POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Montana

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: 05/12/2025

End Date: 09/29/2025

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 Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will ​​assist with Glacier’s digital platforms and products that inform and inspire our visitors on the unique and complex natural and cultural resources of the park and surrounding area. By combining our efforts through this collaborative position, the Interpretation Media and Volunteer Programs will create engaging, accurate, and in-depth content that highlights both current research/resource management, STEAM-related work, and Glacier’s untold stories of history and science. ​

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

​​The science interpretation/science communication member will enhance natural and cultural resource content via Glacier National Park’s digital platforms by assisting both Glacier National Park’s Interpretive Media Team and Glacier's Volunteer Office. The duties of this position include updating and adding new content to Glacier’s website and app; assisting with research and story creation for the park’s award-winning Headwaters Podcast; creating engaging social media posts highlighting science and STEAM (Artists-in-Residence works); and assisting in data collection for Glacier's Interpretive Signage Program. Other duties may include the following depending on the selected applicant’s strengths, experience, and interests: adding to the park’s image database, assisting with research, writing, and layout for park interpretive waysides, and helping with content creation and project management for social media reels and other video projects.


KEYWORDS: ​​Science interpretation, communication, visual information, website, social media​

DELIVERABLES

​​Final work products will somewhat depend on the selected individual’s strengths and interests but will most likely include: adding in-depth content such as relevant articles and links to Glacier’s History & Culture and Nature webpages; creating new content related to park resources and significance on the NPS app; highlighting research and science content on social media platforms; researching topics such as huckleberry ecology; and assisting Glacier's Artists-in-Residence Program in communication products such as posts, reels, and articles.


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
​​Applicants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students whose educational background and interests are in, or related to, the communications field. Coursework in history, biology, communications, or design desired. Applicants should have excellent writing skills, experience in researching natural and cultural history topics, interest or experience in website/app management, and enjoy working in a team environment.​

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

​​Physical/Natural Environment: Glacier National Park is located in the Northern Rocky Mountains, within the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem. Due to its mountain environment and its geographic area spanning the Continental Divide, the million-acre park has a vast array of habitats. Valley locations on both the east and west side of the Divide typically experience milder climates than higher elevations. The position will be located on the west side of the park within walking distance of the small community of West Glacier, MT. Some amenities exist in West Glacier, but more affordable grocery stores, gas, and restaurants are found in the nearby community of Columbia Falls (20 miles away). A car is recommended. Position Environment: The work is normally sedentary and requires long periods of stationary work at a computer workstation. However, some field work is required and may include moderate physical exertion on trails and walkways taking photos and video, capturing audio, and working with maintenance staff to install signs and exhibits.​


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. ​​Shared housing is provided and includes a private or shared bedroom, kitchen facilities, bathrooms, shared living space, and basic bedroom and living room furniture. The housing is typically located within the park’s headquarters compound in West Glacier, MT.​


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 Glacier 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!”