Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Interpretive Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Lake, Colorado

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: No

Start Date: 05/04/2025

End Date: 09/21/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $565.00 per week.
  • Relocation Allowance of $400.00 distributed as a one-time lump sum.
  • Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).
    • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 75 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, 19 January, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 19 January, 2025.

PURPOSE

This Interpretive Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will aid Rocky Mountain National Park’s Strategic Work Plan, which lists resource stewardship and education as priorities, with a goal to integrate science and management to preserve and protect resources. This position deals directly with the public who help educate, inspire and build a deeper understanding of the benefits and importance of having dark skies including scientific research, cultural and natural significance, guidance and navigation, nocturnal animals, and mental wellbeing. Additionally, while working with multiple divisions, the member learns an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to natural resource management.

On the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, there are fewer cities and less light pollution. And it is further away from the major metropolitan area of Denver, CO than the east side of the park. So, the west side of RMNP has fewer obstacles to overcome to better preserve dark skies. This is the time to try to strive towards preserving this precious resource. The town of Grand Lake, CO, located 5 miles away from the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, has already started a Dark Sky movement and has invited RMNP to be part of it. The District Interpreter (Kristi Neilson) is part of the town committee called “Coalition for the Stars”, and Grand Lake recently passed a lighting ordinance. They continue to have meetings to work towards achieving positive results, and we hope to send this member position to be part of these meetings.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Interpretive Assistant Member will join a project to build dark sky programming in the Colorado River District (west side) of Rocky Mountain National Park. The member will join the RMNP’s dark sky movement to collaborate on preserving Rocky’s dark skies, research and present programs to the public (with an emphasis on dark skies and astronomy), and provide visitor services.

Primary Duties: We’ve targeted the natural resource of a dark sky on the west side of RMNP, because we view this as a diminishing valuable resource. The park is already working on a Dark Sky designation, and there is currently collaboration with the neighboring town of Grand Lake, CO. The member would work within RMNP to help reinvigorate the Dark Sky process while continuing to collaborate with the town of Grand Lake. This may entail attending meetings with park managers, collaborating with outside organizations, researching new ideas, and talking with new partners. The other part of this position is rebuilding astronomy programming on the west side of the park. The member would research, prepare, and develop astronomy programming. These programs would include astronomy/star talks during the new moon and lunar talks during the full moon. The member would create program outlines, present the programs, and provide training to other staff. The member would also create ideas for winter programming. The member would present information about dark skies and astronomy while working inside visitor centers and roving trails.

Other Duties: The member will provide general park information while working in visitor centers, assist with family-based programming during Jr. Ranger programs and special events, and help with other resource management tasks including restoration efforts, collecting water samples, and gathering and recording weather stats (weather data is used by the park and sent to the NOAA). There will be opportunities for professional development, complete writing assignments, provide website and social media content, participate in search and rescue, shadow other divisions, and complete other projects.


KEYWORDS: education, interpretation, astronomy, dark skies, science communication

DELIVERABLES

The member will develop and conduct astronomy programs, to educate the public about the natural resource of a dark sky. The member will learn how to conduct programs, collaborate with committees, participate in meetings, collect and record data, work with other divisions, and educate the public about resource management. Also, while the member is roving trails, they will provide additional monitoring and protection. The member will develop the larger project of helping to build the dark sky movement for the west side of the park. The written parts of the project will focus on resource topics like astronomy, dark sky initiatives, light pollution, and how to interpret these topics. They will be able to attend training, cross-training days to shadow other divisions, and other professional development.

There is strong interest from the public for the west side to provide astronomy programming. In 2023 and 2024, RMNP conducted an Astronomy Festival and astronomy programming, but the west side could not participate due to lack of staffing. The local astronomy club requested that we participate in the festival, and there were requests on our Facebook page from the public requesting that the west side participate, but unfortunately, we had to decline. We hope to participate in astronomy programming in 2025. Overall, this position could allow us to deliver astronomy programming and to build momentum towards the dark sky project for the west side of the park.


QUALIFICATIONS

  • United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
  • 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.
  • Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the NPS site location.
  • The applicant must be available to participate for 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Have a positive attitude and have the emotional intelligence to work through difficult work situations.
  • Ability to work well with and be kind to coworkers, peers, supervisors, visitors, and other divisions.
  • Ability to function effectively as a member of a team, but also able to work independently.
  • Ability to take directions, feedback, and guidance.
  • Good communication skills and customer service skills.
  • Ability to perform public speaking and/or learn how to present programs to public groups and school groups.
  • Interest in working with visitors of all ages, especially children and families in an outdoor environment.
  • Ability to stand or sit for moderate amounts of time and hike up to one mile.
  • Ability to work in hot or cold outdoor temperatures, sometimes in adverse weather conditions.

    ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

    POSITION SETTING

This position is at high elevation (8700-9000 ft) on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park near Grand Lake, CO, at the Kawuneeche Visitor Center. This position will work in a visitor center and in an outdoor environment. When working outdoors, member will usually work along a trail or route. Main hazards include moose interactions, unpredictable weather, rain and thunderstorms, and the possibility of snow during any month of the year. Summer temperatures range from 40-80° F. A major wildfire occurred in 2020 and there is burned landscape within the park. The work requires walking and hiking as well as bending, lifting, and standing for long periods of time.

The Colorado River District is located on the west side of the park, 1.5 hours away from park headquarters/Estes Park, CO. Our district includes the headwaters of the Colorado River, Kawuneeche Valley, Holzwarth Historic Site, Never Summer Mountains, and the Alpine Visitor Center (highest visitor center in the NPS). The nearest community for this position is Grand Lake, CO, located 5 miles away. This town has a post office, restaurants, churches, medical clinic, museum, shops, recreation center, repertory theater, and small grocery stores. Granby, CO, located 25 miles away, has more services including a large grocery store. Silverthorne/Dillon/Frisco, CO, 1.5 hours away, and Denver, CO, 2.5 hours away, has restaurants, thrift stores, cultural events, museums, and large retail stores. There is not a park shuttle system in the Colorado River District, and there is no public transportation. For this reason, a personal vehicle is essential.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
  • A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Shared housing is provided. Member will live in dorm-style living quarters and may share a bedroom with one other person. There is a kitchen, living room/common area, and restrooms shared with other employees. Basic kitchen items are provided, but member must bring linens and towels. Laundry facilities located on-site. Because it is shared, there is no housing available for partners, families, or pets. Smoking is not allowed inside housing or any government facilities. Marijuana use and possession is prohibited on federal lands, including national parks, even if it’s legal by state law and/or for medicinal purposes. This includes park housing. There is good cell service (by all carriers) in park housing. There is no Wi-Fi, internet, or cable TV installed in housing, but public Wi-Fi is available at the visitor center. The housing area is a 5-minute walk to the visitor center.


HOW TO APPLY

Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. Complete the application for this position, highlighting why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Be prepared to upload your resume and unofficial transcript as part of completing the application questionnaire.

Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks positions per season. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your email service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.). Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.


ADDITIONAL DETAILS


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.


TIME REQUIREMENTS

  • This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
  • 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

  • Orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
  • Pertinent training from the NPS site location throughout the term of service.
  • Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff or the Ecological Society of America.
  • Opportunity to join one (or more) SIP Affinity Groups. Groups include: DEIJ Change Makers, Women+ in Science, BIPOC, or Pride in STEM.
  • Opportunity to present the outcomes from the SIP position at national scientific meetings held by the Ecological Society of America and Geological Society of America.

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.


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 Rocky Mountain National Park will host a Interpretive Assistant.


Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements.


If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact us!”

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