Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Dinosaur National Monument, Dinosaur, Colorado and Jensen, Utah

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: 05/04/2025

End Date: 07/27/2025

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 Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will support the monument's impact goals, which are to expand riparian habitat restoration at a watershed scale and assist in regional surveillance/early detection of high priority aquatic invasive species (AIS) in the Green & Yampa watersheds. Using “inundative biocontrol”, this project will drastically scale up the number of approved biocontrol insects released & their geographic distribution within the region for long-term suppression of leafy spurge and Russian knapweed. Project will occur both within DINO and upstream/downstream in cooperation with established watershed group partners to establish local, self-sustaining nursery areas for these insects. DINO is also partnering with regional water interests to expand monitoring of CO and UT rivers for AIS by piloting new methods/equipment to assist with early detection of five species of aquatic invaders that threaten the ecological health and economic sustainability of the Upper Colorado River Basin.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Natural Resource Management (invasive species) Member will assist with biocontrol insect collection, deployment, monitoring, weed mapping, and invasive mussel veliger sampling throughout the Yampa and Green watersheds. These projects are largely river-based and occur at a watershed scale (i.e. both within and outside monument boundaries) with multiple local, state, and federal partners in Northwest Colorado and Northeast Utah. Member will join DINO Resource Stewardship and Science staff in assisting partner organizations/agencies wherever the project work occurs. Member will also work with DINO and partner interpretive specialists to develop public outreach materials related to project implementation. No invasive species management using physical or chemical techniques is expected/required of the member.


KEYWORDS: Invasive plant species, aquatic invasive species, biological control, ArcGIS, field work, data collection and management

DELIVERABLES

At the completion of this position, the member will have: Organized legacy and current biological control release/monitoring data in new AGOL database and perform basic analyses on that data once entered; Assisted natural resource river program staff and watershed partners in the collection, release, documentation and monitoring of biological control agents (insects) and aquatic invasive species sampling in front and backcountry environments; Created 3-5 interpretive media products relating to invasive species and invasives project work in Dinosaur NM.


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
Strong organizational skills; thorough work products; in depth knowledge of and experience using ArcGIS/ArcGIS Online and Survey 123; upper level undergraduate or graduate student with at least 9-12 credit hours of GIS; field study design and field data collection experience; STRONG interest in gaining experience in conducting applied resource management activities for up to 6 days at a time in remote locations, primarily in a whitewater river canyon setting, as part of a skilled team; experience working individually and in team settings and a strong interest or experience in leading projects. The applicant should be able to lift at least 25 pounds and hike 1 mile in hot, desert environments.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Dinosaur National Monument is a spectacular 211,000-acre medium-sized park with mega-park values. Dinosaur has the most complete geologic record of any national park area and an internationally renowned display of Jurassic era dinosaur bones. The rugged landscape provides diverse habitats that support a surprisingly diverse assemblage of plants and animals and critical habitat for endangered species. The whitewater rafting and magnificent scenery found in the canyons of the Green and Yampa rivers provide premier Western boating experiences. The Yampa is the only remaining large tributary in the Colorado River system that retains its free-flowing character. Dinosaur is over 90% recommended wilderness. The area receives an average of 8-10 inches of precipitation annually. Temperatures range from -20 degrees to 105 degrees. The nearby communities of Rangely, CO and Vernal, UT offer all amenities (hospital, schools, grocery, etc.). Both towns are within commuting distance (20-35 miles) of headquarters located in Dinosaur, CO and the Quarry visitor center located in Jensen, UT. Please visit our website at www.nps.gov/dino for more information. The work is split between the field (60%) and office (40%). Office is located at DINO headquarters in Dinosaur, CO. Field work for this position will include 3-4 multi-day river trips on the Yampa and Green Rivers in a backcountry setting. Hazards include extreme weather conditions (hot and cold), uneven terrain, biting insects, domestic livestock, wild animals, poison ivy, and class III-IV whitewater.


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 available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. The member will have a private room in a shared bunkhouse on the Dinosaur, CO side of the monument. The member will be able to walk to the office (10 minute walk), but will need a car to get to town. The bunkhouse has a full kitchen (cookware is provided) and is furnished with beds, couches, tables, TV, wifi, and washer/dryer. Bedding and towels can be provided upon request, but the member will need to bring all personal items including toiletries, laundry detergent, pillows. There is no public transportation in the area or to the monument from the nearest towns.


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 Dinosaur National Monument will host a Natural Resource Management 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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