Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fire Island National Seashore, St Marys, Georgia

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 be 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore and Fire Island National Seashore in the completion of their 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 Cumberland Island NS 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 40% 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 as well as park natural resource and conservation projects and programs.


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 initiatives.


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 Cumberland Island National Seashore, located on the Atlantic Coast of Georgia. St Marys, Georgia is the gateway to Cumberland Island, Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature. Natives, missionaries, enslaved African Americans and Wealthy Industrialists all walked here. Cumberland Island is also home to over 9,800 acres of Congressionally designated Wilderness. Following approximately 6 months at Cumberland Island National Seashore, the Member will move to Fire Island National Seashore located on the Atlantic Coast, approximately 60 miles east of New York City. Fire Island is a place where you can immerse yourself in an enchanting collage of coastal life and history. Rhythmic waves, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife, Fire Island has been a special place for diverse plants, animals, and people for centuries. Far from the pressure of nearby big-city life, dynamic barrier island beaches offer solitude, camaraderie, and spiritual renewal. Fire Island is home to the Congressionally designated 1,381-acre Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness. Much the Member's work will be sedentary, in an indoor, office environment and will involve research, data analysis, and writing. However, 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. Cumberland Island National Seashore: On island housing is in historic structures. These buildings are pretty well maintained but not extravagant. All housing is furnished (beds, dressers, couches, kitchenware, etc.). Residents have private bedrooms, and most have shared living spaces. Housing has electricity, pluming, HVAC, no cost laundry facilities. There is no internet or TV service to housing. Cell service can be spotty depending where at on island. Each building has a TV, DVD player, and HD antenna. Residents need to supply their own personal items, bedding, food, etc.

Fire Island National Seashore: Park housing is available in dorms located that the Fire Island Lighthouse. Bedrooms are single occupancy with a shared bathroom and kitchen area. Housing has general amenities, pots, pans, utensils, etc. Member should bring their own bedding, clothes for both hot and cold weather, cleaning supplies, and paper products. Beds in the rooms are full sized. The Fire Island Lighthouse is accessible by car and parking is available. Additional housing options at Watch Hill on Fire Island (only accessible by boat/ferry) and the William Floyd Estate on mainland Long Island may also be available.


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 Cumberland Island National Seashore, Fire Island 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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