Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Olympic National Park, North Coast and Cascades Network, Port Angeles, Washington

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: 06/01/2025

End Date: 08/24/2025

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 Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will focus on the “communication and education” discipline as defined in the Program Scope. The member will use science communication tools and platforms to share knowledge about science and research taking place in North Coast & Cascades Network parks. Many parks in the NCCN have a limited capacity to produce public-facing NPS science content, manage science information on their websites, and keep interpretation and education staff updated on new developments. By serving as a dedicated “field reporter,” this position will meaningfully improve the status of current science communication across eight parks (since many stories, including those emerging from long-term ecological monitoring, are relevant to multiple parks).

Nearly every science communication product that we work with has a strong connection to climate change. We cannot know with certainty the high-priority science stories that the member will be focused on next summer, but it is extremely likely that they will assist with a communication product centered on network’s new BIL/IRA-funded whitebark pine restoration program, which has a strong climate resilience theme. Through this and other science stories, they will engage the public with NPS’s active management and stewardship for climate resilience, which fits closely with the 2023 NPS climate change response strategy.

This position will provide NCCN parks with a unique opportunity to share our science more broadly both via new products and through engaging with the member’s interests, passions, and the experiences and perspectives they will bring to the program.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Science shapes our evolving understanding of the complex natural and cultural landscapes of our parks. In a time of large-scale environmental change and threats to park ecosystems, up-to-date knowledge is fundamental to informed stewardship. For the public, seeing crucial science taking place in the parks can create connection, hope, and empowerment in our relationship with the natural world.

However, science in parks often takes place out of sight – both to the public and sometimes even to park staff themselves. The North Coast & Cascades Research Learning Center exists to increase visibility, understanding, and engagement with science throughout the eight parks of the North Coast & Cascades Network: Olympic National Park, Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park Service Complex, San Juan Island National Historical Park, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle Unit.

This SIP will work closely with the North Coast & Cascades science communication specialist to shine a light on breaking science news and pull back the curtain on the nitty gritty fieldwork behind the headlines. Like a field reporter, this position will include travel to parks throughout the NCCN, embedding with research teams, conducting formal and informal interviews with scientists, synthesizing information from published and unpublished sources, and producing online articles and visual media science communication products. Time at the Olympic National Park natural resource management offices will be spent conducting background research, writing, processing photo and video products, and developing nps.gov webpages and other digital products that may include StoryMaps, social media posts, etc. There is broad latitude for an member’s creative interests to drive special projects.

There will be occasional opportunities for in-person science communication at park facilities (such as a drop-in program offered at a park visitor center) or alongside Olympic National Park interpretation and education staff. The SIP will interact with the public through informal and formal programs with support from the science communication specialist.

We are excited to work with a talented communicator and offer opportunities to grow their experience and skillset through the full life cycle of a science communication product. Opportunities will be available to learn and master digital media tools used throughout the NPS, including the nps.gov content management system and Adobe Creative Suite apps. We welcome applicants with a passion for seeking and communicating the heart of an issue, question, or story.


KEYWORDS: science communication, outreach, visual media, writing, research

DELIVERABLES

Intended position deliverables include:

  • At least three original nps.gov articles on high-priority science stories from across the network that will appear on NCCN park websites and in the quarterly NCCN science newsletter
  • Photography and/or videography products included as part of these articles or separately
  • Social media posts developed based on these articles and shared with park interpretation and education staff to promote the stories (our program does not manage in-house social media channels)
  • Potential for additional creative projects based on the member’s skills and interests

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
We are seeking a member who has a strong interest in science writing, visual media, and journalism. Outdoor experience is preferred but not required; interest and enthusiasm for working outdoors is required. Member must have strong writing skills and interest in digital media creation; experience in photography and videography is desired. Coursework in biology, ecology, or physical sciences (i.e. hydrology) required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Work will be completed in an office setting and occasionally in the field. Fieldwork may be performed in areas including steep slopes, rocky terrain, streams, lakes, and forests. This may involve strenuous hiking over uneven ground while carrying a heavy pack, and/or overnight camping in the backcountry. This position may also staff outreach events in public venues including campground amphitheaters, park visitor centers, and other locations.

Work may be conducted throughout the eight parks of the North Coast & Cascades Network, which range from high-elevation mountainous environments like the North Cascades to coastal areas like San Juan Island. This position will be based out of the Olympic National Park offices in Port Angeles, WA. Located on the northern coast of the Olympic Peninsula, Port Angeles is a small full-service town with live music, arts, and cultural events throughout the summer. Services include restaurants, a range of grocery options, places of worship, sports/gyms, medical/hospital facilities, and excellent regional public transit providing access to Seattle and other areas in the Puget Sound. Port Angeles is the primary gateway to Olympic National Park, which has a wealth of hiking, backpacking, and outdoors opportunities. Permanent park staff live throughout Port Angeles and other gateway communities, with the exception of a few small park housing areas.


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. Park housing is provided at no cost to the participant in an apartment or shared house with either single-occupancy or double-occupancy rooms, depending on availability. This may be in park housing within walking distance from Olympic National Park headquarters in Port Angeles, WA or may be in a park-leased unit or college dorm in the town of Port Angeles. Exact details of housing unit will be available closer to the position start date. We will make every effort to work with an member on any special housing needs.


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 North Coast and Cascades Network, Olympic 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!”

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