Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park, Cornish, New Hampshire

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/04/2025

End Date: 05/03/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $665.00 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).
  • For 52-week-long positions only:
    • Healthcare Coverage
    • Childcare Coverage

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 help coordinate a community science monitoring project that will give the two parks and the USGS important data on water quality. ​In this project, dragonfly larvae are sampled from monitoring sites and sent to the USGS to test them for mercury. This information provides critical data about the pollution of our land and water and how that impacts the health of the park as a whole. Additionally, this project depends on community scientists to collect the samples, which provides opportunities for the local community to get involved with the park. In addition, this position will collect, map, and analyze invasive species data for the park. Invasive species management is the number one challenge that the park is facing. Data collection on invasive species will help the natural resources team to determine the best practices to manage this challenge. Science communication around invasive species to the local community will have huge impacts. The more that community members know about invasive species, the healthier the environment surrounding the park will be, which could also have benefits for preventing the spread of invasive species into the park. Further, the assistance of the SIP in natural resource monitoring efforts will address multiple natural resource management needs. Monitoring efforts give the park valuable information about how wildlife use our park, and how we should continue to manage the park into the future in the face of climate change. Finally, the science communication and education components of this position allow for park visitors to learn more about the environment and act on this knowledge. Informed visitors can become stewards of their communities and have huge impacts

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

​​This position will be a part of a two-park Natural Resource Management, Science Communication and Education team with technical support from the Northeast Temperate Network. The SIP will be responsible for valuable data collection, entry, analysis, and science communication at both parks.

The primary project will be coordinating the Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP) and leading science communication surrounding this project. The wetlands at Saint Gaudens NHP have been selected for a special research survey conducted as part of the DMP in collaboration with the USGS. The member will work with natural resources staff to sample 7 sites located in wetland coves along Blow Me Down brook before the water level is drawn down for needed repairs. The sites will then be resampled in 2026 to examine differences in methyl mercury sequestration related to the water level drop and related aeration of wetland soils. The SIP will be in charge of coordinating the sampling of 7 sites, sampling data analysis, shipping water samples, and coordinating with USGS on their research needs. Another important aspect of this project is science communication and education. This will include training and facilitating sampling programs with school groups, adult programs, volunteers, and teacher professional development. Science communication around this project will also include writing articles for the park‘s website, social media posts, and advertising for community science events.

A secondary project will be data collection for invasive species monitoring at Saint-Gaudens. This will include field work identifying native and invasive species, using GIS for mapping, and analyzing this data. The SIP will also coordinate science communication around invasive species including leading educational programs on this topic, writing articles and other media.

In addition, the SIP will help with other natural resource monitoring projects including deer monitoring, bobolink surveys, eastern redback salamander monitoring, phenology route monitoring, and water quality assessments. They will also assist as needed with science communication at the parks including events, field trips, outreach, family programming, teacher trainings, and camps.​


KEYWORDS: Science Communication, Water Quality, Forest Monitoring, Dragonflies

DELIVERABLES

​​Deliverables include: portfolio of science communication about the DMP at our park including but not limited to: educational programs (plan and lead at least 4 programs for adults and children), educational materials (lesson plans and worksheets), website articles (write at least 2 website articles about DMP), social media posts (write at least 2 posts about DMP), invasive species data collection: create GIS maps to identify where invasive species are located at the park, science communication around invasive species (plan and lead 2 programs), write social media posts on this topic (at least 3 posts)​


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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
​​The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in biology, natural resources, environmental science, and/or science or environmental education. Skills – attention to detail, ability to focus and accurately enter data, knowledge about statistics for data analysis, experience with Excel, ability to make complex data easy to understand, a background in education/working with children, knowledge of best practices in educational work, willingness to work outside for long hours in a variety of temperatures/conditions, ability to hike multiple miles often up hill. Desired strengths: team player, flexible, organized, able to work independently at times​

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Position Environment: This position will include a combination of office and field work. This will vary depending on the season and needs of the team. There will be plenty of work in the field in spring, fall, and summer, and more office time in the winter. Saint-Gaudens and Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park (MABI) share a natural resources team. This position would primarily work on projects at Saint-Gaudens, but would frequently do work at MABI as well. At Saint-Gaudens, there is an administration building and visitor center with office spaces. One office is used for the natural resources team and is rotated as needed depending on who is at Saint-Gaudens on a particular day. This position may require the member to lift 25lbs and spend extended periods of time outdoors in cold, hot, or humid conditions. Hiking off trail will also be a component of the position. Job hazards include working in an outdoor environment (animals, ticks, sun exposure) and the potential hazards of working with tools (saws, loppers, pruners, etc.). Local Area - Saint-Gaudens National Historic Park is located on a west-facing slope of the Connecticut River Valley with marvelous views of Mount Ascutney and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Saint-Gaudens, while once covered by glaciers and glacial meltwaters, today is home to upland forests, spring seeps, brooks, and two ponds. Over 100 acres Forest surrounds the core historic area, which sits on about 20 acres of land. The Park was the home of Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848-1907) who created over 150 works of art, from exquisitely carved cameos to heroic-size public monuments​. Saint-Gaudens NHP is located in Cornish, NH, a quintessential small New England town. It is across the river from Windsor, VT which has a pharmacy, bank, and grocery store. Cornish is about 30 minutes from West Lebanon, NH which has many chain restaurants and stores. The weather in Cornish varies from season to season. During summer, temperatures average around 70 degrees, and winter temperatures average around 30 degrees.


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 NOT available. The member will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. ​​Most members are able to find housing options in the population hubs within a 30 minute drive from the park. These include Lebanon, NH, West Lebanon, NH, Hanover, NH, Hartford, VT, and Windsor, VT. The parks also have a document with rentals available from landlords who typically work with the park to find housing for seasonal employees and members. Typically, these are room rentals and are at a lower cost than those found online. Housing costs vary widely depending on the location and size of the unit. Housing in the more populated areas or those in desirable tourist areas are much more expensive than those in the rural areas between the larger towns. Online prices for a 1-2 bedroom apartment can vary from $800 to $2,000+ per month. Depending on availability there could be park housing available, but it is not guaranteed.​


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 Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Saint-Gaudens National Historical 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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