POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4341
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Mesa Verde National Park, Mesa Verde, Colorado
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/03/2026
End Date: 05/02/2027
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: Air quality, restoration, wildlife, vegetation, GIS
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will help on various natural resources projects where there is often a need for another staff member to efficiently and safely complete projects. The park's natural resources is severely understaffed and some projects or tasks may not be completed if this position is not filled. Because this position will be focusing on a large variety of projects over several programs, the person hired for this position will positively impacted by acquiring a large amount of natural resources experience and training.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The position will support the Natural Resources program in the park. This include managing and conserving wildlife, vegetation, and physical sciences. Specific duties include monitoring air quality equipment, helping with river and vegetation restoration projects, sensitive plant monitoring, wildlife surveys, horse captures, database management, and GIS analysis and mapping.
DELIVERABLES
The position will focus on 1-2 long-term projects that will be completed by the end of their 52-week term. The specific projects will be based on the skills and interests of the SIP participant, but could include: developing a pinyon-juniper restoration plan, organizing GIS layers and folders, developing and implementing a vegetation restoration project, starting a resources stewardship strategy, refencing a boundary fence, or monitoring all of the park's springs.
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
Desired qualifications include either experience or education in natural resources. A degree in natural resources is not required. It is more important that a successful candidate has an interest in learning about natural resources and is willing to learn and help with a variety of natural resources projects. A successful candidate will have a wide range of NR experience.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The position will be field and office based. Field duties will involve hiking up to 3 miles, but usually shorter; driving a 4WD vehicle on dirt backcountry roads; completing projects in cold temperatures in the winter (down to 0 degrees F), and hot temperatures in the summer (up to 100 degrees F). The nearest towns of Cortez, Mancos, and Dolores have grocery stores and most shopping you will need. The park is set at the edge of the Rocky Mountains with an average elevation of 7,500 feet. The region has some of the best outdoor recreation in the country, to include: mountain biking, skiing, hiking, backpacking, fishing, rafting, and kayaking.
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 provided will be either in a single apartment or shared apartment (private bedroom). Rooms are furnished with furniture, but occupants will need kitchen appliances. Pets are allowed on a case-by-case situation; some houses do not allow pets. Housing will be from 5-25 minutes from the office, and 10-30 minutes from the nearest town of Cortez and Mancos.
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 Mesa Verde 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!”
