POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4433
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Buffalo National River, Harrison, Arkansas
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 7/6/2026
End Date: 11/23/2026
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: riparian restoration, river cane, remote sensing, GIS
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. River cane is a critically important habitat that provides many ecological and cultural benefits. Canebrakes provide essential habitat for wildlife such as deer and bears, as well as specialists that rely exclusively on river cane for food, including six species of skippers and other butterflies (creole pearly eye, southern pearly eye, southern swamp skipper, cobweb little skipper, cane little skipper, and yellow little skipper). Bird species such as Swainson's warbler and Bachman's warbler heavily rely on canebrakes for nesting and cover. Canebrakes also stabilize stream banks and floodplains with their dense mats of rhizomes and roots, preventing soil erosion and sedimentation in adjacent waterways. The structure of canebrakes slows water flow during flood events, allowing deposition of sediment before it enters the waterway as well as filtering nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus from the water. Dense stands of river cane can deter invasive species spread along riparian corridors. River cane is also a culturally significant resource for many Native American tribes in the Southeast, used for making a wide variety of items including blowguns, baskets, mats, and tools. Once abundant throughout the southeastern United States, giant river cane (Arundinaria gigantea) has been reduced to less than 2% of its original extent prior to colonial agricultural expansion. However, as one of the last remaining undammed rivers of its size in the continental U.S., Buffalo National River is an excellent location to promote river cane restoration where there is great potential to improve wildlife habitat, reduce erosion, improve water quality, and promote protection of cultural resources and traditions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Buffalo National River is searching for a well-rounded individual who is interested in being part of an interdisciplinary team of natural resource professionals working to restore and protect America’s first National River. Primary duties of the Natural Resource Management Assistant will be to create a map and prioritized list of potential river cane restoration sites. The SIP participant will review historic General Land Office maps from the 1800s to identify historic canebrakes; use remote sensing and GIS data to map the extent of current canebrakes compared to their historic range; conduct field projects to ground-truth maps; prioritize canebrakes for restoration to promote riparian function and bank stabilization; and educate the public about the importance of river cane. This project involves an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to natural resource management by evaluating historic maps and contemporary, remotely sensed data, by implementing field projects to ground-truth maps, and by working with partners to identify, prioritize, and restore river cane on Buffalo National River.
DELIVERABLES
The SIP participant would complete a number of deliverables; however, the primary would be spatial data, a map and report summarizing the extent of canebrakes and prioritized locations for cane restoration on the Park. Additional deliverables include clean and properly filed data, spatial data products, and an ESRI StoryMap (or equivalent Geographic Information System [GIS] product) summarizing the project. The participant will gain an understanding of the NPS mission riparian habitats, and restoration techniques. The participant will create and deliver a presentation to Park management team, employees, and the regional Natural Resources working group summarizing position accomplishments and project results. The participant would have opportunities to engage in other relevant natural resource working groups as desired, including various natural resources, water quality monitoring, and compliance teams.
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 best qualified applicants will have or be pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in areas such as environmental science, GIS, biology, ecology, hydrology, botany or other land management related degree path. Data management and analytical skills are desirable, including proficiency in Excel and GIS. Ability to work independently and to projects respectfully with others is critical. The individual selected for this position should possess the physical ability to hike in relatively steep terrain over long distances in inclement weather. Strong oral and written communication skills as well as leadership and teamwork are also desired. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident at least 18 years of age. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
This position will include office and field projects. The participant will be provided a desk and computer in a shared natural resource office space. Field conditions may include extreme hot or cold weather; snakes, ticks, and biting insects; and steep, rocky and/or brushy terrain. projects may require hiking long distances without improved trails. Footwear appropriate for hiking should be worn while in the field. field projects may require driving 4WD vehicles on unimproved roads. Natural Environment: The river is flanked by multi-colored bluffs of eroded sandstone, limestone and dolomite that tower in some places to heights over 400 feet. The karst geology of the region is reflected in a landscape marked by numerous caves, cliffs, sinkholes, waterfalls, springs, and rock formations. A wide variety of plant and animal species are supported by the breadth of habitats found along the river, influenced by varied elevations, soil types, moisture levels and exposure. A wide range of cultural resources and historic sites are protected within the national river, including prehistoric village and shelter sites, historic farmsteads, mining sites, and Civilian Conservation Corps structures. Park headquarters is located in Harrison (Boone County), Arkansas. Park visitation has averaged more than 1 million visitors over the past several years. Along with water-based activities, the Park offers more than 100 miles of hiking trails.
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 will be available in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with shared kitchen, washer and dryer in Jasper, Arkansas. Other options may be available upon request. The participant will share a furnished single-family home with seasonal Park staff members and/or other participants but will have access to their own private lockable bedroom. The kitchen, bathroom, and living room will be shared between house occupants. The participant will need to bring kitchen, bathroom, and bed linens. Some dishes and utensils will be available, but the participant may wish to bring additional kitchen items. Limited groceries and amenities are available in Jasper, and more selections and services are available 30 minutes’ drive away in Harrison, Arkansas. Park headquarters in Harrison is approximately a 30-minute (17 miles) drive from Park housing.
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 Buffalo National River.
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!”
