POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4419
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Shenandoah National Park, Luray, Virginia
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 6/29/2026
End Date: 9/21/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 1,956.35 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: GIS, pollinator, study design, monarch, protocol
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will contribute toward the conservation, management, research, and interpretation of ESA-listed and -candidate pollinator species and their habitat at Shenandoah National Park. Specifically, these species inhabit areas of the park that are heavily managed through mowing, tree removal, prescribed fire, and herbicide treatments for woody and invasive species. The park needs to understand the effects of these actions on the species for ESA consultation and determine opportunities to adjust management strategies to maximize habitat quality.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Shenandoah is seeking an SIP participant to assist the park in better understanding habitat quality and use for ESA-listed and candidate pollinator species present at the park (Endangered Rusty-patch bumblebee [Bombus affinis]; Candidate Monarch butterfly [Danaus plexippus]), and discovering opportunities to refine management practices to benefit these species.
DELIVERABLES
The specific deliverables that the participant will deliver will depend on the skill set and background of the selected candidate, but will further the park’s goals to collate existing information on potential habitat and management practices, to evaluate existing habitat and species survey protocols, and to develop a park-specific approach to modify and assess management practices.
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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A Bachelor’s Degree in natural resource management, biological science or related field of study (ex, botany, entomology, ecology) appropriate to the position; OR any combination of education, training, and/or experience that demonstrates that the applicant possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the job and is comparable to that normally acquired through successful completion of a 4-year degree program in an appropriate field of study. Proven experience with GIS software (e.g. ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.) and field-based GIS data collection required. Field survey experience and field survey design coursework or experience are also required. Familiarity or experience with Monarch Joint Venture GIS models and tools and/or USFWS or Xerxes Society Rusty Patch Bumblebee survey protocols strongly preferred. Willing and able to work outside across various habitat settings including roadside settings.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Luray, VA is 5 miles from Park Headquarters and has standard amenities like grocery stores, movie theater, shops, restaurants, library etc. A personal vehicle is required for transportation for personal needs (e.g., food shopping). The area is rural. There is no reliable public transportation. participant will have use of a government vehicle for service related travel. The schedule is typically Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm, with flexibility depending on project goals. The position is approximately 70% office and 30% field projects. Much of the service will be conducted in an air-conditioned office setting. Summer weather is hot, humid, and buggy though it can be cooler at elevation. Field hazards include biting insects (including ticks), venomous snakes, and uneven terrain. Permethrin-treated clothing is recommended in the field. PPE (treated gaiters) will be provided. Shenandoah National Park contains 196,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park contains 500 miles of trails, including 95 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and nearly 80,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Skyline Drive follows the ridge crest for 105 miles and connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Park supports approximately 1,400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 40 species of fish, over 230 taxa of aquatic invertebrates. For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit the NPS website.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park housing is provided at no cost to the participant. Housing consists of several homes with single or double occupancy bedrooms. Housing will most likely be at Park Headquarters in Luray, VA or at one of the developed areas in the park (ex, Skyland, Big Meadows). Laundry facilities and wifi are available at park housing locations. Cell phone reception is not reliable.
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 Shenandoah 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!”
