Shared by Lukas Miller, as Guest Blogger.

Are you interested in a career in parks or natural resource management? Serve with the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps (VSCC) as an AmeriCorps member.

While serving in Virginia State Parks you’ll gain experience, earn an education award, and receive valuable training. Come be mentored by professionals who are already working in the career you desire.

AmeriCorps member teaching a program about snakes at Pocahontas State Park

Education can be fun and hands on as an AmeriCorps member

Interpretive Trail Member identifying local bird species at Claytor Lake State Park

For some of us, the summer season seems in the distant future; the weather this winter has been cold and gloomy. There is, however, a ray of warmth on the horizon. The return of spring and summer means Virginia State Parks visitation will steadily rise.

Many of us are looking forward to kicking back at one of the 38 Virginia State Parks and enjoying a proper vacation.

Others will take advantage of the weather and choose to give back to the State Park community by volunteering.

Backed by the national service program AmeriCorps, the Virginia Service and Conservation Corps recruits volunteers for service in Virginia State Parks. Over the years members have served in a variety of programs.

This year the VSCC will be hosting 30 new members for the Interpretive Trail Project for the summer.

These members will serve 450 hours from May 12 – August 31, 2019. While in service, members help plan, promote, deliver, and report on interpretation programs.

The Interpretive Moment for an AmeriCorps Member at York River State Park

Applications are being accepted from now until March 27, 2019.

If you envision yourself in a career with Virginia State Parks and want to gain the personal and professional experience you desire, or you’re just looking for a summer service opportunity, then fill out the application here. Applicants will be interviewed and placed on a rolling basis.

The VSCC staff reserves the right to close the application early at their discretion. Interested individuals should apply as soon as possible in order to be considered.

Learn more about this valuable program and how to apply here.

After visiting those pages, if you have further questions or need more details, contact the Office of Community Engagement and Volunteerism by email, or call 804-887-8932.