POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4531
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Buffalo National River, Harrison, Arkansas
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 01/11/2027
End Date: 05/31/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 2,817.00 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: scenic viewsheds, GIS, natural resources, visual resources inventory
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. BUFF contains extensive scenic landscapes, including sweeping river views, rugged bluffs, forested slopes, historic sites, and rural agricultural landscapes that are central to visitor experience. Protecting this scenery is fundamental to the NPS mission, as established in the Organic Act, and is emphasized in park-specific enabling legislation. This position contributes to the implementation of the NPS Visual Resources Inventory (VRI) by documenting and evaluating scenic quality and view importance across the park. As the first phase of a two-part effort, this effort focuses on land-based viewpoints and establishes a consistent, defensible baseline of visual resource data. A future phase will build on this foundation by inventorying views from the river corridor, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the park’s viewsheds. Because many scenic views extend beyond park boundaries, this inventory provides important information to help the park understand how external development—such as wind energy facilities, transmission lines, and telecommunications infrastructure—may be visible within the landscape and influence scenic integrity. The resulting data support planning, compliance, and communication efforts by identifying important views, scenic inventory values, and their sensitivities. This information helps inform environmental and cultural resource review processes, including those conducted under the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act Section 106. It also enables more informed coordination with Tribal partners, neighboring landowners, agencies, and developers, and contributes to the long-term protection of the park’s scenic resources and visitor experience.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Buffalo National River (BUFF) is searching for a well-rounded individual who is interested in being part of an interdisciplinary team of natural resource professionals collaborating to manage the scenic vistas of America’s first National River. The primary duties of the Natural Resource Management Assistant will be coordinating with natural resource and administrative staff to initiate a Visual Resources Inventory (VRI) of the park. The SIP will identify and ground truth viewpoints, collect field data, take standardized photographs, complete inventory forms, and enter data into the NPS VRI database. Duties will also include GIS mapping of viewpoints and view extents, compiling reports and summaries, and supporting the application of VRI results for resource management and planning. In addition, the SIP will assist with other natural resource projects such as water quality sampling, and will have opportunities for cross training such as introduction to NEPA and regulatory compliance. This position provides hands-on experience in structured field data collection, GIS-supported documentation, and interdisciplinary resource stewardship in one of the most scenic river corridors in the National Park System. Accomplishments achieved through this position will directly support efforts to document scenic quality, inform resource management decisions, and maintain the visual and ecological integrity of the park.
DELIVERABLES
The SIP will produce a range of deliverables supporting the VRI and natural resource management at Buffalo National River. Key deliverables include: a list of land-based key observation points for Buffalo National River for a VRI; prioritized and organized viewpoint field schedules, including grouping sites, assessing available, coordinating with park staff and volunteers, and accounting for seasonal and site conditions; completed VRI forms and complete and clean digital data in the NPS online VRI database; spatially mapped viewpoints and view extents using GIS tools, including the AGOL Visual Resources Mapper; maps, spreadsheets, descriptive narratives, and database reports summarizing field data and VRI findings; final report summarizing inventory results, mapped views, and management opportunities, including recommendations for future VRI updates; participation in end-of-term presentation or briefing for park staff to communicate findings and support for resource planning.
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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal applicant will be pursuing or have completed an undergraduate or graduate degree in fields such as environmental science, environmental planning, geography, landscape architecture or natural resource management. Strong written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive both independently and collaboratively are essential. Applicants should have proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, with GIS experience preferred. Experience with data management, analysis, and structured field data collection is desirable. The position requires moderate to high physical fitness, including the ability to hike several miles over uneven terrain and evaluate sites outdoors in variable weather conditions. The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or permanent legal resident at least 18 years of age. A government security background clearance will be required prior to starting the position.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
This position will be a mix of office and field activities. The SIP will be provided a desk and computer in a shared natural resource office space. Field conditions may include extreme hot or cold weather; ticks, snakes, and biting insects; and steep, rocky and/or brushy terrain. Footwear appropriate for hiking should be worn while in the field. Field activities may require driving 4WD vehicles on unimproved roads. Natural Environment: The river is flanked by multi-colored bluffs of eroded sandstone, limestone and dolomite that tower in some places to heights over 400 feet. The karst geology of the region is reflected in a landscape marked by numerous caves, cliffs, sinkholes, waterfalls, springs, and rock formations. A wide variety of plant and animal species are supported by the variety of habitats found along the river, influenced by varied elevations, soil types, moisture levels and exposure. A varied range of cultural resources and historic sites are protected within the national river, including prehistoric village and shelter sites, historic farmsteads, mining sites, and Civilian Conservation Corps structures. Park headquarters is located in Harrison (Boone County), Arkansas. Park visitation has averaged more than 1 million visitors over the past several years. Along with water-based activities, the park offers more than 100 miles of hiking trails.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park housing will be available in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath house with shared kitchen in Jasper, Arkansas. Other options may be available upon request. The SIP will share a furnished single-family home with seasonal park staff members and/or other SIPs but will have their own private lockable bedroom. The kitchen, bathroom, and living room will be shared between house occupants. The SIP will need to bring bathroom towels and bed linens. Some dishes and utensils will be available, but the SIP may wish to bring additional kitchen items. Limited groceries and amenities are available in Jasper, and more selections and services are available 30 minutes’ drive away in Harrison, Arkansas. Park headquarters is approximately a 30-minute (17 miles) drive from park housing.
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 Buffalo National River.
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!”
