POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4421, 4422
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Gulf Islands National Seashore, Ocean Springs, Mississippi
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/4/2026
End Date: 11/2/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 3,697.50 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: Wilderness, Shorebird monitoring, Sea turtle monitoring, Invasive species, nutria, marine debris, natural resources
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position(s) will likely be multi-focused, assisting park staff with various projects aimed at monitoring, protecting, and improving the parks natural resources. This project ties into the NPS mission by aiding in the monitoring of wilderness character and park resources, to identify status and trends, and to evaluate the efficacy of current management practices.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SIP participant will assist resources staff with monitoring and management activities for multiple natural resource related projects. Activities will include, but not limited to, the treatment and/or removal of invasive animal species, shorebird monitoring, sea turtle monitoring, and marine debris removal.
This position may involve routine contact with the public to enhance understanding of natural resources within the Park. The SIP participant is expected to positively represent the NPS at all times. The participant will be responsible for collecting accurate data by adhering to established protocols. Field training will be provided to identify invasive plants and animals, as well as nutria tracks, scat and burrows. Training will also be provided to accurately collect, interpret and illustrate geospatial and biological data. The participant will also be tasked to assist in the collection of marine debris data as well as assisting with coordinating volunteer marine debris cleanup efforts and assist park staff in clean-up efforts. The participant will also assist in the monitoring and recording of various nesting shorebird and seabird species throughout the spring and summer seasons. Further training will be provided to identify shorebird species by sight and sound and accurately reflect and record observations.
Additional duties may include data entry, routine upkeep of supplies and equipment, shorebird, sea turtle and marine mammal mortality/stranding surveys and stewarding. The participant may also become involved with community outreach events promoting the conservation and management of natural resources.
DELIVERABLES
The selected candidate will be able to, using ESRI's suite of products, record and report the results from various surveys of Gulf Islands natural resources. The participant will also be responsible for carrying forward projects previously established with SIP participants. participants will also be given the opportunity to compile, evaluate, and report field data collected. participants will projects on a final SIP participant project that can vary in scope but will be a final deliverable/projects product for the Park.
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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
We're looking for participants with an understanding and education in basic biological principles and processes, as well as a willingness to learn. Candidates must be able to assist in strenuous field projects, often in hot, humid field conditions with biting insects. field projects may consist of long treks through remote wilderness, often with little protection from the elements. In addition, field projects is primarily conducted on a series of offshore barrier islands, ranging from 8 - 12 miles offshore requiring as much as an hour-long boat ride. Candidates should also be comfortable in the vicinity of animals being dispatched. Approximately 75% of service will be performed outside on barrier islands. field projects requires walking, bending, and lifting 25+ pounds on a regular basis. Participants may be subject to biting insects and inclement weather including extreme heat, humidity, wind, and rain. SIP participants will be required to ride in a small boat to barrier island projects sites and to traverse several miles in soft sand and/or brush while carrying a backpack and equipment. The remaining 25% of duties will be performed in an office setting. participant will be required to sit for extended periods of time while performing repetitive manual tasks.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Primary duties will require participants to conduct field projects in remote and often arduous field conditions with limited to no access to modern amenities while in the field. Participants will assist park staff in completing various inventories and monitoring of the Park's natural resources. Gulf Islands National Seashore is managed in two distinct districts, Mississippi and Florida. This position will serve solely in the Mississippi District and housed in the Davis Bayou area. The Davis Bayou area is a very urban portion of Gulf Islands, nestled in the middle of Ocean Springs, MS. Ocean Springs, MS is a vibrant coastal artsy community of just under 20,000 annual residents and was recently named one of the 'USA's best coastal towns'.
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.
Housing provided is a private bedroom with shared common spaces including bathroom, full kitchen (stove, microwave, refrigerator), and furnished living area with co-ed roommate(s). We can often accommodate a private bathroom.
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 Gulf Islands National Seashore.
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!”
