POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4498
Position Title: Education Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Hodgenville, Kentucky
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 12/28/2026
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: citizen science, education, interpretation, communication, community
PURPOSE
This Education Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (ABLI) is committed to restructuring the park’s Education Program & using it as a catalyst in efforts to transform this National Park Service unit from a traditional to a 21st Century national park. As part of this effort, ABLI is developing paths that lead to enhanced, multidisciplinary programming & educational curriculum that can be replicated onsite in-person, offsite in the classroom, online through distance learning programs, & online via our website, social media & the NPS App. A large part of this transformation will be through the launch of the “Lincoln Learning Lab” as well as through partnerships with community groups and organizations. The Lincoln Learning Lab is a Freedom250 initiative undertaken by the park to be used to deliver creative & engaging video content that will be attainable for park audiences anywhere, at any time. It is slated to launch in 2026. Content will be posted on the park's website and social media including the creation and use of a new YouTube channel. QR codes will be posted so that content is available at any time. The park will also enlist the help of subject matter experts to assist with the development and delivery of content. By collaborating with both the Knob Creek Conservancy and the City of Hodgenville, we can adopt a team approach to enhance recreational opportunities for both the community and ABLI visitors. This initiative will introduce innovative citizen science projects, empowering residents to engage with their public lands in exciting new ways. Together, we aim to transform the way Hodgenville interacts with its natural resources, fostering a deeper connection and stewardship within the community
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The primary role of this position is to serve as a Citizen Science Educator, driving the expansion of the park's citizen science initiatives throughout the community. The selected individual will collaborate closely with the park’s Supervisory Park Ranger (who oversees Visitor Services, Education, Volunteers and Resource Management) to develop innovative citizen science programs at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park (ABLI) and within local community, engaging both K-12 students and adult learners. Key Responsibilities: • Support the development of the “Lincoln Learning Lab” that the park is launching in 2026 as part of the Freedom250 observance. The participant will contribute to creating content for this online digital video library so it can be obtained by anyone and anytime. • Lead volunteer groups in hands-on data collection activities, fostering a spirit of community involvement and stewardship. • Promote participation in existing citizen science programs, enhancing outreach and engagement. In addition, the SIP participant will projects alongside the park staff to create engaging and informative webpages, videos and social media posts. These will showcase collected data, highlight citizen science opportunities, and provide valuable curriculum resources for local educators. Additional Tasks Include: • Conducting data collection with volunteer teams and analyzing results to inform future programs. • Delivering engaging educational programming to K-12 students and teachers to inspire interest in citizen science. • Assisting with virtual educational sessions to reach broader audiences. • Creating written and digital promotional materials to effectively communicate the impact of citizen science initiatives. • Utilizing social media channels and park website to share findings and promote community involvement. This position will in addition significantly enhance the communication and education efforts of ABLI by actively engaging with the public, K-12 students, and teachers. By fostering enthusiasm for citizen science, the SIP Participant will invite and encourage local community participation in ABLI's participatory science initiatives community wide. In FY25, the education program at ABLI reached over 18,000 education contacts. This role will build upon that foundation, expanding outreach and impact, and further integrating citizen science into educational experiences that inspire environmental stewardship and community involvement.
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables for this position will include, but are not limited to: • Engaging Webpage Development Create and launch dynamic webpages that effectively highlight citizen science opportunities and showcase the accomplishments of citizen science initiatives at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace NHP (ABLI). These pages will serve as a valuable resource for educators and community members. • Facilitation of Citizen Science Programs Successfully facilitate guided citizen science programs within the community, maintaining an average of two programs per week following an initial training period of two weeks. These programs will engage local audiences, fostering a deeper understanding of local environmental issues. • Comprehensive Lesson Plans Develop a minimum of four comprehensive lesson plans that align with Kentucky state educational standards. These plans will seamlessly integrate citizen science concepts into classroom instruction, empowering educators to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. • Program Video Library development the SIP participant will complete projects alongside park staff to research, develop, deliver, record and edit videos about various aspects of the park related to the park story, environmental stewardship and community involvement. These videos will become part of the “Lincoln Learning Lab” and will be used well into the future past the time of the SIP participant’s involvement in the program.
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
Applicants should possess a high school diploma or equivalent accreditation. Experience in public speaking and proficiency in basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, are essential. Strong time management skills are also required. Candidates should be comfortable completing projects both independently and collaboratively in group settings. Ideal applicants will have a background or college coursework in education, environmental science, communication, biology, or other related fields. A passion for environmental education and community engagement will be highly valued.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The position will take place in a park setting, including a mix of computer/office-based activities and outdoor projects. Field projects will include walking both on and off trails, uneven areas, and may include up to five miles of walking per day. Weather in Kentucky can be hot in the summer, with average highs around 85 degrees and high humidity. A personal vehicle required for living in park, as the town surrounding the park does not have public transportation. The town of Hodgenville has a population of around 3,000 residents and is largely rural in nature with limited amenities. There are a few fast food and local restaurants and 2 small grocery stores. The larger towns of Elizabethtown (20 miles away) and Bardstown (30 miles away) would offer greater opportunities for shopping, restaurants, hospitals and entertainment
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
The selected individual for this position will live in park housing. The park houses were built in the late 1950s when the park's Birthplace Unit Visitor Center was built. Each house has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Each person will have their own bedroom but will have to share the bathrooms. Common areas will also be shared and include a kitchen, dining room and living room area. The house is fully furnished. The house contains a washer and dryer as well as a microwave, oven and refrigerator in the kitchen. The kitchen is also supplied with plates, glasses, cutlery, as well as some pots and pans. The park has provided a limited number of sheets, blankets, and towels for occupants to use, but all of these items are shared among house members. Selected individuals are strongly encouraged to bring some of their own personal items, such as bedding and kitchen supplies, to make their stay more comfortable and enjoyable.
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 Education Assistant at Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical 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!”
