Be an Anacostia River Trail Ranger

The Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA) and the National Park Service (NPS) are jointly offering four 12-week paid internships for Summer 2017.

JOB OVERVIEW:

The interns, known as the Anacostia River Trail Rangers, will be responsible for encouraging positive use of the newly extended Anacostia River Trail through:

• Maintaining a daily trail presence,
• Monitoring trail upkeep,
• Offering trail user assistance,
• Promoting the trail at Anacostia Park and neighborhood events,
• Way finding,
• Leading bicycle tours.  

Anacostia River Trail Rangers act as trail ambassadors, (using a bicycle provided by WABA) offering a consistent and friendly presence on the Anacostia River Trail and its feeder routes.

Roles & Responsibilities include:

• Reporting to the WABA Trail Ranger supervisor,
• Spending the majority of your work hours outside, biking on or between trails.
• Working in shifts with a partner riding bikes at a relaxed, conversational pace, up to 25 miles in an 8 hour shift,
• Supporting and encouraging trail use with friendly and helpful trail presence,
• Developing and maintaining  relationships with regular trail users and community members,
• Bringing new users to the trail through community outreach and engagement,
• Planning and leading cleanup days and community events alongside the program coordinator,
• Performing inspections of trail conditions and maintenance of trail corridors including pruning
• branches, gathering trash, removing obstructions and clearing debris,
• Regular reporting on daily trail conditions, needs, and trends.
• Working with NPS Ranger staff to help interpret and promote the trail.
• Working at Anacostia Park to help disseminate information about the Anacostia River Trail.

Qualifications:  

• A proven track record and enthusiasm for working within a team.
• A proven track record for being dependable, timely and communicative.
• The ability to be positive, engaging and approachable in a public setting.
• The ability to thrive in a day-to-day self-directed, self-supervised work environment.
• The ability to ride a bike up to 30 miles in mixed city traffic and off street trails pulling an up to 40 lb trailer.
• The ability to lift up to 30 lbs.
• A commitment to being a safe and exemplary bicyclist.
• A commitment to respect, include, and be kind to all.
• Creative problem-solving skills and capacity to innovate.
• The ability to organize time wisely and juggle multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of the principles of safe bicycling.
• Preferred but not required: Competence with basic bicycle maintenance including patching a flat tire and adjusting brakes.

Pay and Benefits:

• Stipend of $243.00  per week for 12 weeks (weekly work hours will range between 15 and 25 hours per week.)
• Training: Funds available for professional development training
• $1,527 AmeriCorps Segal Education Award to be given at conclusion of service.

About the National Park Service (NPS): Since 1916, the NPS has been entrusted with the care of our national parks.  With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year.  But our work doesn't stop there.  We are proud that local governments, non-profit organizations, businesses, and ordinary citizens across the country ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, celebrating local heritage, and providing close to home outdoor recreational opportunities for all.   For more information about NPS, go to www.nps.gov

About the Washington Area Bicyclists Association (WABA): WABA's mission is to create a healthy, more livable region by promoting bicycling for fun, fitness, and affordable transportation; advocating for better bicycling conditions and transportation choices for a healthier environment, and educating children, adults, and motorists about safe bicycling.  For more information about WABA, go to www.waba.org

To apply: Email resume, a brief introduction of yourself and the answers to the following questions to [email protected]. No formal cover letter required. No calls, please.

Question 1: Can you presently ride a bicycle?

Question 2: Why do you want to be an Anacostia River Trail Ranger?

Both WABA and NPS are equal opportunity employers regardless of a person's race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, military status, sex, gender expression or identity, or sexual orientation.