POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Can this position be fully remote: No
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/11/2025
End Date: 09/28/2025
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 Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will use recent advances in technology, including web-based tools and services to share knowledge with the public to make it easier and more efficient to meet the NPS mission of preserving natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Science Communication Member will work closely with Natural Resource Management (NRM) staff and Interpretation, Education, and Cultural Resources Management staff as a part of an interdisciplinary team. The purpose of the position is to develop science communication and educational tools in a variety of media forms to enhance visitor experiences. The member will assist NRM staff with data analysis related to invasive species management in the park's native warm season grasslands and limestone cedar glades. The member will use GIS to create maps in order to track management strategies such as prescribed fire, herbicide treatments, and bushhogging. Additionally, the member will assist NRM staff by taking photos and videos of management operations, and landscape conditions (before and after) to be used on the park's website and social media to improve the public's knowledge of the critical resources found in the park and the strategies used to conserve them. The member will have the opportunity to share Natural resource information with the public through the development of web pages, exhibits, interpretive publications and social media posts. The member will receive training in preparing interpretive programs and media and will prepare and present at least one onsite or outreach interpretive program.
KEYWORDS: Science Communication, Education, Interpretation, History
DELIVERABLES
Educational materials in both digital and print formats about scientific studies, ongoing projects, invasive species, park resources and management strategies relevant to Stones River National Battlefield. Updated webpage content. Videos and photographs of park resources. Social media posts and products.
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
Strong writing and communication skills. Highly motivated and able to work independently and as part a team. Proficient in Microsoft office programs. Experience developing science communication products. Experience with GIS. Experience with digital publishing, photography, and video production.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Physical/Natural Environment: Stones River National Battlefield is a 700-acre park located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, approximately 30 miles South-east of Nashville, Tennessee. The park is composed of forests, grasslands, cedar glades, savannas and barrens. Murfreesboro has all amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, gym, pharmacy, ATM, department stores, etc. Summers in Tennessee are very hot and humid.
Position Environment: Work will be heavily office base. When collected data in the field, member may be spending considerable time standing and hiking. Member may be subject to full sun, high heat, biting and stinging insects, and the potential for dehydration during field work.
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. Furnished Park housing with a private room in a three-bedroom co-ed house with shared sitting area and kitchen. Kitchen is supplied with dishes and pans. Member will need to bring all personal items including toiletries, laundry detergent, pillows, and linens. Housing has cable and wifi.
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 Stones River National Battlefield 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!”