POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4545
Position Title: Interpretive Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Christiansted National Historic Site, Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve, Christiansted, Virgin Islands
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 02/22/2027
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: $ 1,100.00 (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: Native Plant Restoration, Mangrove Communities, Natural Lands, Education and Outreach, Natural Resource Condition Assessment
PURPOSE
This Interpretive Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This project takes an interdisciplinary approach to a resource management need by integrating Ecological Sciences with Communication and Education.
Ecological Sciences: Restoring natural landscapes after decades of human alteration requires long-term monitoring, consistent data collection, and targeted planning. Invasive species management at SARI has already reduced non-native plant pressure and allowed some native coastal vegetation to recover. Building on this progress, the project will create a mangrove-focused restoration plan aimed at reducing habitat fragmentation from historic development and filling ecosystem gaps created by NNI. This includes developing a clear, graphical representation of priority restoration and out-planting areas within the park. These tools will help NPS refine management practices, improve mangrove survival and establishment, and plan for future impacts such as storms, sea-level rise, and ongoing human use.
Communication and Education: Successful restoration depends on strong relationships between conservation agencies and local communities. Because SARI’s recovery is a shared accomplishment, it is essential that the benefits of native plant propagation and coastal restoration efforts are visible and attainable for the public. This project integrates an education and outreach component that directly supports this goal. The participant will develop an interpretive, field-based program that engages local students in hands-on mangrove ecology and restoration activities. By connecting youth with real-world resource management projects, the project fosters environmental stewardship, strengthens community understanding of mangrove conservation, and builds long-term support for restoration across the VI.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Background: Salt River Bay on St. Croix’s north shore includes over 4,000 acres of rich coastal and upland ecosystems, with 1,015 acres protected as Salt River Bay National Historical Park & Ecological Preserve (SARI). Decades of development introduced non‑native species, altered shorelines, and removed mangrove forests, leading to long‑term erosion and habitat loss.
Since 2010, the National Park Service has worked to restore native vegetation, remove invasive species, and rebuild critical coastal habitat. These efforts highlighted the need for a targeted mangrove restoration program to strengthen shoreline resilience and protect culturally significant areas along Hemmer’s Bay Peninsula and the northern shoreline.
This project will develop a focused mangrove restoration plan supported by propagation and experimental trials of the three native mangrove species and Buttonwood. A key priority is expanding education and outreach: the participant will design and implement an interpretive, hands‑on field program that engages local students in mangrove ecology, restoration techniques, and place‑based learning. This outreach component will foster community stewardship while directly connecting students to the ongoing restoration projects at Salt River Bay.
Project Description and participant Responsibilities:
- Develop a Mangrove Restoration Plan using historical data, existing park restoration efforts, and territorial best practices to guide site selection, planting schemes and disturbance response. This plan will complement the existing Native Plant Restoration Plan.
- Identify challenges in plant care, management, and out-planting, and create a mangrove-specific growing and planting guide to improve survival, growth, and resilience.
- Assist with propagule collection, propagation, and nursery care of mangrove species in the on-site native plant nursery.
- Establish an experiential learning program for local school groups, engaging over 100 students, 50 adults, and their families in field activities such as data collection, experimental plot setup, planting, and monitoring alongside scientists and managers.
- Interpret and disseminate findings by:
- Providing NPS resource managers with tools to support ongoing restoration while addressing natural and human-induced threats.
- Collaborating with local agencies (e.g., NPS, DPNR, USFWS, The Nature Conservancy) to integrate findings into broader territorial restoration plans.
- Creating a public-friendly summary of project results for distribution to local businesses, residents, and the general public to raise awareness of mangrove ecosystems and shoreline protection.
- Preparing baseline assessment results for submission to a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
DELIVERABLES
The SIP participant participating in this project will:
- Use data from historic records, existing park restoration projects and territorial ‘Best Practices’ for mangrove growth and planting to develop a Mangrove Restoration Plan for the site to improve and guide park efforts. This restoration plan will include:
- Baseline site data
- Planting schemes
- Future restoration sites
- Monitoring
- A response plan for natural and human disturbances, to ensure a coordinated park response
- Create a mangrove propagating, growing and planting guide to ensure high survival at all stages of the restoration plan. Assist with the set-up of new growing systems such as a hydroponic flow system.
