POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim, Arizona
Can this position be fully remote: No
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: No
Start Date: 04/28/2025
End Date: 10/25/2025
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hour
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.00 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 be directly tied to the NPS mission by providing interpretive programs and resource orientation that provide for the “enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” The North Rim serves an average of 600,000 annual visitors between the months of May and October. This position will have a significant impact on visitor experience and appreciation of the North Rim through the design and delivery of high quality interpretive products.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The member will provide up to 6 formal interpretive programs covering a variety of cultural and natural science based topics. These include talks, walks, and PowerPoint presentations. The SIP will work the North Rim visitor contact station and rove the North Rim trails to provide park visitors with orientation and safety information. The member will research techniques for increasing audience engagement related to natural resource topics. The SIP may help to update park publications, design interpretive posters, and create podcast episodes.
The SIP member will work with seasoned park rangers to learn about Grand Canyon, learn how to have successful informal interpretive contacts with park visitors, and learn how to create and present formal interpretive ranger programs using 21st Century Interpretive Skills. The member will develop enhanced presentation skills, expanded customer service skills, and increased knowledge on how to make science engaging and exciting for the average visitor.
KEYWORDS: Interpretation, Education, Visual Media, Digital Media, Collaboration, Grand Canyon
DELIVERABLES
The SIP member will research, develop, and present formal science-based programs including walks, talks, and illustrated evening PowerPoint programs. Each program will require a formal outline and bibliography. The member may also create social media posts, contribute to updating print media on the North Rim, and create podcast episodes.
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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's Degree, Proficiency in Microsoft suite, Adobe Creative Cloud, Hiking Experience, Public Speaking Skills, Strong Research Skills
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Natural Environment:
The Grand Canyon of the Colorado River is the world's greatest example of arid land erosion and one of the most spectacular exposures of stratified rocks. The vastness of its landscape has an average depth of 4,000 feet, width of 10 miles, and a length of 277 river miles - containing a seemingly infinite system of colorfully sculptured plateaus, mesas, buttes, cliffs, slopes, ridgelines, and side canyons. The North Rim is at 8,500 feet elevation with spruce-fir forests. Temperatures are mild in the summer months on the North Rim and can be cool during rains, but the desert and inner canyon often reach temperatures above 100 degrees (F). The work location of the North Rim is very isolated with limited cell phone service and wifi access. The North Rim has a gas station, small convenience store, post office, and two restaurants. The nearest small town with a bank and grocery store is Kanab, UT (80 miles) and the nearest town with full services (St. George, UT) is 145 miles away. A personal vehicle is required for this position.
Physical Work Environment:
Work requires long periods of standing, walking, and hiking at over 8,000 feet elevation. Work is performed in and out of doors in a variety of temperature extremes including heat, wind, rain, and snow. Work is conducted in an isolated, close-knit community with a small set of coworkers.
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. Housing is furnished in a shared government cabin, house, or apartment with potential for shared kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Ability to live and work closely with others is essential. Bring cooking utensils, linens and personal items. Family members are not allowed in shared housing. Pets are not allowed in any seasonal housing. This is a remote location and, depending on your provider cell phone reception may be poor or non-existent. There is limited access to wifi. Wifi is not available in the residential area.
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 Grand Canyon National Park 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!”