POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Education Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hodgenville, Kentucky
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: 05/26/2025
End Date: 08/18/2025
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 Education Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist with communication and education at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (ABLI). ABLI is committed to restructuring our Education Program and using it as a catalyst in efforts to transform this unit from a traditional to a 21st Century national park. As part of this effort, ABLI is developing paths that lead to enhanced, multidisciplinary programming and educational curriculum that can be replicated onsite, offsite in the classroom, distance learning programs, and online.
A large part of this transformation will be accomplished through partnership with community groups and organizations. By collaborating with both the Knob Creek Conservancy and the City of Hodgenville, we can adopt a team approach to enhance recreational opportunities for both the community and ABLI visitors. This initiative will introduce innovative citizen science projects, empowering residents to engage with their public lands in exciting new ways. Together, we aim to transform the way Hodgenville interacts with its natural resources, fostering a deeper connection and stewardship within the community.
This position will in addition significantly enhance the communication and education efforts of ABLI by actively engaging with the public, K-12 students, and teachers. By fostering enthusiasm for citizen science, the member will invite and encourage diverse community participation in ABLI's participatory science initiatives community wide. In FY24, the education program at ABLI reached over 15,500 education contacts, including 15 educator workshop days that engaged 61 local educator contacts.
This role will build upon that foundation, expanding outreach and impact, and further integrating citizen science into educational experiences that inspire environmental stewardship and community involvement.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The primary role of this position is to serve as a Citizen Science Educator, driving the expansion of the park's citizen science initiatives throughout the community. The selected individual will collaborate closely with the Education Program Coordinator to develop innovative citizen science programs at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (ABLI) and within local community, engaging both K-12 students and adult learners.
Key Responsibilities:
Facilitate dynamic workshops focused on citizen science education, equipping educators and members of the public with the tools to integrate these concepts into their classrooms, programs, and their recreational activities.
Lead volunteer groups in hands-on data collection activities, fostering a spirit of community involvement and stewardship.
Promote participation in existing citizen science programs, enhancing outreach and engagement.
In addition, the member will work alongside the Education Program Coordinator and webmaster to create engaging and informative webpages. These will showcase collected data, highlight citizen science opportunities, and provide valuable curriculum resources for local educators.
Additional Tasks Include:
Conducting data collection with volunteer teams and analyzing results to inform future programs.
Delivering engaging presentations to K-12 students and teachers to inspire interest in citizen science.
Assisting with virtual educational sessions to reach broader audiences.
Creating written and digital promotional materials to effectively communicate the impact of citizen science initiatives.
Utilizing social media channels to share findings and promote community involvement.
KEYWORDS: Citizen Science, Education, Community Science, Monitoring, Digital Information
DELIVERABLES
Engaging Webpage Development
Create and launch dynamic webpages that effectively highlight citizen science opportunities and showcase the accomplishments of citizen science initiatives at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP (ABLI). These pages will serve as a valuable resource for educators and community members.
Facilitation of Citizen Science Programs
Successfully facilitate guided citizen science programs within the community, maintaining an average of two programs per week following an initial training period of two weeks. These programs will engage diverse audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of local environmental issues.
Comprehensive Lesson Plans
Develop a minimum of four comprehensive lesson plans that align with Kentucky state educational standards. These plans will seamlessly integrate citizen science concepts into classroom instruction, empowering educators to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
Teacher Workshop and Public Workshop(s)
Organize and deliver at least one impactful workshop for teachers focused on incorporating citizen science into their curriculum. This workshop will aim to equip educators with practical tools and strategies to meet state educational standards while fostering student participation in citizen science. Will organize and deliver at least one impactful workshop for the public/new VIPs focused on incorporating citizen science into their recreational activities.
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 possess a high school diploma or equivalent accreditation. Experience in public speaking and proficiency in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, are essential. Strong time management skills are also required. Candidates should be comfortable working both independently and collaboratively in group settings.
Ideal applicants will have a background or college coursework in education, environmental science, communication, biology, or other related fields. A passion for environmental education and community engagement will be highly valued.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The job will take place in a park setting, including a mix of computer/office work and work outdoors. Work outdoors will include walking both on and off trails, uneven areas, and may include up to five miles of walking per day. Weather in Kentucky can be hot in the summer, with average highs around 85 degrees and high humidity. A personal vehicle required for living in park, as the town surrounding the park does not have public transportation.
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. The selected individual for this position will live in park housing. The park houses were built in the late 1950s when the park's Birthplace Unit Visitor Center was built. Each house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Each person will have their own bedroom but will have to share the bathrooms. Common areas will also be shared and include a kitchen, dining room and living room area. The house is fully furnished.
The house contains a washer and dryer as well as a microwave, oven and refrigerator in the kitchen. The kitchen is also supplied with plates, glasses, cutlery, as well as some pots and pans. The park has provided a limited number of sheets, blankets, and towels for members to use, but all of these items are shared among house members. Selected individuals are strongly encouraged to bring some of their own personal items, such as bedding and kitchen supplies, to make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
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 Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park will host a Education 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!”