Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine

Can this position be fully remote: Yes

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/26/2025

End Date: 08/18/2025

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 Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will support resource managers who need scientific information to take informed actions in the face of threats to park resources. Citizen science can provide high-quality information that exceeds the capacity of resource managers and professional scientists. Such projects also help volunteers and visitors build intellectual and emotional connections to parks. Thus, citizen science can directly advance the NPS mission of conservation and public enjoyment, which is why NPS leaders advocate for it. But too little is known about the benefits and applications of citizen science in parks. There are many projects but comparatively little service-wide or public awareness about what they are, how they’re informing management, how participants benefit, or what can be replicated and adapted elsewhere. Thus, there is a set of tools that parks, if they knew more about them, could use to address diverse management needs – from climate change impacts on phenology to the dynamics of species invasions, and from non-point pollution of water to the movement of people on social trails. Parks that manage citizen science projects often lack staff capacity to communicate about them. Hence, a talented science writer able to dedicate 12 weeks of time to improving NPS’s and the public’s understanding of citizen science will help more people understand what’s in their toolbox for managing resources and engaging visitors across the Service.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This position fills a significant NPS-wide need for communicating to resource managers and public audiences about citizen science activities in national parks across the country. Citizen science is a rapidly growing and diversifying activity worldwide that is deeply relevant to the mission of the National Park Service. Good communication helps establish and reinforce that relevance. The Science Communication Assistant (member) will write and publish web articles for nps.gov/citizenscience that tell stories about citizen science projects, how they inform resource management, and how they engage diverse public audiences. The member will develop and apply skills in science writing by identifying topics, researching background information, contacting and interviewing key people, writing articles that highlight the benefits and limitations of citizen science for resource management, and undergoing peer review. The work is computer-based and involves extensive reading, writing, correspondence, and video meetings with a wide variety of people. While the position is based at Acadia National Park, articles will explore citizen science in other parks too – including those with resources, management challenges, and participant demographics not represented at Acadia. The member will routinely interact with experts in citizen science and science communication both in person at Acadia and remotely with NPS offices in Washington DC and elsewhere. They may also participate in citizen science projects at Acadia, which can inform how they approach articles about projects elsewhere. Key duties, responsibilities, and tasks include: 1) Participate in orientation activities for all members and fellows at Schoodic Institute and Acadia National Park. 2) Develop a general understanding of citizen science in the NPS by reading relevant policy and guidance documents, exploring existing content on NPS websites, and consulting with NPS Citizen Science Steering Committee members. 3) Become familiar with good practices for science communication and web writing in the NPS via internal online resources. 4) Work with Steering Committee to find and identify potential stories at parks across the country. 5) Pursue the most promising story opportunities, including those that are of greatest personal or professional interest to the member. 6) Develop article outlines, interview key participants, draft articles, acquire supporting images, revise and incorporate reviewers’ comments. 7) Participate in season close-out presentations and panel discussions with all members and fellows at Schoodic Institute and Acadia National Park.


KEYWORDS: Citizen science, communication, journalism, stories

DELIVERABLES

Final drafts (i.e. that incorporate peer review) of 3-5 articles as Word documents about current citizen science projects in parks across the country. Length is not prescribed, but likely in the range of 1,500 – 3,000 words each. Each article will draw from interviews with key project stakeholders and highlight the success, challenges, and “lessons learned” with respect to informing resource managers, engaging volunteers, and contributing to participants’ conservation interests. Each will be written for adult audiences (e.g. consistent with journalistic practices) to include NPS employees and science-interested members of the public. Each will be accompanied by photographs provided by stakeholders and cleared for use on nps.gov websites.


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
Applicants should be current graduate students, recent graduates, or senior undergraduate students. A degree or major in journalism or communications is desired; record of writing-intensive coursework and production of nonfiction writing products regardless of major; experience with writing for the web (which differs from writing for print media); experience with writing to inform, inspire, and tell stories; demonstrated ability to interview professionals via phone or video calls for purposes of obtaining background information and quotations in a final article; ability to synthesize information from a variety of sources and disciplines. A background in science is not required, but an interest in science and the ways in which it relates to society and people is desirable. Candidates invited to interview for the position will be asked to provide samples of their writing. The member should have the confidence and initiative to communicate with supervisors as necessary whenever questions, concerns, or successes arise. Since the member’s ability to get work done depends on the availability of many people across the country, they will need to be comfortable and productive working on multiple articles in various stages of development at any one time.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Acadia National Park preserves approximately 50,000 acres along the Maine coast. The park consists of portions of Mount Desert Island and Isle au Haut, the tip of the Schoodic Peninsula, and portions of 16 smaller islands. The maritime climate generally keeps summer daytime temperatures mild and nighttime temperatures cool. Hiking, biking, swimming, paddling, tidepooling, and sightseeing opportunities are endless. The member will be one of several similar-aged members and fellows working in science fields. The nearest town to the member's residence at the Schoodic Institute is Winter Harbor, about 6 miles from the campus. Winter Harbor has a gas station, small grocery store, restaurants, and shops. There is also a ferry from Winter Harbor to Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island (MDI), which has abundant restaurants, retail shops, groceries, and entertainment venues. Free shuttle buses on MDI provide access to many trailheads and other points of interest. Ellsworth, 30 miles from the Schoodic campus, is the biggest town in Downeast Maine and has a hospital, large grocery stores, hardware stores, and other amenities. Getting to Ellsworth requires a car--there is no public transportation from the campus or Winter Harbor to Ellsworth. Most of the work will occur in a comfortable modern office on the Schoodic Institute campus, amid other offices, laboratories, classrooms, library, dining hall, and recreation facilities. Local citizen science projects that the member may wish to join typically involve hiking on and off forest trails (including potentially wet areas) and walking in the rocky intertidal zone, which involves traversing large boulders that may be wet or covered with slippery vegetation.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant will not need 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 includes a private bedroom in a furnished apartment on the NPS Research Learning Center and Schoodic Institute campus on the Schoodic Peninsula. The apartment will be shared with one or more other members and includes a full kitchen (with dishes, pans, etc.), full bathroom, and living room. The campus has wireless internet, facilities for laundry, and is within easy walking distance of the ocean and trails. The member should bring personal items, including toiletries, laundry supplies, bedding, and linens. A bicycle is also helpful, as much of the Schoodic Peninsula, including Winter Harbor and park multi-use trails, are accessible by bicycle. Getting to most off-campus services requires a car. Images of the campus and lodging are available at SchoodicInstitute.org.


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 Acadia National 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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