POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4560, 4561
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Dry Tortugas National Park, Key West, Florida
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 01/04/2027
End Date: 01/03/2028
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 (pre-tax)
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 675.00 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)
- 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, 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: sub-tropical, natural resources, scuba, coral, sea turtles, seabirds
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Dry Tortugas is a remote park and these positions will give the opportunity to collaborate with NPS staff on a variety of projects in a unique environment. This position will add knowledge of threatened and endangered wildlife in the park including green and leatherback sea turtles, queen conch, Florida Keys Mole Skink, and several coral species. This knowledge will be used to direct park management to preserve and protect these species and their habitat.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) covers 100 sq miles of ocean, of which less than 0.2% is land. The selected candidate will serve as a field technician collaborating for the natural resource program of the park. The position will include a variety of biological monitoring, science communication outreach to park visitors, and park management activities. The park is home to the western-most extent of the Florida Reef Tract, a coral reef that stretches through the Florida Keys, and has a variety of marine life including sharks, sea turtles, marine invertebrates, and fish. The 7 small keys that make up the land of the park are host to nesting populations of green and loggerhead sea turtles, and upwards of 100,000 sea birds (primarily sooty terns and brown noddies). Biological monitoring will include surveys for queen conch, nesting birds, and nesting sea turtles. Additional opportunities to collaborate with partners conducting projects related to coral, sea turtles, sharks, and birds will be available as well. Visitor outreach to protect natural resources is an important part of daily life at the park. Being comfortable talking with park visitors is an expected part of the job.
The selected participant may also be tasked with assisting National Park Service (NPS) staff on a variety of routine natural resource projects including shoreline mapping, marine debris removal, and responding to wildlife strandings, as needed.
DELIVERABLES
The selected candidate will assist park staff and/or be directly responsible for a variety of project deliverables including collecting, recording, and entering data for a variety of biological indicators. There will be an opportunity for the selected candidate to develop and implement an independent project within the scope of the Natural Resource program. Park staff will provide feedback and assistance with their independent study. The park will also support and facilitate a selected candidate presentation focused on the results of their field season. There will also be opportunities to create social media content and/or a blog that will be shared with SIP and the park Interpretive Lead.
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
Selected incumbents must be able to commit to the entire position duration. Incumbents must be flexible and patient given the unique location of the park and dynamic project environment. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to implement a standardized protocol, and general knowledge/training of biological processes and principles are required. Previous job experience in a natural resource management or marine science setting is strongly preferred. Familiarity with handheld GPS units, database management (i.e. Microsoft Excel), ArcGIS, and statistical programs (i.e. R) are a plus. Applicants must be solution-oriented, and able to effectively participate as part of a larger team as well as individually. Applicants must have the ability to conduct projects for long hours in full sun in harsh weather conditions (heat index in excess of 100 degrees). Physical requirements include walking 7 or more miles daily (with gear) on sometimes rocky, uneven terrain. Must be capable of digging large, deep holes in the sand and carrying up to 50 pounds. MOCC boating certification, or experience focusing on/around small watercraft is recommended. Routine maintenance skills (using drills, cutting PVC, installing small fixtures) are also a plus. Individuals with advanced SCUBA diving skills (AAUS Scientific Diver, and/or Rescue Diver) are preferred and will be given an opportunity to become a NPS "blue-carded" diver.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote park located approximately 70 miles west of Key West in the Straits of Florida, known for its variety of wildlife. The 100-square mile park is mostly open water and currently encompasses seven small keys that can only be reached by boat or seaplane. This position is based at Fort Jefferson on Garden Key. Position will occur both on Garden Key and throughout the park, which is reached via small watercraft (<30’ in length). Participant generally complete 9-day shifts, with 5 days off in Key West between shifts. This means that frequent travel by boat to/from the park, under sometimes adverse weather conditions, will be required. Primary means of travel will be through the ferry concessionaire. There are no stores or any other means to replenish provisions while in the park; thus, the participant will need to plan for all food, drink, and necessary supplies to bring with them for each 9-day shift. This is primarily a field-based position requiring long hours on the beach in a hot, humid environment. The incumbents must be physically capable of walking up to 7 miles on the beach (with gear) every day and digging deep holes in the sand. The heat index in the summer often exceeds 100 degrees and storms can be frequent during the wet season. Stinging/biting insects and poisonous plants may be encountered. Some tasks (data entry, verification, report writing) may require project time in an office-based setting
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participants. Housing is provided both while focusing on Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park (DRTO) and during days off in Key West, Florida. Both furnished quarters are shared, dorm style with other park selected candidate, volunteers, or staff. Facilities on Garden Key (duty station) are basic but include water, electricity, and wifi. Housing may be shared with other selected candidate and is typically small apartment style units with a kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and common area. Kitchens are equipped with basic amenities including microwave, refrigerator, stove, utensils, and dishes. The selected candidate will need to supply all personal items including linens, pillows, and toiletries. Given the remoteness, the selected candidate should plan to have limited internet service and no cell service while in the park.
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 Natural Resource Management Assistant at Dry Tortugas 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!”
