P17AS00032_ABSTRACT_R1.doc

This announcement is to provide public notice of the National Park Service (NPS), intention to fund the following project activities with competition.

ABSTRACT

OVERVIEW

The principal purpose of this agreement is to educate youth, promote community engagement, and to cultivate the next generation of conservation professionals. The project will provide opportunities for youth to learn about the environment by spending time working on conservation projects in the National Parks. National Park Service will promote the public purpose of the agreement by engaging young adults in community-based work and offering internships and training, all of which provide exposure to the importance of parks and conservation and to potential career opportunities therein. In the process, participants will add value to NPS by helping our staff and partners cultivate strong relationships with the youth and “emerging adult” demographics as project participants in our community-based projects.

The purpose of the program model is to support park units service-wide in expanding volunteerism, service-learning, and community engagement programs and expand activities to new audiences and communities. The Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA) program will allow the NPS to help encourage the next generation of lifelong conservation and stewards and promote a skilled and diverse workforce pipeline, through work and training opportunities for young adults and veterans.

The 52 week-long internship program is designed to inspire young adults and veterans (18-35 years old) from diverse backgrounds who are service-focused to aspire for careers of conservation stewardship through exposure to the many different career and leadership developmental opportunities at the NPS. NPS will provide the necessary training, career development, and education so that program participants can be effective and supported in their role.

RECIPIENT INVOLVEMENT

The Recipient will:

Administer components described in the Project Objectives section

In addition, the recipient will develop and deliver an annual work plan and detailed budget to accomplish the specific task(s) outlined in a separate task agreement(s), and quarterly and annual performance and financial reports as described in the Project Objectives section. The annual performance report should include an electronic-based reporting mechanism that documents and celebrates accomplishment through narrative and graphic communication. Recruit and hire a qualified undergraduate or graduate intern (ages 18 to 35), administer payroll, housing and travel expenses, make travel arrangements, conduct workshops, and administer other intern benefit. Outreach to minority and underrepresented students will be a priority.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE INVOLVEMENT

The NPS will:

Provide financial assistance in accordance with this FOA

Provide general orientation to the NPS, park/site operations, the mission and objectives of the Community Ambassador Program and the role of the Participants.

Provide NPS technical representatives to assist with specifics of the project as needed

Coordinate with the awarded entity for project selection and consultation on CVA placement.

Identified NPS units and provide a site supervisor for each unit to guide daily work projects and tasks.

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