POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4435
Position Title: Natural Resource Management 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: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/4/2026
End Date: 5/3/2027
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: $ 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)
- 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: Data Management, Research, GIS, Monitoring
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The NPS and RMNP rely on an adaptive management framework that utilizes research and monitoring information to inform decision-making. This position would increase the CDRLC's efficiency and ability to proactively acquire research data from partners and quickly respond to data request from a variety of workgroups and Divisions across the park to help inform their operations.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SIP participant will contribute within the Continental Divide Research Learning Center (CDRLC) in Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to support a variety of data collection, management, and reporting efforts that support science-informed decision making at the park. The CDRLC houses the park research program and visitor experience monitoring program; as such the duties associated with this position include assisting with data collection efforts by the CDRLC and external researchers as needed; conducting data QA/QC and managing field data collected using ESRI field maps and paper datasheets; assisting with visitor experience monitoring data analysis and reporting; assisting with soliciting and tracking deliverables from external research partners; developing/updating GIS layers associated with research installations and research collections; and overseeing the CDRLC's tablet collection.
DELIVERABLES
High quality visitor experience datasets (7), completion of routine analyses, data management, and file organization in compliance with Standard Operating Procedures; develop new analyses for year over year comparisons for select monitoring locations; contribute to final reports for each dataset.
Develop one new GIS layer to monitor research collection location/quantities; update existing research installation monitoring GIS layer with 2023-2025 data.
Bring research reporting systems up to date with interim reports, final reports, and final datasets acquired from at least 80% of projects.
We are also open to innovation and the development of a unique product to support science-based decision-making in RMNP.
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 entails a high level of responsibility and initiative. The candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree in a science related area, such as social science, environmental science, geography (GIS specific) or related. Desired qualifications that are essential include the ability to work efficiently, independently, be detail oriented and organized. Previous experience organizing and leading research efforts is preferred. Good leadership skills and commitment to program mission are essential. The candidate should have experience with data management and GIS.
The most qualified applicant will possess:
• Coursework or Bachelor’s degree in ecology, GIS, recreation management, natural resources, and/or human dimensions
• Demonstrate the ability to carry out research independently;
• Experience collecting data using GPS and mapping/analyzing spatial data in ArcGIS;
• Ability to write a scientific report including basic data display and analysis;
• The ability to work independently, self-organize, and be a critical thinker
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Rocky Mountain National Park embraces 415 square miles of pristine, uninhabited mountains in north-central Colorado and, as such, is one of the most spectacular, yet easily accessible high mountain areas. The park encompasses glacier-sculptured valleys, rugged gorges, alpine lakes, and vast areas of alpine tundra. Summer weather is generally sunny with frequent afternoon lightning showers. Recreational activities in the park include scenic drives, 355 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, climbing, fishing, and wildlife watching.
The gateway community of Estes Park is located at 7,500 feet and located ~5 miles from park headquarters. The town has several grocery stores, a library, restaurants, a hospital, and several clinics, doctor and dentist offices. Recreational and educational opportunities in town include educational classes through the library and adult education learning program, a running club, walking trails and bike paths, and trivia, events, seasonal festivals, and activities that many park staff attend as groups. The Denver metropolitan area is a 2-hour drive and provides a spectrum of amenities and an international airport. projects will involve both office and field projects.
Field projects include hiking on and off trails in steep, mountainous terrain up to 12,000 feet elevation with possible exposure to inclement weather (hot or cold temperatures, wind, rain, snow, and lightning). The SIP Assistant could encounter wildlife such as elk, moose, and black bear. Shared office space will be provided and will include a varied desk platform allowing for sitting and standing, computer, phone line, and close access to a shared printer.
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.
Housing will be provided at Rocky Mountain National Park. The Natural Resource Management Assistant will have individual sleeping space with a shared bathroom within a house, cabin, or dormitory. The Assistant needs to provide their own bedding/linens. Shared kitchen space is stocked with basic cookware (pots, pans, etc.) and basic tableware (plates, cups, cutlery). All park housing is located adjacent to the town of Estes Park. More details will be available after a candidate is selected.
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 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!”
