POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4537
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Water Resources Division, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 10/04/2027
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 (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)
- 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: sea level rise, restoration, erosion, shoreline change, coastal processes, coastal resources, coastal hazards, coastal resiliency, landscape adaptation, geomorphology, GIS
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. There is a long-standing need across the NPS for assistance and guidance related to addressing coastal hazards. NPS manages more than 14,000 miles of coastline, along which exists a varied collection of natural and cultural resources; essential park facilities and infrastructure; and public recreational opportunities. These coastlines are experiencing or are threatened by sea level rise, coastal flooding, erosion, deposition, island migration, and degradation of habitats and ecosystem function, among other impacts. As a result, there is an increasing need for pro-active management actions along park ocean, bay, estuarine and Great Lakes shorelines. However, these issues are complicated and challenging to address, often associated with both anthropogenic activity and natural processes that are exacerbated by rapidly shifting environments. While it is recognized that management action is sometimes necessary to reduce or mitigate unavoidable impacts to park resources, there is often uncertainty regarding the specific actions (including no action) that should be taken and their potential effectiveness. Parks are also in need of easily digestible resources to understand anticipated coastal change due to rapidly changing environmental impacts, as well as the range of feasible management and conservation options available to address these impacts. By providing parks with current and relevant science, tools, and technical assistance related to these topics, this position will help parks make informed planning and management decisions, ranging from actions to enhance coastal resiliency to preparing for managed retreat or adaptive use of an area.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Water Resources Division the Oceans and Coastal Resources Program assist parks with making informed decisions related to resource management while considering current threats and impacts, as well as anticipated future conditions. For coastal parks, focal issues include coastal hazards, such as erosion, sea level rise, flooding, and barrier island rollover. These issues are complex and management decisions are influenced by specific park needs and perspectives, including those related to natural resources, cultural resources, facilities and infrastructure, and visitor experience. Parks must consider if action is necessary – and to what extent – to enhance coastal resiliency, such as through restoration or sediment and shoreline management. The SIP will support parks by creating awareness of existing interactive decision support tools, relevant data, information, and guidance materials to help inform management decisions, especially within the context of the Resist-Accept-Direct (RAD) framework. The SIP will also build on projects that have been completed to date. Tasks include: 1) Finalizing park-specific case studies highlighting coastal adaptation examples and creating accompanying StoryMap(s); 2) Compile existing tools and resources and demonstrate how they can support park-specific needs; 3) Assist with emerging park specific requests and studies (e.g. project design discussions, technical report reviews, data collection/processing, communication); and 4) Assist with communicating and distributing information to parks through various mechanisms, such as internal websites, ArcGIS Online maps, StoryMaps, webinars, and meetings with parks. There is also the potential opportunity for the SIP to collect terrestrial LiDAR data at one or more parks to support on-going modeling and visualization projects. These tasks will provide them with opportunities to engage with staff across NPS and other Federal agencies (e.g. USGS, NOAA, USACE, USFWS). The SIP will also have opportunities to present their projects to the NPS staff at the park, regional, and national level, and potentially at a more formal conference or gathering that reaches a broader audience.
DELIVERABLES
- Finalize/develop case study briefs, StoryMaps, and other science education materials focused on restoration, nature-based solutions, and other potential options to promote proactive management actions to increase resiliency at coastal parks;
- Create further awareness of the RAD framework and understanding of range of adaptation options available to parks;
- Update resource database that lists and briefly describes relevant resources (documents, webinars/presentations, GIS and web-based tools);
- Develop web content for internal NPS site;
- Develop presentations as needed for formal and informal meetings;
- Additional products may be requested (to be discussed) as selected candidate engages with parks and others;
- LiDAR data – selected candidate will be responsible for collecting and processing data, data management and upload to IRMA, and creating visualizations;
Note: The selected candidate will also regularly participate in meetings with parks; while there is no deliverable associated with this activity, it will serve to build the selected candidate’s knowledge and understanding of park (and broader) issues, and provide the selected candidate with opportunities to contribute their thoughts.
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
Required: Ability to be self-directed and operate independently, as well as part of a team; interest in learning new skills, critical thinking, and problem solving; attention to detail; basic knowledge of processes influencing sea level rise and coastal change; basic knowledge of nature-based solutions, ecosystem restoration, coastal processes, coastal hazards; moderate GIS skills; ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing; experience developing communication and outreach materials. Preferred: Experience and/or technical training in one or more of the following topics: restoration, sea level rise, coastal hazards, coastal engineering, coastal geology/geomorphology, oceanography, sediment transport/budgets, hydrodynamic/sediment modelling. The tasks associated with this position would likely be most enjoyable to a person who can think critically about complex issues; enjoys problem solving and defining innovative approaches to problem solving; and is interested in conducting literature reviews and communicating relevant information in a manner that can be easily understood by park managers. We recognize that the tasks outlined for the position require a broad range of skillsets, which we do not necessarily expect applicants to possess all of. We will do our best to tailor the project tasks to the selected candidate’s interests and skillsets.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The project environment will primarily be in the office, though 1-3 trips to nearby coastal national parks and other relevant field locations will be anticipated, potentially including field activities. Trips to visit with other agency personnel, scientists, and others will also be likely as the selected candidate gathers information and collaborates with partners. The office is located at the URI Bay Campus in Narragansett, RI. which is set in a larger area locally known as “South County”. This scenic area is filled with wildlife preserves, protected parks, and forests that spill down to hundreds of miles of sandy beaches. There are also plenty of shopping spots, restaurants and cultural/arts venues in town and nearby. The annual temperature typically varies from ~25°F in February to the mid-80s in July. Summers are typically warm and sunny and winters are cold and windy. A car is recommended, as public transportation options are limited.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
During the academic year, Narragansett is a University town, with many students occupying the area. During the summer months, Narragansett is a popular tourist destination. There are a wide range of housing options, including apartments, houses, and in-home room rentals. Most housing options are shared living spaces. Rent costs start around $800 - $1200 per month and increase with size, furnishings, privacy, and amenities. It can be challenging to find a full calendar year rental (vs academic year), but there are many house-hunting resources available, and the URI Office of Commuter Housing has listings for both shared and vacant properties and allows you to search for potential housemates. There are also housing opportunities outside of Narragansett in nearby towns, such as North Kingstown, South Kingstown, Charlestown, and Warwick, that are more cost effective and could offer more privacy. We will do our best to help connect the selected candidate with housing options. If selected, we recommend the applicant pursue housing as soon as they accept the position.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant will not need 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 Water Resources Division.
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!”
