Job Description

Position Title: South Park NHA Graphic Design Steward - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: South Park National Heritage Area, 418 Main Street, Fairplay, CO 80440

Terms of Service:

• Ideal Start Date: 2/2/2026

• End Date: 3/27/2026

• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 300 Hours, 8 weeks

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the South Park National Heritage Area will host a Graphic Design steward.

The Graphic Design Steward is an AmeriCorps position that will assist South Park National Heritage Area in fulfilling its mission to preserve and conserve the area’s cultural, natural, and historic resources. National Heritage Areas (NHA) are places where natural, cultural, historic and scenic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape arising from human activity shaped by geography. These patterns make National Heritage Areas representative of the national experience through the physical features that remain and the traditions that have evolved in them. These regions are acknowledged by Congress for their capacity to tell nationally important stories about our nation. NHAs promote greater public and private participation and partnership in historic preservation, education, outdoor recreation and conservation activities, which build a resource stewardship ethic for participants and the public.

The Graphic Design Steward will assist heritage area staff with interpretive exhibit designs for the historic Paris Mill. Located at an elevation of 11,000 feet, the Paris Mill (circa. 1895) is one of only a few remaining gold-ore mills in Colorado. The South Park National Heritage Area (SPNHA) and its partners have been restoring the mill for several years and the property is being prepared for limited public tours. Although construction is still taking place, SPNHA is beginning to develop and initiate an interpretive exhibit plan to create an interesting and informative exhibit. Under supervision from the Executive Director (and other staff) this steward will be responsible for researching, planning and designing an exhibit plan for public tours of the Paris Mill.

Description of Duties:

• Conduct necessary research and interpretive writing associated with developing the “concept brief” and interpretive plan for the Paris Mill Site;

• Schematic design and development of the exhibit content and panels. Design of the initial floor plan, content layout, test panels, and stylistic and visual interpretive design.

• Detailed exhibit design into a coherent, informative, and engaging design. This includes collaborating with staff to draft the exhibit content and present exhibit design to stakeholders for review and revision.

Qualifications:

• Undergraduate or graduate degree in graphic design, exhibit design, or communication design.

• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop) and Microsoft Office.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A portfolio that demonstrates experience in graphic design of print and web materials.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

• Passion for, or interest in, cultural heritage and environmental conservation that the candidate can translate into relevant graphic designs.

• Previous experience with exhibit panel design, preferred, but not required.

• Currently residing in, or willing to reside in, Colorado, at a location near Fairplay, CO. Denver, Colorado is acceptable, other Colorado locations may be considered.

Additional Position and Community Information:

• The South Park NHA is located in Park County, Colorado and headquartered in Fairplay, Colorado. Fairplay is a mountain community nestled in a beautiful high elevation valley. Stewards will find essential amenities nearby, including a grocery store, medical clinic, and local dining. Excellent fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities (hiking, skiing/snowboarding, snowshoeing, horseback riding etc) abound in the area. Housing is typically limited in Park County and the selected candidate may reside within commuting distance of the host site. Candidates should have a functional personal vehicle to travel to Fairplay, Colorado for at least 2 physical visits to the heritage area.

• Must have your own functional laptop suitable for Adobe InDesign.

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary according to project needs. Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• The heritage area staff will provide training on interpretive planning, exhibit research and writing review, and exhibit design and content best practices.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,565.08 (pre-tax)
• Living Allowance of $660.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Weekly Additional Benefit of $290.00 per week (pre-tax)
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

How to Apply:

Find position in table at: . Open position, review full position description and click apply.

In addition to your resume , please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position and a PDF sample of your design portfolio.

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by December 19th, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Supervisor/Mentor Name and Contact Information:

• Service Site Contact information: Andrew Spencer at Andrew.Spencer@parkcountyco.gov

• Program Contact information: Ali Jones at ajones@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Job Tags

Permanent employment, Full time, Work at office, Local area, Night shift,

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