POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4533
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Shiloh National Military Park, Shiloh, Tennessee
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 11/01/2026
End Date: 05/02/2027
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: Field Data Collection, Resource Stewardship, ArcGIS, GPS, Data Management, Land Use Planning, Natural Resource Projects, Flora and Fauna Inventory
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The National Park Service (NPS) preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of present and future generations. Continued advances in geospatial technology, field data collection, web-based mapping, and digital information sharing have made it increasingly possible for parks to manage resources more efficiently, accurately, and strategically.
Shiloh has already begun developing baseline GIS data and organizational structure for its spatial information; however, additional is needed to expand, verify, refine, and apply these data to broader park management needs. Because resource management staff have limited time to devote to large-scale GIS development and field verification, this position will provide valuable support in strengthening the park’s growing GIS program while also assisting with related natural resource management.
The Natural Resource Management Assistant participant’s contributions will help improve the park’s ability to document, organize, and use spatial data for both cultural and natural resources. The participant will support better decision-making in areas such as resource stewardship, invasive plant management, water resource monitoring, project planning, and general park operations. The data, maps, and workflows developed during the position will also support future compliance documentation, internal planning efforts, and educational or interpretive products for park staff and the public.
By helping build upon the park’s existing GIS foundation, the participant will contribute to a more modern, efficient, and sustainable approach to management of the park's resources in the years ahead.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Shiloh National Military Park, located in Hardin and Hardeman Counties in Tennessee and Alcorn County in Mississippi, was established on December 27, 1894. The multi-unit battlefield preserves over 7,000 acres that include temperate forests, historic agricultural fields, historic structures, markers, and monuments, watersheds, a prehistoric Mississippian Indian Mound village that is a National Historic Landmark (NHL), and a national cemetery. The park’s purpose is to preserve and interpret the battlefields, sites, resources, and oral histories associated with Shiloh, Tennessee, Pocahontas, Tennessee, and Corinth, Mississippi, during the Western Campaign of the Civil War. The park is also home to a variety of flora and fauna, including over 1,000 species of vascular plants, over 220 species of birds, 59 species of mammals, 28 species of reptiles, 26 species of amphibians, and 51 species of fish.
Resource management staff seeks to incorporate GIS into all facets of park management. While the park has begun developing baseline spatial data and GIS organization, additional projects is needed to expand, verify, refine, and apply these data to a broader range of natural and cultural resource management needs. This position will serve as a Natural Resource Management Assistant position with an emphasis on GIS, while also supporting a variety of field- and office-based resource management projects. The position will be up to a 26-week (six-month) appointment under the supervision of the natural resources program manager.
The duties, tasks, and responsibilities of the participant may include:
- Building upon and refining the park’s existing GIS database for important cultural battlefield features, such as historic tablets, monuments, historic structures, historic fields, burial trenches, cemetery boundaries, and government buildings.
- Expanding and improving existing GIS data for important natural and infrastructure-related features, such as streams, ponds, springs, roads, buildings, and other baseline park features.
- Integrating GIS to create, update, and maintain a series of baseline maps beneficial to natural and cultural resource management, planning, maintenance, emergency response, and park operations.
- Collecting GPS/GNSS field data and conducting field verification (ground-truthing) of mapped features to improve the accuracy of park spatial data and associated records.
- Supporting invasive plant and other natural resource mapping efforts, including the development and refinement of GIS layers that may assist with treatment planning, monitoring, and long-term resource stewardship.
- Assisting with water resource and other natural resource management tasks, such as water quality monitoring support, field observations, and related data organization.
- Helping organize, document, and improve GIS workflows, data structure, and map products so that resulting projects can be maintained and expanded by park staff in the future.
- Assisting the natural resources program manager with a variety of resource management duties, which may include both office and field assignments depending on park priorities.
DELIVERABLES
At the completion of this position, the participant will have assisted with water quality monitoring and completion of monthly field reports; developed, organized, and refined a meaningful body of baseline GIS data for the park; and created practical map products and new resource management layers to support park operations, planning, and stewardship. Deliverables may include baseline feature layers for roads, buildings, streams, ponds, springs, monuments, markers, cemetery boundaries, and other cultural and natural resource features; invasive plant mapping layers for priority species and treatment planning; and maps used for resource management, maintenance activities, emergency response, road closures, and project planning. The participant will have also assisted with field verification and GPS/GNSS data collection for selected features, support the integration of spatial information into park records and databases, and help document GIS workflows and data organization methods so that the resulting products can be maintained and expanded by park staff after the position.
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
The ideal candidate should have strong organizational skills and produce thorough, accurate project products. Applicants should have knowledge of and experience with ArcGIS Pro and/or ArcGIS Online and be an upper-level undergraduate or graduate student in GIS, geography, natural resources, environmental science, ecology, wildlife biology, forestry, or a related discipline. Preference will be given to applicants with at least 9–12 credit hours of GIS coursework, or equivalent applied experience.
Preference will be given to applicants who have experience with GPS/GNSS data collection, spatial data management, geodatabase organization, and map production. Familiarity with natural resource field projects, such as invasive plant mapping, vegetation surveys, wildlife observations, water resource projects, or other field-based monitoring, is desirable. The selected participant should be able to complete projects independently and as part of a team, communicate clearly, document workflows, and adapt to a variety of resource management assignments. The position will involve both office-based GIS-work and outdoor field projects in varying weather and terrain conditions.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Shiloh National Military Park consists of three units: Shiloh Battlefield, Siege and Battle of Corinth, and Davis Bridge Battlefield. The Siege and Battle of Corinth unit consists of 13 smaller managed units in and around Corinth, MS (Alcorn County). The Davis Bridge Battlefield unit is a recently acquired unit located in Pocahontas, TN (Hardeman County). The Shiloh Battlefield unit (the primary battlefield unit) is located in Shiloh, TN (Hardin County), West Tennessee and is bordered to the east by the Tennessee River.
Shiloh, TN is a small, unincorporated community. The park is in a rural area with the nearest town for amenities (Adamsville or Savannah) at least 10 miles away. The nearest major city is Memphis, TN, which is located a little over 100 miles west of Shiloh. Nashville, TN is the second closest major city The weather is humid subtropical; winters are mild with occasional snowfall, and summers are warm/hot with high humidity.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
The Shiloh Battlefield unit provides lodging for selected candidate and seasonals at the park. The primary housing unit is located at 270 Residence Circle (in Shiloh, TN). This unit includes three bedrooms and one full bathroom (with tub and shower) and a half bathroom. House is fully furnished. A washer and dryer are located on the east side of the house between the living room and half bathroom. Dishes, tableware, and cookware will be provided, as well as a convectional microwave oven. The residential unit is also as Quarters #4, or the Bunkhouse. This residence is within walking distance of the visitor center at Shiloh as well as the maintenance headquarters.
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 Shiloh National Military 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!”
