POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4360, 4361
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Coronado National Memorial, Hereford, Arizona
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 09/07/2026
End Date: 09/06/2027
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: $ 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)
- 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: Cave, air quality, hydrological monitoring, geological monitoring, geomorphology
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position aligns with topics traditionally aligned with natural resource management including air quality, rapid environmental change, geological studies, hydrological studies, and GIS. The service accomplished by the SIP participant will tie into the NPS mission of preserving the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations by focusing on the restoration and monitoring of these resources.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The National Park Service's Southeast Arizona Group (SEAZ) includes Coronado National Memorial, Chiricahua National Monument, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. The trio of parks are managed by one leadership team, headed by a superintendent. SEAZ parks, near the US-MX border within the Madrean Archipelago, preserve significant cultural and natural resources in the United States. Anthropogenic and natural processes such as, border related disturbances and environment change, are adversely affecting resources, including: environments, wilderness, and landscape. These processes continuously impact the landscape, hydrology, and associated ecosystems—destroying vegetation, soil, and ecosystem variety.
This project will train youth participants to address ongoing natural resource disturbances. They will follow existing and develop new protocols for monitoring changes in the landscape, microclimate, ecosystems, and water resources, all while learning to navigate the geographical and sociological challenges present in the SEAZ parks. This project will enable youth participants to project alongside NPS subject matter experts and introduce them to potential career pathways in the NPS. The experiences and challenges of this project will help build future leaders in the field of resource management. The selected SIP participant will complete projects in the division of Resource Management and will focus on various natural resource inventory, monitoring, restoration, and research projects. Projects will occur as an individual and in a team setting; field and office based; and conducted all three SEAZ parks.
The SIP will be assigned 1-2 principal projects based on the their interest and experience but will also assist with other resource management projects and routine activities. Projects include watershed restoration and monitoring, cave microclimate and condition monitoring, mapping, and restoration, weather station monitoring and troubleshooting, geohazard mapping, native plant/habitat restoration, GIS and data management, air quality monitoring, hydrological monitoring, border impacts assessment and mitigation, landscape photography, and analyzing/summarizing current and past research.
DELIVERABLES
SIPs will take on projects that address natural resource management issues while gaining high-quality projects experience that fosters the next generation of ecological variety park stewards.
1. Data on water resources, restoration monitoring, erosion, microclimate, weather and other variables will be collected and organized in existing park databases.
2. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) will be created for new projects.
3. Data will be analyzed and added to ongoing and final reports.
4. Comprehensive resumes will be developed for each SIP participant with staff help to prepare for future resource management careers.
5. A final presentation to park staff and/or agency partners will be produced.
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
• Applicants must have completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in geology, environmental science, natural resources, or a related field.
• Ability to use ArcGIS and online GIS (e.g., ArcGIS Online, ArcPro, Google Maps) for developing, managing, and displaying spatial data, including mapping, querying, and illustrating encroachment locations. Applicant must have taken at least one course in GIS.
• Ability to use standard office software such as Excel, Word, etc.
• Good data organization skills and detail oriented.
• Ability to projects collaboratively with other in a group with a variety backgrounds and skills.
• Possesses strong initiative and is able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Coursework in Geomorphology or related courses.
• Applicants must have an interest in and ability to complete projects in rural locations; having cave experience is preferred but not necessary.
• Must be physically able to complete projects in rugged terrain and extreme temperatures.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Coronado National Memorial is located 20 miles south of Sierra Vista, Arizona at the southern end of the Huachuca Mountains, one of the region's sky island mountains. The nearest amenities (groceries/bank/etc.) would be found ~20 miles/25 mins away. Topography in most parts of the memorial is steep, climbing from 4,593 feet in the grassland plain to 7,709 feet at Montezuma Peak. The geology of the area is complex, with high angle reverse vaults juxtaposing sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.
Fort Bowie NHS is located 37 miles from Willcox, Arizona (population 3,700). Elevations at Fort Bowie range from 4,550 to 5,250 feet, the upper elevational limit for the deserts, and a transition zone from grassland to woodland habitat types.
Chiricahua National Monument is located 37 miles from Willcox. Chiricahua contains rhyolitic rock formations found nowhere else and protects richly ecological variety cultural resources. Elevations range from 5,124 to 7,310 feet. Temperatures in the area range from 60-100 degrees in the summer and 0-50 degrees in the winter. Cooler temperatures are expected at higher elevations.
Office and field duties required. Prospective participants are advised that due to its location near the international border with Mexico, conditions for conducting projects are unique. Illegal activity takes place throughout the park in the form of drug smuggling and illegal immigration. Employees must take extra precautions to assure the security of their equipment, vehicles, and persons. The position may involve strenuous physical activity (steep hiking for several hours), and exposure to heights and to weather extremes. The participant will receive training in backcountry hiking and safety.
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.
The park will provide housing in a 3-bedroom mission 66 ranch house at Coronado National Memorial. Housing is shared with other staff, interns, and visiting crews. Communal and shared spaces may be mixed gender, but bedrooms are private. Houses contain a kitchen with amenities. Bedding (queen bed) and toiletries will not be provided.
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 Coronado National Memorial.
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!”
