POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4502
Position Title: Education Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 01/10/2027
End Date: 05/30/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 2,817.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 775.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
- 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, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: hydrology, public outreach, education, geology,
PURPOSE
This Education Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will contribute toward the conservation, management, public awareness, and interpretation of the hydrological resources which define the purpose of Hot Springs National Park
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The participant will assist in the delivery and development of educational programming related to biological science and preservation of the hydrogeological resources in the park. Primary areas of emphasis for this position will be selected from some of the following projects based on the selected applicant's strengths, experience, and interests: developing interactive geological programming of the Ouachita mountain-building; emphasizing the science and preservation of the Hot Springs Recharge Zone; creating digestible programming of the thermophilic organisms residing in the park; and helping to design virtual and in-class learning opportunities related to these important park resources. Other projects may include cross-training with the park Natural Resources Management division on hydrological research in the park, designing fire management education programming, and assisting with public outreach in the visitor center. Specialized projects may be available for applicants interested in digital education formats.
DELIVERABLES
Specific projects, goals, and materials to be produced will be individualized for each participant and will be defined at the time applicants are interviewed and selected.
Depending on specific projects, the materials will include updated educational programming related to the Hot Springs Recharge Zone, digital education materials (including short film or web-based materials) highlighting the hydrological and thermophilic resources of the hot springs, participation in a local media outreach regarding watershed preservation, and presentation booths for public outreach. The participant will also assist in immersive education programming for local k-12 students.
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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should be undergraduates or recent graduates whose educational background and career objectives are in environmental education. Applicants must have completed basic undergraduate coursework toward a degree in geology, biology, or education, or relevant field projects to related fields. Applicants must be comfortable in a public speaking position, including engaging with the general public or students in a k-12 setting. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to conduct projects alone and in a team, as well as abiding by professional conduct with other staff and the public at large.
Preference will be given to students who demonstrate a passion for educating in the urban-nature interface about the importance of watershed and recharge zone conservation. Previous field experience engaging with a broad range of audiences is highly encouraged. An example of an educational demonstration will be part of the interview process.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The SIP participant will conduct projects out of the Fordyce Visitor Center, which is the park's high volume visitor center located in the historic downtown of Hot Springs, Arkansas. The visitor center ranges in daily visitation from 200 to 2,500 people throughout the year. The park welcomes roughly 2.5 million recreational visits annually. The Fordyce is also the starting point for most educational programs in the park. In the spring time, education programs occur weekly, with outreach into several nearby school districts.
Hot Springs, AR is a small urban area less than one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Hot Springs is home to the national park, restaurants, entertainment areas, as well as several surrounding state parks and natural areas.
The park is notable for its thermal waters, averaging 143 degrees, with several thermal water ecosystems near the visitor center. History programs center on the historic Bathhouse Row, which were built during the era of the Great American Spa and used the thermal waters for medicinal bathing.
One of our unofficial mottos is that Hot Springs is where nature and culture meet.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Hot Springs National Park does not have available park housing. Most seasonal rangers find housing in the local commuting area. Shared housing can be found from $600 to $900/month while personal housing can be found from $1,200 to $1,400/monthly.
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.
OUR COMMITMENT
Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation 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!”
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 the host site throughout the 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, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.
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 (5) 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 Education Assistant at Hot Springs 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!”
