Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, Kingston, Rhode Island

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: 06/02/2025

End Date: 06/01/2026

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 assist with seagrasses, which are priority natural resources for parks such as Cape Cod, Fire Island and Assateague that have developed stewardship strategies and management plans outlining goals to achieving and maintaining desired seagrass resource conditions. Goals include understanding threats to seagrass meadows, improving environmental conditions, and expanding the extent of meadows via restoration. The work that the member will complete during their 52-week position will directly contribute to the NPS mission and goals to educate the public, to share knowledge about the natural resources that they manage and communicate science-based information to the many audiences they share.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network (NCBN) is one of 32 networks created by the National Park Service to implement ecological monitoring activities under the NPS Inventory and Monitoring program (I&M). The NCBN consists of eight parks linked by geography and shared natural resource characteristics, and extend from MA to VA. These eight parks together contain approximately 59,220 hectares (146,300 acres) of park lands, representing some of the most ecologically similar collections of lands within the National Park Service. These parks protect vital coastal wetlands that are essential to water quality, fisheries, and the biological diversity of coastal, near shore, and terrestrial environments.

We are seeking a highly motivated member to support the science communication needs of a large Seagrass Restoration and Resilience project funded through the Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act for climate change resiliency projects, and the National Park Foundation. The NCBN has been monitoring seagrass habitat conditions for more than 15 years. Over these years, seagrass meadows have declined at alarming rates across the East Coast. There is evidence that recent losses are partly due to rising temperatures. To address the urgent need to stop and reverse declining seagrass trajectories in parks, reduce population-scale climate change vulnerability, and ensure the persistence of the region’s key seagrass species, eelgrass (Zostera marina) into the future, the NPS is pursuing ways to restore and enhance the resilience of their eelgrass populations in national parks.

With a strong emphasis on content development, topic research, and translation of complex science for specific audiences, the successful candidate will assist in the communications planning for this important project and assist in the development of science communication content for all aspects of the project. As an member you may develop novel content and skills – such as Storytelling, webpage design, videos, social media posts, blogs, and other outreach materials – to communicate information about seagrass (Eelgrass) it’s place, value, and benefit as a key species and habitat in coastal systems, as well as its economic value to wildlife, fisheries, and humans. Communication content will also be developed to document and communicate the NPS Seagrass Restoration and resilience project itself, to amplify the project’s impact related to the mission of the NPS, conveying this to key audiences, including the public, park staff, and other agencies and communities.

In addition, the member will be assisting with collecting field data as needed, collecting seagrass, water quality data, and other ecological monitoring data. This will also include assisting with data entry, and documentation of data collection methods used as part of the project. The applicant will also assist with administrative tasks like attending meetings with the scientists and helping develop presentations, and notetaking.


KEYWORDS: science communication, natural resource science, GIS, ecological monitoring, marine science, climate change, ecology, seagrass, restoration ecology, coastal science, writing, videography

DELIVERABLES

Content creation may include creating blog posts, podcast episodes articles, and newsletters about the project. Developing social media content for the parks. Creating visual content such as infographics and presentations. Conducting interviews with partners, researchers, and other stakeholders. Work with the NCBN team to develop communication strategies. Project Management support will be required to help us keep the Seagrass Restoration and Resilience project on target for success. Tasks may include, participating in partner meetings, taking meeting notes, creating presentations, scheduling meetings, and assisting in the preparation of reports and documentation. Field work will be required, working with the NCBN staff to collect field data and participate in monitoring seagrass sites and water quality.


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 member must have strong writing skills, to create clear, engaging, and accurate content, as well as a strong understanding of scientific concepts and terminology, with a science, natural resources or ecological conservation background gained through coursework or work-related activities. Must be good at interpreting and explaining complex scientific information to a general audience. The member must have experience developing science communication products using a variety of media and must be proficient in using Adobe products and have some GIS skills in order to develop content such as Story Maps. Excellent verbal communication skills for interviews and presentations, and the ability to work collaboratively with a team.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

The member will be working on the University of Rhode Island, Kingston Campus in one of the NCBN offices within the URI Natural Resources Science Department. Office space will be shared with staff from the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network. Kingston Rhode Island is close to summer resorts and beaches and approximately 50 minutes from Providence, RI and 35 minutes from Newport, RI. Because the area is a popular summer vacation destination, and a college town, it is very difficult to find affordable housing, therefore housing must be obtained before accepting the position if a participant is selected, unless supervisor and candidate agree on remote work. The member will be allowed to telework from home on a set schedule, depending on their living circumstances.


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. It would be best for the member to be within commuting distance from the University of Rhode Island, where our offices are. Off campus housing near the University is available locally for students in shared homes or apartments, with an approximate cost of $600-$800/month for one room, but can be difficult to acquire in the summer.


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 Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network 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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