Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Astronomy Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Glacier National Park, Browning, Montana

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/25/2025

End Date: 08/17/2025

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 Astronomy Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist in a variety of ways: Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is the world's first transboundary International Dark Sky Park and a critical aspect of maintaining this certification is education. Interpretation staff and volunteers work closely with Science and Resource Management staff to collect important night sky data while also providing important educational programming. This position will help to support this essential programming and provide an excellent learning opportunity for any participant interested in astronomy programming in a national park. This position will contribute toward the conservation, management, and interpretation of the night sky at Glacier National Park.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Glacier's astronomy program began in 2008 and has grown to become one of the National Park Service's premiere astronomy programs. Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is also the world's first transboundary International Dark Sky Park and a critical aspect of maintaining this certification is education. Glacier's astronomers help thousands of park visitors view the sun and night sky every summer. This Astronomy Assistant will have the opportunity to be involved in all facets of the park's astronomy program including public programs like star parties, solar viewing, nightly astronomy programs, presentations, special events, and activities in nearby communities. The participant will work closely with astronomers and other National Park Service staff during their appointment. The Astronomy Assistant will have the opportunity to learn and use a variety of telescopes and other equipment.

Astronomy staff are patient communicators who can help a diverse audience learn about astronomy. During nightly sky tours and telescope viewing, staff interact with many who are completely new to the night sky. They also assist with large events like star parties and astronomy festivals. Staff provide guided sky tours of Native American and Greek constellations and use park-owned telescopes and the Dusty Star Observatory to show visitors the wonders of deep space.

Training in the astronomy program, as well as interpretive skills, customer service, and park operations will be provided. The astronomy assistant will research, develop, and present at least one original interpretive program, as well as interact with the public informally during drop-in programs, roving assignments, and visitor center shifts. Other projects may include the following: collecting sky quality data to assess current conditions, using specialized equipment for imaging; and other projects depending on the interests of the participant. Additional training and professional development are also available.


KEYWORDS: night skies, astronomy, interpretation, education, observatory

DELIVERABLES

Specific projects, goals, and materials to be produced will be individualized for the participant. Projects may include developing astronomy materials, programs, and products; collecting and organizing images; collecting and analyzing night sky quality data; and providing astronomy education programs.


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
Applicants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students whose educational or career objectives are in astronomy, physics, or other related fields. Desired skills include the following: background in astronomy education; ability to set up and use both celestial and solar telescopes, experience in manual and/or GoTo telescope operation; ability to conduct night sky constellation tours; experience providing astronomy programs for the public through star parties or other events; ability to clearly communicate values of dark skies and find and describe astronomical objects; good customer service skills; ability to work independently and live in a remote area; and curiosity and friendliness.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Glacier National Park is located in northwest Montana and is a showcase of alpine meadows, glacially carved scenery, and spectacular lakes. Glacier provides numerous recreational opportunities including hiking, backpacking, camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The weather is highly variable and, even in summer, exploring the park means being prepared for changing conditions. Even throughout June, rainy days and cooler temperatures are common. Hot days and cool nights are normal throughout July and August. More information about the park can be found on the park's website at www.nps.gov/glac.

The housing/work area for this position is located in St. Mary, Montana on the east side of the park. This part of the park is fairly remote and having a personal vehicle is highly recommended. The closest grocery stores are located in Browning, MT approximately 30 miles away. The work will be a mix of an office setting and work in the park's Dusty Star Observatory, as well as work in an outdoor setting during programs and events. This position works closely with the public in a variety of weather conditions including heat, cold, wind, and smoky skies. The position also requires working a varied schedule including many shifts in the evening and at night.

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. Housing will be either a dormitory-style unit with a shared bathroom or at a trailer pad. Housing includes laundry facilities, basic furniture, and appliances (refrigerator, microwave, and stove/oven). Additional amenities such as utensils, dishes, pots/pans, other kitchen items, bedding, and other basic household items are available to borrow. Depending on park staffing, dormitory rooms may need to be shared (2 persons/room). Housing is located in St. Mary, near the east entrance of Going-to-the-Sun Road. The St. Mary Visitor Center and Dusty Star Observatory (the primary work locations) are just a short distance (approximately a half mile) from the housing. Housing is nearby other permanent and seasonal staff, as well as the St. Mary community.


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 Glacier National Park will host a Astronomy 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