POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4509
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Intermountain Region Office, Lakewood, Colorado
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: Resource protection, wildland fire management, GIS, Natural Resources, planning, interdisciplinary
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. In a wildland fire emergency, national park staff need to be able to rapidly tell responders the location, importance, and protection measures for the park's most critical treasures. This project will directly support the preparedness of parks for responding to emerging wildland fires and other hazardous events while safeguarding the historical, natural, and cultural resources that are central to the NPS mission. By developing Local Unit Resource Advisor Guides (LURGs) and accompanying READ Atlases, the project will produce actionable tools that help ensure resource protection measures are clearly communicated and effectively implemented. These products will provide critical guidance to incident responders to help them avoid or reduce damage to sensitive park resources. The READ Atlas will organize essential geospatial data into a format designed for rapid deployment, allowing responders to quickly identify and protect high-value areas. This will strengthen park readiness and resilience, while promoting consistent, data-informed resource protection across the Intermountain Region.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Looking to launch your career in natural resource management or Wildland Fire Planning? Join the National Park Service (NPS) Intermountain Region as a Natural Resource Management Assistant and play a key role in helping parks prepare for wildfires and other unplanned events. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, collaborate with professionals in the field, and contribute to the protection of some of the country’s most iconic landscapes and cultural resources.
What You’ll Do:
Support national parks in developing two critical tools for wildland fire preparedness:
- Local Unit Resource Advisor Guides (LURGs): These are planning documents that identify natural and cultural resources at risk, and outline protective strategies for fire events, floods, and other emergencies.
- Resource Advisor Atlases (READ Atlases): These are geospatial products used in the field to quickly locate and protect sensitive resources during incidents.
You’ll collaborate with park staff and specialists to:
- Gather and validate natural and cultural resource data
- Develop protection strategies for critical resources using established templates and guidelines
- Assist with the writing, editing, and formatting of LURGs
- Create maps and geospatial products following NPS standards
- Help coordinate trainings (both virtual and in-person) for park staff and stakeholders
- Track project progress, manage timelines, and support collaboration across teams
Why This Role is Great for You:
- Real Impact: Your projects will directly support the protection of national park resources and the people who manage them
- Skill Development: You’ll gain practical experience in GIS, project coordination, emergency planning, and interagency collaboration
- Mentorship & Support: Participate alongside experienced professionals who are invested in your growth
- Career Building: Build a portfolio of meaningful projects and develop skills that are highly valued in environmental and government sectors
Preferred Qualifications:
- Recent graduate or early-career professional in geography, environmental science, fire ecology, natural/cultural resource management, or a related field
- Familiarity with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online) or a willingness to learn
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Interest in public lands, emergency response, or conservation
Join us in supporting the National Park Service mission while gaining the experience you need to grow your career.
DELIVERABLES
The primary products from this project will be national park Local Unit READ Guides (LURGs) and/or READ atlases produced in collaboration with park staff. Workflow process descriptions and tools for LURG/READ atlas development will be documented. Presentation products to promote park LURG development will be developed. LURG development training sessions/presentations will occur both virtually and on-site at national park units.
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
Candidates must have experience in written and oral communication, and the ability to be in a collaborative team environment both in-person and through on-line meetings. Candidates should have a degree in the biological, physical, social or cultural sciences and/or career experience in resource management and/or Geographic information Systems (GIS). Experience in wildland fire planning, operations, or preparedness is desired but not required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
A majority of the project is performed in an office setting with adequate light, heat, and ventilation in a negotiated NPS office space. Occasional site visits to park units may create exposure to a variety of physical settings including extreme climatic conditions and rugged terrain. Local area details will vary based on office location.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Preferred station is the NPS IMRO office in Lakewood, CO. Other NPS locations near Intermountain Region parks or the Santa Fe regional office may be considered upon negotiation with the chosen candidate. All locations will have options for rental housing - prices and conditions will vary based on location.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is not 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 Intermountain Region Office.
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!”