- Develop and pilot an interpretive program that has a classroom and field component that can be modified for middle school, high school and college students.
- Gain significant communication and mentoring skills by conducting in-classroom programs prior to field-based learning experiences in the form of field trips for students in the US Virgin Islands. The participant will also develop a summary of project results to increase community awareness of local mangrove conservation efforts.
- Gain significant experience in disseminating project findings beyond the realm of academia.
- Support park staff by reducing deferred maintenance through regular upkeep of trails and the nursery.
- The participant will be exposed to the mid-term and final evaluation process, modeled after the NPS employee performance / appraisal plans, to simulate and train the participant for employment with NPS.
- Allow the NPS to cultivate the next generation of natural resource managers by passing on institutional knowledge critical to the success of the agency mission.
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
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Ecology, Botany or Environmental Science (or related field)-preferred, but would accept a student currently enrolled in an undergraduate program if they are fit for the position.
Required coursework (at undergraduate and/or graduate level): Biology, ecology, statistics, environmental sciences, botany.
Skills:
- Resource monitoring and data collection-use the scientific method to develop a monitoring plan for restoration efforts
- Data analysis and scientific writing –must demonstrate experience in data management and analysis
- Education / outreach experience with K-12 and undergraduate students – competent without supervision; must demonstrate proficient experience in science communication to local communities
- Management of large datasets – some experience preferred, but not necessary
- Development of education / outreach programs – some experience preferred, but not necessary
- Experience in native plant propagation and growing and nursery management recommended, but not required
Certification:
- Applicant MUST have a valid US drivers license and a good driving record
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Environment (on-site): CHRI is located in downtown Christiansted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. CHRI is the headquarters park for CHRI, BUIS and SARI. CHRI provides office accommodations within its historic buildings; Division of Resource Management is housed in the Fort Christiansvaern, circa late 1800s. The SIP would be provided a station in the Resource Management office; climbing stairs is required to reach most areas of the building (not easily reachable due to historic building status). During the field and outreach portion of the project, the SIP will be primarily on land at SARI, but there may be opportunities to explore the bays of SARI by kayak or walking trails. The site is hot and dry reaching temperatures of around 85-90 F during mid-day with very little shade. Occasional storms will result in increased wind and precipitation. Fellow safety is our greatest priority, and the fellow can refuse to participate in any aspect of the field activities if they feel uncomfortable or unprepared for any reason.
Local area: Low elevation, coastal parks located within the tropical/semi-tropical Caribbean. English is the primary language on the island; cars are American-designed but are driven on the left side of the road. This onsite component of the position would overlap with the beginning of the Caribbean hurricane season. The SIP would have park orientation to annual adverse/extreme weather training at the beginning of their visit. NPS will also assist the SIP in finding short-term lodging in a safe neighborhood located within walking distance to the NPS headquarters, grocery stores, post offices, banking, and other necessities. Lodgings are furnished and have Wi-Fi.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park housing is currently available but may become occupied before the position start date (TBD). However, as soon as the park is made aware of the acceptance of this application, housing will be reserved for the selected candidate. If the selected candidate is living in park housing it is a three-bedroom, two-bath house with shared living and kitchen space (potentially a shared bathroom). This means the selected candidate can have up to two additional housemates.
Although the park cannot always guarantee housing, selected candidate can confidently rely on the NPS network of support within this small Caribbean community. NPS will assist the selected candidate in finding a local short-term rental, as it done for previous student selected candidate. There are multiple options for short-term rentals in downtown Christiansted, all of which are in a safe neighborhood and are within walking distance to the NPS headquarters, grocery stores, post office, banks, and other necessities. Short-term lodgings are furnished and have Wi-Fi. We are requesting a subsidy for housing costs associated with the high cost of lodging accommodations in this island location. Adequate housing typically costs $800-$1000 per month.
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 Interpretive Assistant at Christiansted National Historic Site, Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve.
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!”
