POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4455
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Mount Rainier National Park, Ashford, Washington
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/3/2026
End Date: 9/20/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 2,817.14 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 600.00 per week, fixed rate
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
- Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
- Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: Hazard tree management, forest pathology, forest ecology, field science, data management
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Protecting public safety and forest ecosystems are critical components to the NPS mission. The rapid change in tree health at Mount Rainier is in an unprecedented state, and requires substantial field projects to document and manage. Surveying trees and proactively managing insects and disease outbreaks not only protects forest ecosystems, but also improves visitor safety throughout the Park. field projects results will directly support resource management at Mount Rainier and help Park Managers fully understand the state of our forest communities.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Mount Rainier National Park has more than 136,000 acres of forest. Forest ecosystems range from early seral communities to 1000 year old forests. Mount Rainier has outstanding examples of different forest communities, which are a primary feature that visitors seek to experience while visiting Mount Rainier. In the face of environmental changes, many areas in the Pacific Northwest are facing unprecedented tree mortality and forest change. At Mount Rainer, natural resource managers are actively monitoring tree mortality and implementing plans to mitigate damage to forest ecosystems. This position with assist in completing critical field projects and data management for Mount Rainier’s forestry and hazard tree management program.
The Scientists in Park (SIP participant) will participate as a technician in conjunction with the Parks hazard tree management specialist. The SIP participant will help survey trees within developed areas of the Park, collecting forest pathological data on tree damage, insects and disease. ArcGIS and Field Maps will primarily be used to collect and manage data. The SIP participant will summarize data on tree health and propose recommended management actions, including tree removal, thinning, and revegetation. The SIP participant will assist with developing vegetation management plans in developed areas in the face of changing forest conditions. Additionally, the SIP participant will help proactively protect Douglas-fir and Whitebark Pine forest resources at Mount Rainier through the use of pheromones such as Verbenone and MCH. The SIP participant will be a vital member of the MORA field team during the height of the summer visitation when forest management is paramount for visitor safety
DELIVERABLES
At the completion of the position, deliverable products will include: 1) Completed field projects for priority forested areas. 2) Data summarization and management (geospatial and standard). 3) Summaries of important trends in forest health, produced using analytical methods. 4) Presentation to park staff on participant experience highlighting field projects and observations.
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 host site.
- The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The participant should be interested in developing forestry and field science skills. Willingness or prior experience hiking in mountainous field settings is a must. Coursework in tree biology, dendrology, forest ecology, plant physiology are preferred. They should have a background or strong demonstrated interest in forestry, ecology, botany, or related fields and an interest in learning the full cycle of field data collection subsequent natural resource management.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Projects will be performed primarily in field settings. This field projects may occur outdoors in a variety of terrain. Fieldwork may require travel at high elevations on steep rocky slopes, in forests, streams, and wetland environments in a variety of weather conditions in wilderness, surrounding an active volcano. projects may include overnight travel, front- and backcountry camping. Rainier National Park is located approximately 2 hours south of Seattle, near the community of Ashford, WA. All services and amenities are available in the nearby communities of Packwood, Eatonville, or Morton. Limited services are available in Ashford, WA. The weather is considered moderate, but frequently overcast and rainy at lower elevations during fall, winter and spring, and early summer. At Longmire, the duty station of this position, substantial snowfall is common from November to May. Summers are normally sunny and pleasant with daytime temperatures ranging from the low 70s to low 80s and low humidity. You may visit the park’s website at https://www.nps.gov/mora.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS 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 may be provided at Longmire, the duty station of the position located within the park, or Tahoma Woods, approximately 16 west miles from Longmire, or Ohanapecosh (north of Packwood, WA). Public transportation is not available in the area and a personal vehicle is recommended for access to services or recreation. Furnished housing may be in a single apartment, shared two-bedroom apartment or a 2-3 bedroom house. The participant will need to bring bedding, kitchen supplies, towels, and other household items.
OUR COMMITMENT
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 based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off 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
- Member will receive pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff
EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps 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.
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 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/.
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 Scientists in Parks program will host the Natural Resource Management Assistant at Mount Rainier National Park.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations 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!”
