POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4333
Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/10/2026
End Date: 11/08/2026
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: Science Communication, Education, Interpretation, Natural History, Ecology
PURPOSE
This Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The Science Communication SIP participant will use recent advances in technology, including web-based tools and services to share knowledge with the public to make it easier and more efficient to meet the NPS mission of preserving natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Science Communication SIP participant will interact closely with Natural Resource Management (NRM) staff and Interpretation, Education, and Cultural Resources Management staff as a part of an interdisciplinary team.
The purpose of the position is to develop science communication and educational tools in a variety of media forms to enhance visitor experiences.
The SIP will support NRM staff through data collection and analysis related to invasive species management such as recording percent cover, treatment success, and performing literature reviews on best management practices to support the park's mission of preserving its forests, native grasslands, and globally rare limestone cedar glades.
The SIP will educate the public on management strategies such as prescribed fire, herbicide treatments, and bushhogging and may support these activities by using GIS to create maps and record data.
Additionally, the SIP will assist NRM staff by taking photos and videos of management operations, and landscape conditions (before and after) to be used on the park's website and social media to improve the public's knowledge of the critical resources found in the park and the strategies used to conserve them.
The SIP will have the opportunity to share natural resource information with the public through the development of web pages, exhibits, interpretive publications and social media posts. The SIP will receive training in preparing interpretive programs and media and will prepare and present at least one onsite or outreach interpretive program.
DELIVERABLES
Educational materials in both digital and print formats about scientific studies, ongoing projects, invasive species, park resources and management strategies relevant to Stones River National Battlefield. Updated webpage content. Videos and photographs of park resources. Social media posts and products.
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
Strong writing and communication skills. Highly motivated and able to complete projects independently and as part a team. Proficient in Microsoft office programs. Experience developing science communication products. Experience with GIS. Experience with digital publishing, photography, and video production.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Physical/Natural Environment: Stones River National Battlefield is a 700-acre park located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, approximately 30 miles South-east of Nashville, Tennessee. The park is composed of forests, grasslands, cedar glades, savannas and barrens. Murfreesboro has all amenities such as grocery stores, restaurants, gym, pharmacy, ATM, department stores, etc. Summers in Tennessee are very hot and humid.
Position Environment: Projects will be heavily office based. When collecting data in the field, SIP participant may be spending considerable time standing and hiking. SIP may be subject to full sun, high heat, biting and stinging insects, and the potential for dehydration during fieldwork
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.
Furnished Park housing with a private room in a three-bedroom co-ed house with shared sitting area and kitchen. Kitchen is supplied with dishes and pans. Sip participant will need to bring all personal items including toiletries, laundry detergent, pillows, and linens. Housing has cable and wifi.
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 Stones River National Battlefield.
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!”
