POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4383
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Mosca, Colorado
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/18/2026
End Date: 08/10/2026
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: $ 700.00 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: Night Sky, Dark Sky Monitoring, Astronomy Programming, Interpretation, Public Speaking, Field Data Collection, Field Assistant
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position supports the endeavors of Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve in both a physical sciences and communication & education scope for the Scientists in Parks Program. This position participates directly with The Interpretation and Education Branch or team to interpret the night sky to park visitors and works with the Resource Management Branch for measuring and analyzing how dark the night skies are at the park through Unihedron data. The Success of these two endeavors of education and resource condition for night sky are key requirements for maintaining the gold tier status as an International Dark Sky Park at Great Sand Dunes.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Natural Resource Assistant at Great Sand Dunes has the opportunity to conduct projects with both the public education (interpretation), and physical science resource management (RM) functions of the park. The SIP participant will have the ability to conduct projects half time directly with NPS staff scientists and resource specialists and half time with interpretation and education (I&E) ranger staff.
Primary tasks with the Resource Management (RM) Branch involve:
- Collecting night sky measurements using a sky quality meter (SQM) on moonless nights, providing Great Sand Dunes with crucial information to maintain the status as a Gold Tier International Dark Sky Park.
- Collecting and downloading night sky readings from the automated Unihedron system from six stations located around the park
- Gathering hydrological data by assisting with field checking of gauging sites and monitoring wells. Duties include surveying gauging structures, wells and reference structures.
- Assisting park geologist with surveying dune heights (GPS and conventional methods)
- Assisting visiting park researchers as opportunities when needed, such as pika research ongoing in 2026.
- Data entry and Processing for night sky readings, water level data, water flow data, wind speed and direction, GPS data, dune height data and other data sets.
Primary Tasks with Interpretation and Education (IEVS) Branch Include assisting with visitor center operations, informal interpretation, night sky evening program, and night sky outreach events. This position will foster a deeper connection and understanding of the Great Sand Dunes.
- Assist with night sky themed community outreach.
- Assist with providing information, orientation, and interpretive opportunities at the visitor center
- Provide education to visitors of the park about night skies and other remarkable natural and cultural features of the park via formal interpretive presentations at the visitor center
- Prepare, and present formal interpretive night sky programs on astronomy and night sky quality research at the amphitheater.
- Engage younger visitors with the Junior Ranger program activity book.
- Participate in roving patrols and approach visitors at popular areas recreating in the park, initiating conversations that lead to understanding, appreciation, and safety such as heat, weather, sand temperature, altitude, dehydration, and sun exposure hazards.
DELIVERABLES
The SIP participant will produce two-night sky programs related to astronomy and night/dark sky resource preservation. The SIP will also compile and submit the required information and analysis report to the annual International Dark Sky for the park, including sky quality meter, Unihedron, and night sky public program attendance statistics.
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
This position is ideal for any degree-seeking college student, recent college graduate, current high school student, that has been taken any science and communication coursework. Desired skills include strong writing and verbal communication, ability to interface and engage with the public, ability to projects with basic computer skills, Microsoft software for compiling and analyzing data, ability to accurately read and record data from scientific equipment.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve (GRSA) is in southern Colorado and is the site of tall, majestic dunes backed by rugged mountains. It is an impressive landscape that has been managed by the National Park Service since 1932 as a national monument. Efforts from the park to characterize both natural and cultural resources eventually led to the creation of the expansion of the former monument to the current park and preserve in 2004. In 2019, the park and preserve was designated as a gold tier International Dark Sky Park. This position helps continue this legacy of resource stewardship and education to the public.
This position will service closely with both the Interpretation, Education & Visitor Services, and the Resource Management Branches of the park. This position has a combination of office time for data analysis, standing inside at a visitor center, outdoors in a public amphitheater setting at night, and in field settings with soft sand. Conditions on field days may involve walking on uneven ground and in soft sand in cool to warm temperatures with windy conditions. The position may require lifting of objects and equipment that could be up to 30 lbs. and being able to climb ladders to access night sky monitoring sensors. Position may require operation of 4WD vehicle in sandy conditions.
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 NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Park housing is highly unlikely to be available due to housing rehabilitation project underway this year. Preference given for local applicants. Housing in area is 37 miles away from the park, and can cost around $1000 monthly for local rentals.
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 Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve.
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!”
