POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4518
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Oregon Caves National Monument, Cave Junction, Oregon
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 04/19/2027
End Date: 10/18/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 3,697.00 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: Bats, Owls, Pollinators, Cave, wildlife
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will assist a small park staff in meeting natural resource management needs through inventory and monitoring activities related to biology, ecology, hydrology, and geography, supporting the restoration of lands and waters and the protection of species and natural resources. The project will directly result in maintaining a publicly available park Cave Tour, and wildfire thinning pre-survey project approval. The project leaders will directly train and mentor the participant while completing tasks that require assistance for data collection, analysis, and safety protocols, contributing to the delivery of reliable scientific information to inform resource management decisions. Project leaders will collaborate with SIP participant to support career development and collaborative stewardship aligned with Department of the Interior priorities. The position will assist the park in completing its yearly integrated natural resource monitoring field project processing, and reporting. Oregon Caves will provide SIP participant with a meaningful, engaging resource management experience while contributing to the conservation and stewardship of public lands.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This position is an interdisciplinary natural resource management position that involves inventory, monitoring, and processing of various scientific data using tablets, computers and other technology. This position will provide training and experience in subjects of natural resources including but not limited to wildlife biology, botany, and GIS. The participant will assist in wildlife biological monitoring likely including Northern Spotted Owl, pollinator, and salamander surveys. Responsibilities may also include invasive weeds data management, bat acoustic identification, bat mist netting, cave resource monitoring, GIS & GPS inventory and mapping, database management, and report writing. The participant must be able to operate in an office setting and backcountry setting to traverse varied terrain including slopes, uneven trails, cross-country areas, wet areas, caves and snow-covered areas. The projects schedule will vary from day to day with a focus on completing assigned natural resource tasks.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables include supporting the completion of parkwide inventory and monitoring efforts including pre-surveys for wildfire risk reduction projects. Responsibilities also include processing biological, ecological, and geospatial data in addition to contributing to associated reports and map products. The SIP will develop one or more science education programs for the public, complete an independent project based on their interests and park priorities, and assist in updating Standard Operating Procedures, Job Hazard Analyses, and other safety documentation.
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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
This position is ideally suited for a recent college graduate in the sciences, although other levels of education will be considered. Desired qualifications include experience with biological monitoring, management, and data processing. Additional qualifications include the ability to complete projects effectively as part of a team, lead projects independently, collaborate to solve problems, collect data following established protocols, and analyze and communicate scientific information. The position requires the ability to complete projects in both rugged field and office settings and proficiency with Microsoft software products. Candidates with experience in GIS/GPS mapping are preferred.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
This position will be a combination of office-based activities using computers, field activities, and cave projects in rugged conditions. Oregon Caves is located in a mountainous forest setting at 4000' elevation, with a 3-mile-long cave toured by the public. The park housing, offices and visitor center are clustered together in a historic district just outside the cave entrance creating a central, social atmosphere. The town of Cave Junction is 20 miles away with two grocery stores, a dollar store, health clinic and numerous restaurants and activities. Grants Pass and Medford are large cities located 1 to 1.5 hours away with all amenities and the closest hospital. Redwood National and State Parks and beautiful beaches are within a 2-hour drive from the park. Weather will likely be mild with a mix of sun and rain. Heavy rain and snow are also possible, along with hot temperatures, depending on the time of year.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park housing will be in a shared or private room, in a shared dorm or shared house. Park housing supplies full kitchen appliances, furnished living room, dishes, bathroom/shower, laundry, wifi, food storage, closet, chest of drawers, desk, and twin bed/mattress. SIP participant will need to bring clothing, personal items, hiking boots, bedding, pillow and food.
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 Oregon Caves National Monument.
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!”
