POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4298
Position Title: Education Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park, Colorado
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: No
Start Date: 08/17/2026
End Date: 11/09/2026
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: $ 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: Education, ecology, students, geology, field trips
PURPOSE
This Education Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The dedicated goals of ROMO's Natural Resource Stewardship division include the communication of stewardship principles and goals with park stakeholders, onsite visitors and virtual visitors. With annual visitation remaining at about 4.5 million visitors/year, the opportunity to share resource information is substantial. The Education Team at ROMO is also maximizing this park's digital outreach capacity to connect with students who cannot physically visit this place, sharing resource information that can be utilized while exploring nature here or anywhere. Thus, where many potential connection points are continually changing, this team is in a unique position to continue to address this ROMO Natural Resource Stewardship goal.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Scientist in Parks participant will perform as an Education Instructor in the Education and Outreach team at Rocky Mountain National Park. The program is based upon Colorado Education Standards and is used by over 100 schools and 10,000 students per year. The program has an emphasis on the park’s geologic and glacial history. The participant will prepare education field activities for a variety of grade levels, primarily grades K–10. Programs will be hands-on field studies and Distance Learning virtual experiences. Field studies usually last 3-5 hours and may occur in difficult weather conditions and will involve snowshoeing and other winter weather skills. The participant will also instruct prepared activities of ecology, history and other content areas. Rocky’s Foundations document puts forward our glaciers and mountainous landscape as significant features of this National Park. The NPS mission empowers us to preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. This position brings together these two ideas by educating youth on the geologic and ecologic processes that make Rocky a special place worth preserving. This position is offered through the National Park Service's Scientists in Parks (SIP) Program in partnership with Stewards Individual Placement Program (Stewards).
DELIVERABLES
The SIP participant will produce educational resources such as curriculum materials and video, program reflections for each program delivered, bi-weekly reports of self-reflective progress, and a final SIP report for partnering groups and agencies.
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
The applicant must have (or be in the process of achieving) an undergraduate degree in natural sciences; a solid foundation of earth sciences and ecological processes is vital. Applicants should have knowledge and experience with students or youth groups in settings such as parks, nature centers, museums, camps, schools, etc. The applicant must be a willing partner in a dynamic teaching team with others who are articulate and enthusiastic in their presentation manner. Because situations change frequently while educating children, the Scientists in Parks participant needs to be flexible and adapt readily. Bilingual speaking/listening skills are preferred, but not required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Natural Environment: Located about 65 miles northwest of Denver, Rocky Mountain National Park straddles the Continental Divide between 8,000 and 14,000 ft. elevation. Weather can change from summer-like to winter-like and back within hours. Service is often performed in cool or cold spring-time weather. The park is famous for its spectacular landscapes, abundant wildlife, and varied ecosystems. The town of Estes Park is a five-minute drive from the park and offers many modern amenities. Social opportunities in Boulder and Fort Collins are within an hour’s drive.
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.
Shared housing with 2-3 same-gender roommates in a dorm setting. Dorms have full kitchen facilities (except dishwasher), bathrooms, and living room. Participant needs to supply simple kitchen ware, linens and personal gear.
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 Education Assistant at Rocky Mountain 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!”
