Community Volunteer Ambassadors
Updates
Please note: our 2022 CVA cohort has been hired and will be starting soon! Keep an eye on this page for updates and stories from the field, and stay tuned for the new opportunities in 2023.
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The Pacific-West Region consists of parks in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Idaho, and Hawaii, as well as the territories of Guam, Saipan, and American Samoa.
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Eight states make up the Intermountain Region of the NPS: Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. This region includes some of the 'big-hitter' parks like the Grand Canyon, Arches, Big Bend, and Glacier.
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The Midwest Region contains 57 parks across thirteen midwestern states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Parks include Niobrara National Scenic River and Pullman National Monument.
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Natchez Trace, Great Smoky Mountains, and Big Cypress are just a few of the National Parks in the Southeast Region, which contains a total of 60 parks across 9 states.
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Work at sites like Manassas National Battlefield, or even at the White House Visitor Center! From urban oases and historic buildings to Civil War battlefields and outdoor adventures, the National Capital Region truly has it all.
Where are CVA's based?
Hear from former CVA's!
Monique and Michelle tell us about their experiences as CVA's in Florida and Alaska—what their responsibilities were, and where their positions took them.
What is a Community Volunteer Ambassador (CVA)?
Community Volunteer Ambassadors are a group of young adults, brought together through a partnership between the National Park Service and the Stewards Individual Placement Program to lend their talents, energy, and enthusiasm to help strengthen the relationship between parks and local communities. CVA's are typically recent high school and college graduates who serve year-long terms in National Parks across the country. CVA's work to expand volunteer opportunities and connection points for community members. Learn More!
We are now hiring for the 2022 CVA cohort! Click the links above to learn more about each park and opportunity.
CVA Setareh Nouriboshehri during a tidepool education day
The National Park Service’s Community Volunteer Ambassador Program celebrates its 5th year!
Stewards Individual Placements is excited to enter the fourth year of a unique partnership model to facilitate the Community Volunteer Ambassador Program (CVA) for the National Park Service. The CVA program combines the strength of a national leader in conservation service with the National Park Service in order to train a diverse group of emerging leaders to assist park units in building lasting connections to local communities. Over sixty young professionals will serve as CVA members for 50 week terms at NPS sites across the country from Saipan to Florida, starting on February 8th, 2021. Ambassadors will serve under the guidance and mentorship of the Service’s Interpretation, Education and Volunteers Directorate, but will be directly supervised by a designated NPS site supervisor at the site where they will be stationed.
“Every Community Volunteer Ambassador dedicates a year of service to build enduring relationships between their national parks and local communities. By collaborating with park partners and diverse local voices to support the Volunteers-In-Parks program, these interns create and maintain efforts that are inclusive, equitable, and accessible to all who wish to volunteer. The impact of the Community Volunteer Ambassador program is evident in each park where these interns are serving. I am thankful for and proud to work alongside this new generation of public lands stewards.”
- Thomas R Medema, Acting Associate Director for Interpretation, Education, & Volunteers, National Park Service
Meet the members of our 2021 CVA Cohort, here!
Check out what our current members are up to on the CVA Blog as well as on Instagram.
Previous CVAs hard at work.
CONTACT
For general inquiries about the CVA program, or if you are interested in becoming a CVA, please contact:
Allie Burdick, Engagement Coordinator