Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/18/2025

End Date: 10/05/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hour

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.00 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 address a variety of natural resource needs with the main focus being on vegetation resources and the secondary focus on air resources. This position will allow for the monitoring of several restoration projects and vegetation impacts from visitors that we do not otherwise have the capacity to accomplish. Monitoring of restoration sites will allow us to determine what has gone well and what has not over the years in order for us to re-evaluate and change certain methods and techniques to improve our restoration efforts in the future. If monitoring shows that our restoration efforts are successful, that will also benefit future funding requests to continue restoration in impacted areas. Monitoring of visitor impacts to vegetation will also help us determine how quickly and how widespread vegetation resources are being degraded which will allow us to prioritize where future restoration and mitigation efforts should focus. The impact to the individual filling this role is that they will be exposed to a range of natural resource issues to help them determine their future career goals and they will have ample opportunity to network with staff, partners, and other members.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The goal of this position is to give the selected candidate a broad range of experience in natural resource management and monitoring, while also completing important projects to help protect various natural resources. The selected individual would conduct monitoring and sampling at our air quality monitoring stations as well as helping to repair equipment as needed. This would include sample collection and operation for a variety of natural level air quality programs including NADP, CASTNET, and IMPROVE that monitor ground level ozone, wet and dry deposition, particulates such as smoke and other pollutants, and general weather parameters. They would field water restoration sites with the help of volunteers. They would conduct photo-monitoring of vegetation in the alpine tundra. They would monitor the success of various restoration sites including recent riparian vegetation plantings. They would help with some surveys to protect rare plants. They would assist with greenhouse and nursery operations, and help with seed collection and cleaning. They may assist with planting and seeding of restoration sites and installing erosion control. They may assist with mapping of vegetation populations. And they may assist with an alpine tundra vegetation citizen science project. They will also participate in some member cohort events at the park which include a variety of professional development trainings (federal resumes, interview training, diversity and inclusion conversations) as well as fun gatherings (group hikes, cookouts). They will also have some opportunities to work outside of the Restoration Ecology program in other areas of interest to them.

KEYWORDS: vegetation, restoration, air quality, monitoring

DELIVERABLES

The main deliverables intended from this position are written reports on findings from the various restoration and visitor impact sites that the individual visits. In addition, while not required, we would hope the individual would also help develop social media posts related to the monitoring work they are doing, write an article for our non-profit partner on the monitoring, and give a presentation on their work that would be open to park staff and other interested parties.

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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Comfortable speaking to and interacting with a broad range of people

• Willingness to try new things and learn new skills

• Ability to learn quickly and follow instructions

• Helpful to have coursework or degree in related fields such biology, environmental science, or natural resources although this is not a requirement

• Have an interest in learning about biology and natural resources and park management

• Interest in potentially pursuing a career in natural resources

• Personal vehicle recommended

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

This is a field-based position. Some of the work may be conducted alone and some of it will be with crews and/or volunteers also working on natural resource projects. This position will be working on a variety of projects from monitoring changes in vegetation to assisting on restoration and plant material production projects to collecting samples related to air quality conditions. Work will occur at a range of elevations from around 7,500 ft up to potentially over 12,000 ft. Weather can change rapidly in the mountains. Warm sunny days can quickly change to a cold wet windy afternoon of hail and thunder and lightning (we avoid working outdoors during lightning storms). It is a mountainous environment with lots of hazards including difficult terrain, wild animals, stinging/biting insects, and exposure to heat/cold. Some work will occur near roadsides where visitors driving are often looking off in the distance rather than on the road in front of them.

The park hosts a large number of members each year, but just within our restoration ecology program alone, we usually have 4-6 members from different position programs who each fill different roles within our program. We also usually have between 10-15 seasonal staff within the restoration ecology program so there is a lot of opportunity for a member to network with staff.

The town of Estes Park where this position is based has about 6000-8000 year-round residents but feels much bigger especially in the summer due to the 4.5 million visitors that come through annually. There is one main grocery store, and two smaller ones including one that specializes in Mexican foods. There are several restaurants in town serving up a variety of foods from Chinese, Indian, Mexican, Italian, pizza, burgers and fries, steaks, and seafood. Several food trucks can also often be found throughout town. For entertainment, there is a movie theater, bowling alley, minigolf, a mountain coaster, gyms and recreation centers, t-shirt shops and ice cream shops. For outdoor recreation, you can find plenty of hiking, rock climbing, running, biking, nature discovery, solitude, fishing, photography opportunities, and wildlife viewing. Estes Park Health is the hospital in town which provides regular medical services as well as 24-hour emergency services. The larger towns in the front range including Fort Collins, Longmont, Boulder, and Denver are all only 40 minutes to an hour and a half away where many more resources for food, entertainment, and other needs are available.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is most likely a shared dormitory style house with shared bathrooms, kitchen, and common areas. The bedrooms have up to 4 beds in them each with a private area of the room. It is nothing fancy, but also a great opportunity to live with other members in the park and learn about the diverse opportunities and projects that others are working on. Selected candidates would want to bring their own linens for a twin size bed. Depending on the house/dorm you are assigned to, kitchenware may or may not be provided. However we would notify you of what to bring before arrival.

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 Rocky Mountain National Park 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!”