POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Coronado National Memorial, Hereford, Arizona
Can this position be fully remote: No
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 08/11/2025
End Date: 08/10/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 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).
- 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 Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that aligns with topics traditionally aligned with natural resource management including air quality, climate change, geological studies, hydrological studies, and GIS. The work accomplished by the member will tie into the NPS mission of preserving the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations by focusing on the restoration and monitoring of these resources. This position opportunity will also follow NPS Mission Goal Category I: Preserve Park Resources and Strategic Goal 2: Conserve, Protect, Manage, and Restore Natural and Cultural Resources in the Face of Climate Change and Other Stressors: 2.1 Lands, waters, and heritage are conserved for present and future generations.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The National Park Service's Southeast Arizona Group (SEAZ) includes Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. The trio of parks are managed by one leadership team, headed by a superintendent. SEAZ parks, near the US-MX border within the Madrean Archipelago, preserve significant biodiversity and natural resources in the United States. Anthropogenic and natural processes such as, border related disturbances and climate change, are adversely affecting resources, including: environments, wilderness, and landscape. These processes continuously impact the landscape, hydrology, and associated ecosystems—destroying vegetation, soil, and ecosystem biodiversity.
This project will train youth participants to address ongoing natural resource disturbances. They will follow existing and develop new protocols for monitoring changes in the landscape, climate, ecosystems, and water resources, all while learning to navigate the geographical and sociological challenges present in the SEAZ parks. This project will enable youth participants to work alongside NPS subject matter experts and introduce them to potential career pathways in the NPS. The experiences and challenges of this project will help build future leaders in the field of resource management. The selected SIP member will work in the division of Resource Management and will focus on various natural resource inventory, monitoring, restoration, and research projects. Work will occur as an individual and in a team setting; field and office based; and conducted all three SEAZ parks.
The member will be assigned 1-2 principal projects based on the member’s interest and experience but will also assist with other resource management projects and routine activities. Projects include watershed restoration and monitoring, cave microclimate and condition monitoring, mapping, and restoration, weather station monitoring and troubleshooting, geohazard mapping, native plant/habitat restoration, GIS and data management, air quality monitoring, hydrological monitoring, border impacts assessment and mitigation, landscape photography, and analyzing/summarizing current and past research.
KEYWORDS: Cave, air quality, hydrological monitoring, geological monitoring, geomorphology
DELIVERABLES
Members will take on projects that address natural resource management issues while gaining high-quality work experience that fosters the next generation of diverse park stewards.
1. Data on water resources, restoration monitoring, erosion, microclimate, weather and other variables will be collected and organized in existing park databases.
2. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be created for new project work.
3. Data will be analyzed and added to ongoing and final reports.
4. Comprehensive resumes will be developed for each member with staff help to prepare for future resource management careers.
5. A final presentation to park staff and/or agency partners will be produced.
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
• Applicants must have completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in geology, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
• Ability to use ArcGIS and online GIS (e.g., ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, Google Maps) for developing, managing, and displaying spatial data, including mapping, querying, and illustrating encroachment locations. Applicant must have taken at least one course in GIS.
• Ability to use standard office software such as Excel, Word, etc.
• Good data organization skills and detail oriented.
• Ability to work collaboratively with other in a group with a diverse backgrounds and skills.
• Possesses strong initiative and is able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Coursework in Geomorphology or related courses.
• Applicants must have an interest in and ability to work in rural locations; having cave experience is preferred but not necessary.
• Must be physically able to work in rugged terrain and extreme temperatures.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Coronado National Memorial is located 20 miles south of Sierra Vista, Arizona at the southern end of the Huachuca Mountains, one of the region's sky island mountains. The nearest amenities (groceries/bank/etc.) would be found ~20 miles/25 mins away. Topography in most parts of the memorial is steep, climbing from 4,593 feet in the grassland plain to 7,709 feet at Montezuma Peak. The geology of the area is complex, with high angle reverse vaults juxtaposing sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.
Fort Bowie NHS is located 37 miles from Willcox, Arizona (population 3,700). Elevations at Fort Bowie range from 4,550 to 5,250 feet, the upper elevational limit for the deserts, and a transition zone from grassland to woodland habitat types.
Chiricahua National Monument is located 37 miles from Willcox. Chiricahua contains rhyolitic rock formations found nowhere else and protects richly diverse cultural resources. Elevations range from 5,124 to 7,310 feet. Temperatures in the area range from 60-100 degrees in the summer and 0-50 degrees in the winter. Cooler temperatures are expected at higher elevations.
Office and field work required. Prospective participants are advised that due to its location near the international border with Mexico, conditions for conducting work are unique. Illegal activity takes place throughout the park in the form of drug smuggling and illegal immigration. Employees must take extra precautions to assure the security of their equipment, vehicles, and persons. The job may involve strenuous physical activity (steep hiking for several hours), and exposure to heights and to weather extremes. The participant will receive training in backcountry hiking and safety.
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. The park will provide housing in a 3-bedroom mission 66 ranch house at Coronado National Memorial. Housing is shared with other staff, members, and visiting crews. Communal and shared spaces may be mixed gender, but bedrooms are private. Houses contain a kitchen with amenities. Bedding (queen bed) and toiletries will not be provided.
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 Coronado National Memorial 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!”