AmeriCorps alum, you are eligible to have the National Service Trust pay all or a portion of the interest that accumulated on your qualified student loan(s) during your term of service. These payments are made in addition to the Education Award, and are not deducted from your Education Award balance. To be eligible to have accrued interest paid: The loan must have been placed in forbearance for the service period, and you must have successfully completed a term of service and received an Education Award.

 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Eligibility:

AmeriCorps Volunteers qualify for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Required:

(This AmeriCorps position is open to US Citizens, Nationals, or Permanent Residents age 17 or older)

• Bachelor’s degree in natural resources, education, or related discipline, or a combination of relevant education and field experience;
• must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record;
• AmeriCorps eligibility requirements: (1) U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status, (2) eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award (limited to earning equivalent of two full-time education awards), (3) pass National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW) name search and federal criminal background check, (4) adhere to the rules, regulations and code of conduct as specified in the Member Service Agreement; and (5) not engage in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Preferred: 

• Enthusiasm about the position, with interest in and knowledge of botany and invasive species;
• excellent organizational skills;
• experience with data entry and QA/QC procedures; and
• reliable, team-player with strong leadership and communication skills. 

How to Apply: 

Please apply online through this application link by submitting an up-to-date resume, one page cover letter that details your interest in the position, and any qualifications not fully described in your resume, contact information for three professional and/or academic references. Be sure to complete any preliminary questions prompted in the application and sign your application.

NOTE:  This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Disclaimer: Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice.