POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4414
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Everglades National Park, Kotzebue, Alaska
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/18/2026
End Date: 5/17/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 700.00 per week, fixed rate
- Relocation Allowance: $ 1,100.00 (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)
- For 52-week positions only:
- Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
- Childcare Coverage (opt in)
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: Wilderness, Wilderness Character, Monitoring, Stewardship, Preservation, Resource Management
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The deliverables of this project are directly related to the NPS mission and Organic Act mandate to preserve natural and cultural resources, as well as the statutory mandate of the Wilderness Act to preserve wilderness character. With over 80% of all NPS acreage managed as wilderness, wilderness character monitoring serves an important purpose for the majority of NPS lands and waters. This monitoring establishes a baseline condition from which changes and trends in wilderness character can be tracked over time. Wilderness character preservation is directly associated with the NPS mission to 'conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.' This mission statement is remarkably similar to the policy statement in the Wilderness Act which states that wilderness areas 'shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character, and for the gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and enjoyment as wilderness.' This service opportunity's contributions to wilderness character preservation in two wilderness parks will benefit the parks' wilderness areas, broader natural and cultural resources, and the people who connect to these places.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This 52-week service opportunity will support wilderness character monitoring and broader wilderness stewardship at Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR) and Everglades National Park (EVER). The participant is expected to spend approximately six months at each park, starting at CAKR in May 2026.
Over 80 percent of all National Park Service (NPS) lands are managed as federal wilderness per the Wilderness Act and NPS wilderness policy. The concept of wilderness character, which is referenced in the Wilderness Act, is one of the most prominent attributes that distinguishes federal wilderness from other federal public lands. Wilderness character is defined as a holistic concept based on the interaction of (1) biophysical environments primarily free from modern human manipulation and impacts, (2) personal experiences in natural environments relatively free from the encumbrances of modern society, and (3) symbolic meanings of humility, restraint, and interdependence that inspire human connection with nature.
Projects at CAKR will center on developing their Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report, which includes the Wilderness Basics and the baseline assessment for monitoring wilderness character in the park. These building blocks provide managers with the foundation for effectively integrating wilderness character into planning, management, and monitoring. The Wilderness Basics succinctly describes fundamental information about a specific wilderness area, like the eligible wilderness at CAKR, consolidating key reference information in one location. The Wilderness Basics include 1) background information; 2) wilderness character narrative; and 3) issues for future wilderness stewardship planning. The wilderness character baseline assessment, and accompanying monitoring framework, establishes a pathway to track change in wilderness character over time. This gives managers a tangible means of answering the question, 'Are we preserving wilderness character?'
Projects at EVER will center on conducting the park's first five-year monitoring interval for wilderness character in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Wilderness, informed by their baseline assessment completed in 2022. Monitoring involves 1) revisiting every measure originally selected in the park's baseline assessment, ensuring these measures and the overall framework are in compliance with current NPS wilderness policy and continue to reflect high priority wilderness stewardship issues for the park; 2) determining a current reported measure value for every measure in the monitoring framework. This monitoring may include data collection, collation, and/or analysis. Monitoring will be documented to compare baseline assessment measure values to the current reported measure values, noting changes or trends in overall wilderness character. Other projects supporting wilderness stewardship may also be included.
In both parks, the project will involve extensive collaboration and coordination with park staff to identify interdisciplinary priorities for wilderness stewardship that help to preserve wilderness character and address high priority needs and concerns of each park.
NOTE: This is primarily an indoor, office-based position, with potential for occasional outdoor field projects.
DELIVERABLES
The participant will be responsible for completing the following tasks:
Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR):
1) Develop a wilderness character narrative describing the attributes of the park’s wilderness; 2) Develop a wilderness character monitoring framework and related baseline assessment, including measures and associated data, to help identify changes and trends in wilderness character over time. These components will be documented in the Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report, with baseline measures values entered in the national wilderness character monitoring database. If time allows, review/update existing Wilderness Character Building Blocks Reports for two other wilderness parks adjacent to CAKR (Kobuk Valley National Park and Noatak National Preserve).
Everglades National Park (EVER):
1) Complete the first five-year monitoring interval for wilderness character, following the monitoring framework described in the park's 2022 Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report; 2) Document the current reported measure values in the Wilderness Character Monitoring Five-Year Reporting Summary and make note of observed changes and trends relative to the baseline assessment. This reporting will also be entered in the national wilderness character monitoring database. If time allows, support the development of wilderness interpretive programming and trip planning for visitors.
All deliverables will be developed in accordance with the National Park Service Wilderness Character Monitoring Technical Guide (2023) and Keeping It Wild 2: An Updated Interagency Strategy to Monitor Trends in Wilderness Character Across the National Wilderness Preservation System (2015).
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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree is preferred but not required, and a master’s degree would be most welcomed. Two years of college level academic work may be considered. Preferred academic fields include but are not limited to wilderness management; natural resources management; parks and outdoor recreation management; natural, biological, and/or physical sciences; environmental science; and political or social science. Preferred skills include technical writing, data management, verbal and written communication skills, fluency in Microsoft Office applications, and comfort with self-initiated projects. A strong acumen in GIS applications, resource monitoring concepts, and digital and physical records management is also preferred. The participant's projects will require close collaboration with interdisciplinary staff specialists at the park. Interpersonal communication and collaboration skills will enhance the participant's ability to successfully achieve their deliverables. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Cape Krusenstern: Park headquarters is located in Kotzebue (Qikiqtaġruk), AK, a town of ~3,500 people. Notably, we are not connected to a road or highway system. Though there is a small road network in town and on the peninsula, you cannot drive to Kotzebue from anywhere else. All travel into Kotzebue is by commercial jet airline, with regular daily service by 737 jet on Alaska Airlines from Anchorage. 75% of the population in Kotzebue is Iñupiat, whose ancestors have made this area home for over 10,000 years. The Iñupiat have rich cultural traditions and many hunt, fish, trap and gather from the land and sea. The cost of living here is high as nearly everything is flown in by jet. There are three well-stocked grocery stores, however, basic items like milk and bread cost double the price you’d pay in the continental United States. At times there may be low stock of fresher foods. There is a mail service for produce you can opt into if desired. Weather conditions vary between May and September. Summers are short in the Arctic, but beautiful, with average highs in the 50s and 60s and plenty of warm days for people to splash on the beaches and tube on Sadie Creek. The sun rises on June 10th and does not set until July 10th. Octobers and Novembers are dark and cold, and a 'shoulder season' when the ice is forming, which limits local travel. Travel by boat and snowmachine open the world up to you from Kotzebue. Kotzebue is surrounded by tundra, which presents excellent bird watching, berry picking, and a challenging hike. AT&T and GCI cell service projects in Kotzebue—though there have been issues with fiber cables being cut by sea ice recently. Most businesses utilize Starlink to stay online.
*NOTE: A personal vehicle is NOT required for the CAKR portion of the service opportunity.
Everglades: Everglades National Park, located in southern Florida, is a one-of-a-kind subtropical wilderness and the largest of its kind in the United States. Spanning over 1.5 million acres, the park is a vast network of wetlands, mangroves, sawgrass marshes, and coastal estuaries. It's home to an extraordinary wide variety of wildlife, including alligators, manatees, dolphins, and the elusive Florida panther. The park is both accessible and remote, especially in the Flamingo District where this position will be based. Cell reception is only available for AT&T customers. WiFi is available at the marina store, visitor center, and restaurant in Flamingo. WiFi is not available in the provided park housing. The nearest services are found in Florida City and Homestead, which are located approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from Flamingo. There you can find all amenities including multiple grocery stores, gas stations, a hospital, restaurants, etc. The marina store in Flamingo offers some supplies and food items but is more expensive. Mosquitoes, no-see-ums, and other biting bugs are notoriously bad in Flamingo, but less so during the winter season. Other wildlife seen in abundance in the area includes crocodiles, manatees, snakes, and a wide variety of birds, including rare sightings of American flamingos.
*NOTE: A personal vehicle is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED for the EVER portion of the service opportunity, as there is no public transit in Flamingo. Not having a vehicle will require carpooling for amenities with co-workers who are also living in the park housing.
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 NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Cape Krusenstern: Park housing IS available at no cost to the participant. Housing will be a shared unit, with your own room. You can walk to service site from park housing. Depending on the assigned unit, the walk can be 200 feet or 1/2-mile one way. NPS has a bike check out system and a small gym for staff located near the office with various options for weights, a treadmill, a rowing machine, 2 barres, etc.
Everglades: Park housing IS available at no cost to the participant. participant will be housed in the Flamingo District of Everglades National Park. The provided housing is located along Florida Bay and raised on stilts. Each unit contains a common area and at least one bathroom. Units may be shared. The Flamingo District is home to a small community of year-round residents and a vibrant seasonal community representing all NPS divisions, as well as concessionaires and park partners. Housing is within walking distance of the visitor center and office.
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 Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Everglades 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!”
