Summer opportunities for your students with Montana State Parks

Montana State Parks is pleased to announce that we are currently recruiting for 7 AmeriCorps National Service Members and would appreciate your aid in helping to spread the word.

This opportunity will take place amid the natural wonders and rich cultural heritage of Montana State Parks and these members will complete projects that have lasting impacts which benefit both the parks and the communities where they exist. Whether they are teaching kids about nature or history, or organizing a group of volunteers for a tree planting project; our members lead the way in our communities by exhibiting stewardship principles and a strong conservation ethic through hands on engagement.

The positions we are currently recruiting for the summer of 2017 are:

Individuals serving with our program will complete 675 hours (4 months) to 900 hours (5 months), and will receive biweekly living allowance and a Segal Education Award of $2,200.00 (675 hours) to $2887.50 (900 hours) upon successful completion of a term of service. The Segal Education Award can be used towards college tuition, paying off student loans, or for Members who are 55 years or older can transfer the Education Award to a child, grandchild or foster child. All Montana State Parks AmeriCorps members will receive a modest living allowance and are also eligible to place their student loans in deferment during the term of service. Members beginning in April will also receive valuable trainings such as a Certified Interpretive Guide certification; and all members are eligible to be trained in Heart-saver First Aid/CPR/AED; Volunteer Management in Montana State Parks; Traditional (Native) Games Training. Members will also receive specific trainings based on the site needs that may include trail skills, weed pesticide application, and GIS/GPS inventory techniques, and many other site or program specific trainings.

To qualify, members must be a legal U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident who is at least 18 years old and has a high school diploma or GED, though some college experience is preferred. These positions are filled on a rolling basis, so early application is encouraged. Applications are accepted through March 26^th, 2017.

To learn more about our program, application instructions, please visit: http://stateparks.mt.gov/americorps/

One final note, here is a testimonial from one of our past members.

“As a Montana State Park AmeriCorps member, I grew professionally and personally, realizing the importance of providing new experiences to help improve the way of life for the local community members through programs at Montana State Parks. Through my time as an AmeriCorps member, a lot of new opportunities opened for me. This program enabled me to develop a business based on team building programs that have expanded beyond Montana State Parks, and positioned me to transition into my professional career at Indiana University - Bloomington, as a Professional Outdoor Instructor. In addition, I did something I never thought I would do; I applied to graduate school because of the education award that is given to AmeriCorps members at the end of their term of service. Hands down, becoming an AmeriCorps member has been the most rewarding experience of my life, professionally and personally.”

- Jake Edmondson, B.S. in Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management from Penn State University, 2016 Montana State Parks AmeriCorps Member

We appreciate your help.

Joe Naiman-Sessions

AmeriCorps Program Coordinator

Montana State Parks

1420 E. 6th

Helena, MT 59601

P: (406) 444-5275

C: (406) 439-8050

jnaiman-sessions@mt.gov