Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Canyonlands National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Point Reyes Station, California

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/19/2025

End Date: 05/18/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 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).
  • For 52-week-long positions only:
    • Healthcare Coverage
    • Childcare Coverage

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 Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will generate deliverables that are directly related to the National Park Service mission and Organic Act mandate to preserve the natural and cultural resources, as well as the statutory mandate of the Wilderness Act of 1964 to preserve wilderness character. Over 83% of National Park Service acreage is managed as wilderness, thus wilderness character monitoring serves an important purpose on the majority of NPS lands and waters. The concept of preservation of wilderness character is directly associated with the mission of the National Park Service to 'conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.' This mission statement is remarkably similar to the policy statement in the Wilderness Act which states that wilderness areas 'shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character, and for the gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and enjoyment as wilderness.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This 52-week SIP Member position will support Point Reyes National Seashore (California) and Canyonlands National Park (Utah) in the completion of the park’s wilderness character “Building Blocks” report, with an emphasis on completing a wilderness character narrative and baseline assessment. The Member is expected to spend approximately 6 months at each park, starting at Point Reyes National Seashore in May of 2025. The Building Blocks Report will provide a means by which the parks can monitor changes and trends in wilderness character over time, which will help the parks comply with the Wilderness Act’s statutory mandate to preserve wilderness character. Wilderness Character is defined as a holistic concept based on the interaction of (1) biophysical environments primarily free from modern human manipulation and impacts, (2) personal experiences in natural environments relatively free from the encumbrances of modern society, and (3) symbolic meanings of humility, restraint, and interdependence that inspire human connection with nature. Taken together, these tangible and intangible values define wilderness character and distinguish wilderness from all other lands. The National Park Service has > 44 million acres of wilderness designated by Congress in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. This constitutes over 39% of the entire National Wilderness Preservation System. The NPS also administers an additional 26 million acres of wilderness identified as eligible, proposed, or recommended. The National Park Service is responsible for preserving wilderness character on these lands in accordance with both the Wilderness Act and NPS wilderness policy. The Member may also perform duties in support of wilderness stewardship compliance and planning initiatives.


KEYWORDS: Wilderness, Monitoring, Stewardship, Preservation, Resource

DELIVERABLES

The member will be responsible for completing the following tasks for their assigned wilderness parks: 1) a wilderness character narrative describing the attributes of the park’s wilderness; 2) a wilderness character baseline assessment, including measures and associated data; 3) a wilderness character monitoring framework needed to identify changes and trends in wilderness character over time. These deliverables will be developed in accordance with 'Keeping It Wild 2, An Updated Interagency Strategy to Monitor Trends in Wilderness Character Across the National Wilderness Preservation System' the National Park Service “Wilderness Character Monitoring Technical Guide.” Both guidance documents are published in NPS Reference Manual #41 as Level 3 policy. The Member may be assigned work in the field to collect data to help inform indicators and measures established in the wilderness character monitoring process. Additional assignments may include conducting wilderness field patrols that include making educational contacts with park visitors, performing basic trail or campsite maintenance, or resource management functions, and assisting with wilderness management planning and compliance initiatives as well as natural resource management and conservation projects.


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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree preferred, but not required, and a master’s degree would be most welcomed. Two years of college level academic work may be considered. Preferred academic fields include but are not limited to wilderness management; natural resources management; parks and outdoor recreation management; natural, biological, physical, environmental sciences, political and social science. Preferred skills include technical writing, data management, and communications. A strong acumen in science, research, and GIS applications is also preferred. The Member's work will require close collaboration with interdisciplinary staff specialists at their assigned park/unit. Inter-personal communication and collaboration skills will enhance the member's ability to successfully achieve their deliverables. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

This one-year position will be shared between 2 parks, starting with Point Reyes National Seashore, located on the Pacific coast, approximately 75 miles north of the city of San Francisco, CA. The park contains 228,480 acres of Wilderness designated by Congress, and the park’s wilderness resource will be the focus of this position. Following approximately 6 months at Point Reyes National Seashore, the Member will move to Canyonlands National Park, near the town of Moab in eastern Utah. Canyonlands National Park contains > 278,000 acres of land recommended for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System which is managed to preserve wilderness character and the park’s wilderness resource will be the focus of this position. Much of the work will be sedentary, in an indoor, office environment and will involve research, data analysis, and writing. The Member will also have assignments in the field that will require the physical ability to hike and travel in the wilderness area, for the purpose of park orientation, observing actual management issues, collecting data, performing field patrols, and assisting with field-based projects


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. Park housing will be available at both parks at no cost to the Member.

Point Reyes National Seashore: Housing provided at Point Reyes has two shared dorm-style bedrooms with bunkbeds (separate women’s and men’s bedrooms). There is one kitchen and two bathrooms shared by all housemates. Member will need to bring bedding and personal items. This is a large house right on Tomales Bay with amazing views and wildlife right in the backyard. There is desk space and high-speed internet/Wi-Fi. Cell coverage is not good, but there is a landline for emergencies and cell phones can use Wi-Fi calling. There are laundry facilities onsite. The member will need their own vehicle for personal use and to get to and from the office, but NPS will provide a vehicle for field work. Housing is approximately 20 minutes from duty station.

Canyonlands National Park: The member would have a private room with shared bathroom and living spaces in a large house with up to 8 other housemates. The house is in the town of Moab, Utah within a 10-minute walk to town and an 8-minute drive to the park headquarters in Moab, UT where they will work in an open office space.


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 Canyonlands National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore will host a Natural Resource Management 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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