POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4553
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Tumacacori National Historical Park, Tumacácori, Arizona
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 36 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 06/14/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 5,176.00 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)
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: Vegetation Management, GIS, Propagation, Planning
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will contribute toward the conservation, management, research, and interpretation of the botanical and natural resources of the park which are high priority resources in the 2022 Resource Stewardship Strategy. This will also contribute to keeping the park open and reachable and providing a high-quality visitor experience by making existing information available and maintaining park resources.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The participant will assist with a variety of ongoing needs relating to the natural resources of the park and related sites. 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: contribute to historic water rights to reestablish irrigation for the heritage orchard; identify, organize, and propagate, heritage plant species and species of ecological importance to maintain the heritage orchard, visitor center interpretive gardens, and for restoration projects; or data management of existing resource digital data including spatial data (GIS), publications, and reports. Other projects may include some of the following: night skies research and monitoring, monitoring and photographing landscapes to assess current condition; and assisting visiting researchers. Specialized projects may be available for candidates who have self-sufficient experience in botany, museum collections, invertebrate research, or integrating natural resources in cultural landscapes. Opportunities may also exist to apply the participant’s specialized skills to related projects that have potential to benefit the park’s resource stewardship program.
DELIVERABLES
Specific projects, goals, and materials to be produced will be defined for the selected candidate based on individual skills and interests identified during the recruitment and interview process. Depending on specific projects, the materials will include cataloging, organizing and updating existing data, developing options and/or identifying opportunities for utilizing ground water for irrigation purposes, and identifying plant species for heritage conservation and public interpretation. Preparation of abstracts and presentations for the Sonoran Institute’s Santa Cruz River Research Days will be encouraged.
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 36 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Interested candidates should be master’s students and beyond, however outstanding undergraduate students will be considered. While a degree in botany, ecology or related field is preferred, applicants with significant demonstrable experience and appropriate qualifications from other backgrounds (biology, geography, landscape architecture, water resources, etc.) will also be considered. Coursework and/or applied experience in vegetation management, conservation, GIS, field methods, applied ecology, landscape architecture, and integrating natural resources into cultural landscapes will make the applicant more competitive. The applicant should be able to conduct projects well independently both in the office and in the field with limited supervision, have GPS orientation skills, and be comfortable hiking off trail with potentially dangerous animals. Individuals that can demonstrate a positive attitude and good work ethic through supportive letters, references, or awards will receive additional consideration.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
project environment will be a combination of office-based activities and field activities including park grounds, an orchard, a greenhouse, and riparian forest habitats. Generally, winters in southern Arizona are pleasant, with cooler temperatures than summertime. Tumacácori is higher in elevation than Tucson, so out of the range of typical Sonoran Desert, but retains some elements. Tucson, Arizona is approximately 45 minutes away and has all of the amenities a major city has to offer. Basic necessities can be obtained in Nogales, AZ about 15 minutes south of the park. If needed, housing may be available in the communities surrounding the park including Nogales, Rio Rico, Tubac, Green Valley, Sahuarita or Tucson.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park Housing MAY be available. The park has one shared housing unit with two bedrooms, one bathroom, kitchen, living room and laundry. Occupants must be the same sex and will be provided to the candidate if occupancy conditions are met.
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.
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 Tumacacori National Historical 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!”
