POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4457
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry, Iowa
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 6/1/2026
End Date: 8/24/2026
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: $ 700.00 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: Public Outreach, Volunteer, Planning,
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will have a lasting impact by providing volunteer opportunities for various levels of ability and commitment, as well as interests. We have had people offering to volunteer their time however we struggle with having a project or opportunity ready to be offered in a timely manner. Our staff has limited time to write up new volunteer agreements and organize safety and general training for the volunteers. We want to be able to provide volunteer opportunities for all abilities, most projects are physically demanding and exclude otherwise willing participants. By having a variety of volunteers opportunities on file we can immediately engage interested participants and have a plan ready for staff to implement with minimal extra effort. Implementing an intentional recruitment plan can help build our volunteer base and create opportunities for larger volunteer-based projects. Through volunteer recruitment we can gain extra hands/time to help complete park projects, engage with the local community, promote landscape level conservation through education and action, and improve the natural resources of the park.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The participant will serve with resources staff to develop several position descriptions for volunteers. The park has many facets of natural resources that could benefit from volunteer service (e.g. invasive species control, surveys, habitat improvement, etc.). There are also possibilities for group volunteer events or projects. The participant will create, write, organize, and plan these opportunities so they can be offered to interested people/groups or advertised during events. In addition to this, the participant will provide a volunteer recruitment plan for the park to implement through advertising and events.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverable includes written Position Descriptions for several volunteer positions developed with resources staff. Each PD will include the estimated physical labor level, time commitment, training, and training time/supervision required of staff. The associated volunteer agreements will adhere to current guidelines and include resources for staff to easily update them. Additionally, a plan for volunteer recruitment will be developed for the park to implement through advertising or events.
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
Degree: Some college, preferably in a field pertaining to natural resources or management. Skills: interpersonal, highly communicative, ability to follow written/ oral instructions, detailed writing, project management experience, well organized, creative, experience working with volunteers, experience in natural and/or cultural resources
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Service environment will consist of office projects and limited field projects. Effigy Mounds is located in NE Iowa. Weather is moderate with hot and humid temperatures in the summer and cold and snowy in the winter. The Park is located 3mi north of the nearest town (Marquette, IA) and about 10miles NW of a larger populated town (Prairie Du Chien, WI). Prairie Du Chien has the most amenities such as Grocery stores, banks, and hardware stores.
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 NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
No housing is available at this time.
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 Effigy Mounds National Monument.
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!”
