POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4532
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Brecksville, Ohio
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 03/01/2027
End Date: 05/24/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 1,956.00 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: beavers, wetlands, water, monitoring, GIS
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position directly advances one of CUVA's highest-priority natural resource needs: developing and implementing a comprehensive, data-driven approach to beaver management and wetland protection. Beaver activity has expanded across multiple watersheds within the park, creating significant ecological benefits while simultaneously generating conflicts with high value natural and cultural resources. These include impacts to historic canal structures, roads, culverts, trails, and other hydrologically sensitive infrastructure.
The SIP's contribution provides the foundation the park needs to transition from reactive problem solving to a modern, proactive management program. By systematically mapping, photographing, and assessing beaver lodges, dams, flow states, and associated wetland modifications, the SIP will generate core datasets that currently do not exist in a complete or standardized format. These data will directly inform interdisciplinary wildlife, GIS, and Facilitates operations.
This proposed project aligns with the park’s ongoing effort to draft and operationalize its Beaver Management Plan, an effort that requires high resolution field data describing where beavers are active, how their structures function, and how their engineering affects hydrology and infrastructure.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Scientist in Parks (SIP) Beaver Management & Habitat Monitoring -- Cuyahoga Valley National Park supports thriving wetland ecosystems, including beaver influenced landscapes that shape hydrology, vegetation, and wildlife habitat across the valley. Beavers play an essential role in wetland restoration and hydrologic processes; however, they often cause conflicts with infrastructure. These conflicts require timely, field-based monitoring that the park currently does not have the staffing to accomplish. The park is currently advancing updates to its Beaver Management Plan, which emphasizes coexistence, monitoring, and data-driven decision making. The SIP participant will help the park understand where beaver structures occur, how they are functioning, and what ecological or infrastructure impacts may result. This is a field focused position ideal for someone interested in wildlife ecology, wetlands, geomorphology, or environmental monitoring. The primary goal of this project is to produce the first comprehensive dataset of beaver activity across CUVA. This information is critical for identifying risk locations, prioritizing areas of concern, and supporting coordinated decision-making among Resource Management and Maintenance staff.
DELIVERABLES
1. Field Mapping of Beaver Structures
- Systematically locate, map, and document beaver lodges, dams, canals, and associated wetland modifications across the park.
- Use GPS/GIS tools to collect accurate spatial data to support systematic monitoring.
- Record site characteristics including hydrology, vegetation, available, and evidence of activity.
2. Photographic Documentation
- Capture clear, georeferenced photographs of structures and surrounding habitat.
- Maintain a photographic archive following park protocols to support monitoring, impact assessment, and communication needs.
3. Site Assessments & Monitoring
- Describe physical condition, size, and functional status of beaver lodges and dams.
- Note indicators of ecological influence (e.g., flooding extent, wetland expansion, vegetation changes).
- Assist with wetland and marsh monitoring efforts to contribute to broader inventory and vital signs goals supported by CUVA wetland monitoring programs.
4. Data Entry, Management & Reporting
- Enter field data into GIS, databases, and standardized monitoring forms.
- Prepare weekly or biweekly summaries for the Resource Management team.
- Contribute to map products or data visualizations used in decision support tools referenced in the Beaver Management Plan.
5. Collaboration & Communication
- Collaborate with wildlife biologists and GIS specialist, and the Beaver IDT including maintenance, RM, and communication staff.
- Participate in team meetings and share observations that may inform proactive or reactive management strategies (e.g., infrastructure protection, habitat restoration).
- Support educational or outreach content by providing photos, mapping outputs, or natural history observations for interpretation.
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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED SKILLS: Candidate must have experience and comfort being outdoors in variable weather conditions. Excellent communication skills are critical. A degree (or working towards a degree) in biology, zoology, wildlife management, geography, environmental science, or related field. Coursework in: Mammalogy, Field Methods, Habitat management, or related coursework. Familiarity with GPS units, GIS software, or mobile data collection apps (training provided). Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and willingness to complete service independently and as part of a team. Ability to walk long distances, often off trail, through wetlands, dense vegetation, and uneven terrain. Candidate must be able to carry field gear and collect data in varying weather conditions, including cold and wet aquatic environments.
PREFERRED SKILLS: Understanding of wetland ecosystems or beaver ecology is a plus. Candidate should feel comfortable speaking to groups of volunteers and/or park visitors. Though this position has a strong field component, the applicant should expect some time in the office (writing reports, entering data into spreadsheets), and attending planning meetings with project partners. This position will be 30% office time and 70% field time, but this may vary throughout the season or be weather-dependent.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Located in Northeastern Ohio, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is situated along 26 miles of the Cuyahoga River Valley in a suburban setting between the cities of Akron and Cleveland. The park is predominantly natural forest and meadow with some areas of agriculture and excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. Winters are moderately cold with average temperatures in the 20-30F degree ranges. Heavy snowfall is not unusual. Summers are moderately warm, average temperatures in the high 70-80F with occasional warm spells in the 90's. Rural, suburban, and urban communities are all within a reasonable commuting distance. Excellent K-12 schools, numerous colleges, universities, hospitals, and cultural attractions are available in the area. There are also many museums including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, National Football Hall of Fame, and many public art museums, as well as two NPS units within a 40 minute drive (First Ladies NHS and James A. Garfield NHS). Northeast Ohio is a mosaic of demographic variety where individuals can find communities with shared cultural, ethnic, and religious associations. The area has varied culinary opportunities (dining and specialty grocery stores). Though there is no public transportation within the park boundaries, most of the area is bike-friendly and reachable through the Towpath Trail, a multi-purpose trail transecting the national park. Cuyahoga Valley National Park Park's Web Site: https://www.nps.gov/cuva
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Shared housing is available within CUVA, so the SIP will be part of the community of selected candidate and seasonal staff living within the park boundaries. Park housing includes a private bedroom equipped with a full-size bed, dresser, and desk. Bedding and bath towels are not provided. The shared living spaces and kitchen area are fully furnished including plates, pots, pans, and silverware. All houses have shared bathrooms. Park housing accommodates between 3-6 individuals (depending on the house). Individuals are responsible for personal items, clothing, and bedding. All park houses are equipped with Wi-Fi, central air/heating, TV set, and washer/dryer. Most of the park has excellent/good cellphone coverage.
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 Cuyahoga Valley 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!”
