POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4409
Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Inventory and Monitoring Division, Fort Collins, California
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 7/6/2026
End Date: 7/5/2027
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: $ 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)
- 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: writing,communication,visual information,web content, graphics
PURPOSE
This Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will help raise awareness of how NPS natural resource inventories and monitoring can and are contributing to improved park management, especially in the face of accelerated changing conditions. The Inventory & Monitoring Program has collected scientific information on NPS natural resources for nearly two decades, but the dissemination of information about the program’s impact has sometimes proved challenging, in part due to a lack of capacity for science communication. Yet science communication is essential for significant conservation impact. This position represents one way to help to fill that gap. The participant will serve directly with the program’s Science Communications Team and convey information intended for public audiences. There will be an opportunity to build templates and create model content that can further increase capacity for future communications.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The proposed position would be responsible for writing and producing web articles, social media content, and internal communications that convey key stories about the impact of natural resource inventories and monitoring (I&M) in selected NPS units across the nation. Articles will be based on existing documents, research, and interviews with NPS scientists and other staff. They will be geared toward public audiences, and focus on telling the story of ways in which long-term natural resource monitoring is impacting or has impacted park decisions, management, and conservation strategies. Social media content will be produced in collaboration with staff from multiple offices. The successful candidate will gain experience with science writing, editing, and interviewing; use of HTML, graphics software, and content management systems; and 508 compliance. The position will support the Inventory & Monitoring Program’s Science Communications Team, and be remote.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables include multiple web articles of ~1,000 words in length, with accompanying graphics, to be published via the NPS content management system and archived in an agency online platform, (2) social media posts and stories to promote each article, and (3) internal promotion of the articles and creation of other I&M-related content, such as news items and the program's newsletter, via SharePoint.
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
This position requires strong reading comprehension, research, and writing skills suitable to translate technical scientific content into compelling stories for variety audience. It would be appropriate for a journalism student or someone with a liberal arts background, particularly someone interested in environmental journalism or science writing. A commitment to, and ability to convey, the meaning of ecological science in the 21st century is desired. Science writing experience is essential, with exceptional command of American English grammar. Experience with HTML is preferred, as is experience with running and generating content for social media accounts. An interest in the National Park Service and learning and innovating while working alongside a team of NPS and partnering scientists is essential, as is the patience and desire to learn about the practice of communication within a federal bureaucracy and its sideboards of policy and optics.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The service environment is primarily an office setting and can require long periods of sitting. This service opportunity is based in the NPS office located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The office is located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains and sits at an altitude of approximately 5,000 feet. The weather in Fort Collins is generally mild in the spring and hot/dry in the summer. There is great access to hiking, biking, fishing, and other outdoor activities, although a car may be needed to enjoy some of these activities. It is considered a bike-friendly community, with miles of bike trails throughout the city. Because Fort Collins is a college town, there are many great restaurants and breweries to explore, and plenty of grocery stores and shopping opportunities. The nearest airport is located in Denver, which is a little over an hour away.
Ability to serve collaboratively in an online environment will be key. A government laptop would be furnished for access to collaboration and publication software.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Nearby housing options in Fort Collins and the surrounding towns include apartments and room rentals. Rent costs start at around $900/month for a room in a shared house to $1200/month for an apartment, and vary depending on furnishings, amenities, and location. Fort Collins is home to colleges and universities, so sublet options may be available. Colorado State University and Front Range Community College are in Fort Collins. A few websites that list available rentals are Apartments.com, Roomster.com, and Zillow.com. For reference, the Fort Collins office location is within the zip code 80525.
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 Science Communication Assistant at Inventory and Monitoring Division.
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!”
