Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Education Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: No

Start Date: 08/18/2025

End Date: 11/10/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.00 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 Education Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will address the dedicated goals of ROMO's Natural Resource Stewardship division, which include the communication of stewardship principles and goals with park stakeholders, onsite visitors and virtual visitors. With annual visitation remaining at about 4.5 million visitors/year, the opportunity to share resource information is substantial. The Education Team at ROMO is also maximizing this park's digital outreach capacity to connect with students who cannot physically visit this place, sharing resource information that can be utilized while exploring nature here or anywhere. Thus, where many potential connection points are continually changing, this team is in a unique position to continue to address this ROMO Natural Resource Stewardship goal.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Scientist in Parks participant will perform as an Education Instructor in the Education and Outreach team at Rocky Mountain National Park. The program is based upon Colorado Education Standards and is used by over 100 schools and 10,000 students per year. The program has an emphasis on the park’s ecologic and geologic history. The participant will prepare education field activities for a variety of grade levels, primarily grades K–10. Programs will be hands-on field studies and Virtual Program experiences. Field studies usually last 3-5 hours and may occur in difficult weather conditions and will involve snowshoeing and other winter weather skills. The participant will also instruct prepared activities of ecology, history and other content areas. Rocky’s Foundations document puts forward our glaciers and mountainous landscape as significant features of this National Park. The NPS mission empowers us to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. This position brings together these two ideas by educating youth on the geologic and ecologic processes that make Rocky a special place worth preserving. This position is offered through the National Park Service's Scientists in Parks (SIP) Program in partnership with Stewards Individual Placement Program (Stewards).


KEYWORDS: Environment, education, science, virtual programs, students

DELIVERABLES

The member will produce educational resources such as curriculum materials and video, program reflections for each program delivered, bi-weekly reports of self-reflective progress, and a final SIP report for partnering groups and agencies.


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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must have (or be working toward) an undergraduate degree in natural sciences; a solid foundation of earth sciences and ecological processes is vital. Applicants should have knowledge and experience in working with students or youth groups in settings such as parks, nature centers, museums, camps, schools, etc. The applicant must be a willing partner in a dynamic teaching team with others who are articulate and enthusiastic in their presentation manner. Because situations change frequently while working with children, the Scientists in Parks participant needs to be flexible and adapt readily. Bilingual speaking/listening skills are preferred, but not required. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Natural Environment: Located about 65 miles northwest of Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park straddles the Continental Divide between 8,000 and 14,000 ft. elevation. Weather can change from summer-like to winter-like and back within hours. Work is often performed in cool or cold spring-time weather. The park is famous for its spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife, and varied ecosystems. The town of Estes Park is a five-minute drive from the park and offers many modern amenities. Social opportunities in Boulder and Fort Collins are within an hour’s drive.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

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

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Shared housing with 1-3 same-gender roommates in a dorm setting. This unit will have full kitchen facilities (except dishwasher), bathrooms, living room, wifi and internet. Participant needs to supply simple kitchen ware, linens and personal items.


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 Education 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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