Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, Lakewood, Colorado

Can this position be fully remote: Yes

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 36 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/04/2025

End Date: 01/11/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $665.00 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 Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will aid the mission of the NNL Program to recognize and support the conservation of sites that best illustrate the nation’s biological and geological history, and to promote landscape conservation and the appreciation of natural heritage. This position also further advances the NPS mission of extending the benefits of resource conservation beyond park boundaries. With over 600 NNL sites across the country, the position will provide positive benefit to owners and managers nationwide, broadly increase understanding of the program by the public and within NPS, create informational tools/products available for use by thousands of educators, and make information that is often highly technical and complex in nature accessible to greater audiences. This position will directly impact the program’s ability to share and connect the public with America’s diverse natural heritage.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The SIP will provide program support to the National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program with projects primarily associated with education and communication. The NNL Program, which is part of NPS’ Natural Resource Stewardship and Science (NRSS) Directorate, collaborates with public and private landowners at over 600 sites across the country that have been designated NNLs in recognition of their significant biological and geological features. The SIP will engage with NNL Program staff on projects that may include 1) review and revise NNL site descriptions and significance statements, 2) creation of educational outreach products/online tools for NNL partners, 3) assist with NNL site monitoring (including travel for in-person visits and remote via email and phone calls), 4) providing support to NNL owners/managers, 5) assist with outreach to NNL site owners/managers, 6) development of social media announcements regarding NNL anniversaries, national celebrations and landscape initiatives (such as National Cave Week, National Fossil Day, America the Beautiful), 7) explore and implement audience-specific communication tools for connecting within the NPS to share about the program and NNL sites, and 8) engage fully as a member of the NNL Team, sharing thoughts, perspectives, ideas and recommendations. Overall position responsibilities include being flexible and working efficiently in a remote scenario, interfacing with internal and external partners to gather and exchange information and plan and execute projects, and working effectively both independently and on teams. This position offers an invaluable opportunity to gain experience engaging with various public and private land managers and partner organizations, interact with different divisions and directorates within the NPS, travel to nationally significant sites, and work with a group of dedicated and passionate NPS employees.


KEYWORDS: Natural resources, communication, education, partnerships, conservation

DELIVERABLES

Deliverables may include 1) hardcopy and/or digital educational outreach products/tools, 2) revised one-page Landmark Briefs, 3) site monitoring reports, 4) outreach communications and social media posts, and 5) other educational tools, like state-by-state NNL guides, those created for specific NPS audiences and/or other tools/products identified to help meet program goals and NNL site needs.


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 36 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The applicant must have strong communication and writing skills with a solid background in science and natural resource management. The applicant must be self-directed, self-motivated, organized, detail-oriented, and have the ability to work independently in a remote situation and collaboratively with a variety of people from diverse partner organizations. The ability to use standard office software such as Excel, Word, etc is required. Experience with graphic design software and developing web-based communication products and outreach tools is highly desired.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Primarily office work with some travel for meetings and to NNL sites, the latter of which may include air travel, driving to remote locations, meeting with partner individuals/organizations, hiking and being outdoors in variable weather conditions.


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 NOT available. The member will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. No housing provided, position is fully remote.


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 Natural Resource Stewardship and Science will host a Science Communication 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!”

%FOOTER_POWERED_BY%breezy