POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4317
Position Title: Interpretive Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/03/2026
End Date: 09/20/2026
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: interpretation, education, communication, visitor services, customer service, science, culture, history
PURPOSE
This Interpretive Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The purpose of Olympic National Park is to preserve for the benefit, use, and enjoyment of the people, the finest sample of primeval forests of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, Douglas-fir, and western red cedar in the entire U.S.; to provide suitable winter range and permanent protection for herds of native Roosevelt elk and other wildlife indigenous to the area; to conserve and render available to the people, for recreational use, this outstanding mountainous country, containing numerous glaciers and perpetual snow fields, and a portion of the surrounding verdant forests together with a narrow strip along the beautiful Washington coast. The SIP participant will have opportunities to contribute to resource management issues in: Natural Sciences, Social Sciences, and Communication & Education. Within these, the position will more specifically address: resource interpretation and education; social and scientific literacy; visitor services; natural and cultural processes; and, the impacts of anthropogenic disturbances on park resources and systems. Concerning the latter, environment change is a significant threat to the park resources. Meanwhile, dam removal and watershed/fisheries restoration are ongoing park projects that seek to remove or mitigate destructive human impacts to the park and its resources and restore natural and cultural values to the landscape. Understanding and communicating these issues to park visitors and stakeholders is a primary interpretive message for park staff. The SIP will help educate and prepare the visiting public with the tools and techniques (including civil discourse) to appreciate, observe, and protect natural and cultural resources and processes within the park and in their local communities.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SIP's position will be in and around the Port Angeles area of Olympic National Park under the Division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers, primary emphasis for this position will be placed on resource interpretation, communication, and visitor services that highlight the park’s management priorities, fundamental resource values, and primary interpretive themes. The SIP participant will have opportunities to interact with field scientists, resource managers, resource interpreters, and visitors to conduct primary and secondary research related to the park’s natural and cultural/historical resources. In this context, the SIP will be encouraged to interpret and engage with the visiting public around the social, cultural, economic, and political impacts of these resources and processes, and their intangible meanings. The SIP will develop and present at least two different interpretive programs or products to visiting audiences on multiple occasions throughout the busy summer season, as well as provide frontline customer services at visitor contact stations.
The SIP will gain a basic understanding of the National Park Service (NPS) organizational structure, and of current professional standards concerning the NPS Foundations of Interpretation, including audience-centered engagement (ACE) strategies and dialogic techniques. One area of focus will be learning to conduct projects in a team setting with park rangers/interpreters in a dynamic park operation. The project will support the overall goals of ensuring sustainable park operations, and of communicating park information and values to the public in an effort to foster stewardship for park resources and bring awareness to important environmental and social issues.
DELIVERABLES
The SIP participant will have opportunities to interact with field scientists, resource managers, resource interpreters, and visitors to conduct primary and secondary research related to the park’s natural and cultural/historical resources, as well as their social, cultural, economic, and political implications. Limited opportunities for participating in field projects with park scientists may also be available. The SIP may be asked to help develop and/or revise standard operating procedures (SOPs), job hazard analyses (JHAs), and/or interpretive training guides focused on science communication techniques and best practices to be used by current and future resource interpreters. The SIP will develop at least two formal, thematic interpretive programs/products to be delivered to visitor audiences in an amphitheater setting (e.g., evening campground programs) and/or in other interpretive contexts (e.g., interpretive talks, pop-ups, etc.). In addition, the SIP will develop short submissions or vignettes throughout the summer to be used on park social media detailing their experience. A final report and/or presentation at the end of the position will be produced to share with park leadership team and other divisions to highlight the service, contributions, and experience of the SIP.
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
(a) Degree and/or experience in natural (physical, biological) science, social science, history, and/or related disciplines; (b) awareness of resource interpretation methods and goals, particularly for the National Park Service; (c) familiarity with Microsoft Office productivity software and applications.
A personal vehicle is recommended but not required for this position. Applicant must have a valid drivers license and a good driving record. If the SIP participant is required to drive a government-owned vehicle (GOV) for their position, a driving records search may be performed, and the SIP's ability to operate a GOV during duties hours will be contingent upon the results.
The SIP should be willing to live in a small-town environment with adjacent rural areas on the relatively isolated Olympic Peninsula, and complete projects during the day and/or night with colleagues and visitors in remote front country settings at Olympic National Park. The SIP should expect outdoor projects that sometimes includes walking/hiking on wet, slippery, muddy, and/or uneven and moderately steep trail surfaces during day or night shifts. Unpredictable weather can be windy, rainy, sunny and warm, and/or overcast and cool—all in one day.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Selected SIP candidate will live and conduct projects in/around Port Angeles, WA—the largest city (about 20,000 residents) in Clallam County, WA and a gateway community to Olympic National Park. All basic services are available in Port Angeles, including groceries, restaurants, gas, hospital, entertainment, etc.
Olympic National Park is famous for its extensive wilderness and variety of ecosystems, including sub-alpine, temperate rainforest, lowland forest, river valleys, and coast. Weather varies greatly but is typically wet in spring and fall, and mild and dry in summer.
The SIP participant will be conducting projects primarily at frontcountry sites in and around Port Angeles, including (but not limited to): Olympic National Park Visitor Center (indoor visitor center and shared office/workspace); Heart O' the Hills Campground (outdoor amphitheater); and Hurricane Ridge (indoor visitor center and shared office space, and adjacent outdoor sub-alpine meadows and trail systems with unobstructed views of night skies). Elevations at project locations range from near-sea level to over 5,000 feet. Outdoor projects can include walking/hiking on wet, slippery, muddy, and/or uneven and moderately steep trail surfaces during day and/or night shifts. Unpredictable weather can be windy, rainy, sunny and warm, and/or overcast and cool—all in one day. Shared office space will be provided at Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. Opportunities to perform field/site visits in other areas of the park, such as the rain forest and/or Pacific Coast will also be provided.
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.
Private room in dormitory-style facility with shared kitchen and bathroom. Occupant should bring cleaning supplies, toiletries, linens, cookware, and utensils. Rooms are fully furnished and facilities include major electrical appliances (e.g., refrigerator, stove, etc.).
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 Interpretive Assistant at Olympic 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!”
