Park Planning Member at Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the National Park Service is seeking one member to contribute to the park planning and design team at Golden Gate National Recreation Area in San Francisco CA.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: approx. 6/2/2026

Estimated End Date: 5/31/2027

*a 30-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Golden Gate National Recreation Area encompasses multiple park sites such as Muir Woods National Monument Alcatraz Island Marin Headlands Fort Point National Historic Site and Crissy Field in the San Francisco area. The position will be located at Fort Mason along the northern bayfront of San Francisco. Fort Mason is a former army post that is now the headquarters for Golden Gate National Recreation Area. The site is a beautiful oasis nestled between neighborhoods with plenty of amenities (restaurants grocery stores and recreational activities).

Position Overview: The Planning division of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area prepares a variety of planning design and environmental documents to help guide management of park resources and visitor experience. The staff provide planning project management and project implementation expertise across a rich suite of projects that address site development visitor access trail connectivity alternative transportation and climate resiliency.

The Park Planning Member will work with project managers to advance planning projects and field work on active projects throughout the park at locations that may include Muir Woods Stinson Beach Crissy Field and Ocean Beach. Major duties may include:

• Performing trail assessments mapping and analysis
• Performing research data collection mapping and site analysis
• Trail facility gap analysis
• Assisting with project coordination and communication such as note taking and newsletters
• Participating in stakeholder coordination and community engagement efforts
• Working closely with park partners and other divisions
• Drafting a clear vision of trail future trail improvements and priorities

Schedule: This is a part-time position (approximately 24 hours per week) intended for a member who already has housing in the San Francisco Bay Area. The schedule is somewhat flexible depending on the needs of the member but will occur within the Mon-Fri 9:00am 5:00pm (Pacific time) window.

Much of the work will be done in an office setting with periodic field work..

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 24 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $552/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures clear guidance on prohibited activities and networks for support. Specific training may include required training for government computer users.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional positive and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone and be a positive contributing member of a group.
• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets beginning of term feedback forms end of term evaluations and for longer terms a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement please visit our website

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate degree or bachelors degree in Community Planning Environmental Design Landscape Architecture or similar and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such urban and regional planning and civic engagement.
• Knowledge of planning or landscape architecture principles and practices is encouraged but not required.
• Ability and willingness to engage in research and site analysis and synthesis and/or experience with communication and outreach. Interest in learning more about park planning and design.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative work independently be accountable and ask questions to supervisor when they arise.
• Excellent communications skills; organizational skills; enthusiastic demeanor while working with the public and colleagues.
• Computer experience with any or all of the following: Microsoft Office especially Word and Excel; Basic graphic design skills a plus: Adobe Creative Suite PowerPoint. Familiarly with collection management and application of GIS data also a plus.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting standing walking talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment.

Vision Requirements: Requires close and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.

Environmental: Mainly indoor office environment conditions; indoor air quality is generally good and temperature is controlled.

Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.

Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Equipment: A government-furnished laptop will be provided.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold rocky terrain swamp or wetland conditions biting insects and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties one will be provided by the NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) typically provided by the NPS will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Manager Vanessa Rogan.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are enrolled in a program to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and job-related factors. Every qualified employee member or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment hire training transfer promotion compensation demotion termination benefits employee activities and general treatment without regard to race color religion age sex creed national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information veteran or military status physical or mental disability sexual orientation medical condition marital or parental status political affiliation ethnicity hair texture or style arrest record caste hereditary status endogamy or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal law.