POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4485
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Joshua Tree National Park and Yosemite National Park, California
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/19/2026
End Date: 10/18/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 775.00 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)
- For 52-week positions only:
- Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
- Childcare Coverage (opt in)
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: Wilderness, Wilderness Character, Monitoring, Stewardship, Preservation, Resource Management
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The deliverables of this project are directly related to the NPS mission and Organic Act mandate to preserve natural and cultural resources, as well as the statutory mandate of the Wilderness Act to preserve wilderness character. With over 80% of all NPS acreage managed as wilderness, wilderness character monitoring serves an important purpose for the majority of NPS lands and waters. This monitoring establishes a baseline condition from which changes and trends in wilderness character can be tracked over time. Wilderness character preservation is directly associated with the NPS mission to 'conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.' This mission statement is remarkably similar to the policy statement in the Wilderness Act which states that wilderness areas 'shall be administered for the use and enjoyment of the American people in such manner as will leave them unimpaired for future use and enjoyment as wilderness, and so as to provide for the protection of these areas, the preservation of their wilderness character, and for the gathering and dissemination of information regarding their use and enjoyment as wilderness.' This position's contributions to wilderness character preservation in two wilderness parks will benefit the parks' wilderness areas, broader natural and cultural resources, and the people who connect to these places.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This 52-week position will support wilderness character monitoring and broader wilderness stewardship at Yosemite National Park (YOSE) and Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR). The participant is expected to spend approximately six months at each park, starting at YOSE in October 2026.
Over 80 percent of all National Park Service (NPS) lands are managed as federal wilderness per the Wilderness Act and NPS wilderness policy. The concept of wilderness character, which is referenced in the Wilderness Act, is one of the most prominent attributes that distinguishes federal wilderness from other federal public lands. Wilderness character is defined as a holistic concept based on the interaction of (1) biophysical environments primarily free from modern human manipulation and impacts, (2) personal experiences in natural environments relatively free from the encumbrances of modern society, and (3) symbolic meanings of humility, restraint, and interdependence that inspire human connection with nature.
Service at YOSE will center on developing their Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report, which includes the Wilderness Basics and the baseline assessment for monitoring wilderness character in the park. These building blocks provide managers with the foundation for effectively integrating wilderness character into planning, management, and monitoring. The Wilderness Basics succinctly describes fundamental information about a specific wilderness area, like the Congressionally designated Yosemite Wilderness, consolidating key reference information in one location. The Wilderness Basics include 1) background information; 2) wilderness character narrative; and 3) issues for future wilderness stewardship planning. The wilderness character baseline assessment, and accompanying monitoring framework, establishes a pathway to track change in wilderness character over time. This gives managers a tangible means of answering the question, 'Are we preserving wilderness character?'
Service at JOTR will center on conducting the park's first five-year monitoring interval for wilderness character in the Congressionally designated Joshua Tree Wilderness, informed by their previously completed baseline assessment (and some updates to this original assessment may also be needed). Monitoring involves 1) revisiting every measure originally selected in the park's baseline assessment, ensuring these measures and the overall framework are in compliance with current NPS wilderness policy and continue to reflect high priority wilderness stewardship issues for the park; 2) determining a current reported measure value for every measure in the monitoring framework. This monitoring may include data collection, collation, and/or analysis. Monitoring will be documented to compare baseline assessment measure values to the current reported measure values, noting changes or trends in overall wilderness character. This position may provide other support to wilderness stewardship as time affords.
In both parks, this position will involve extensive collaboration and coordination with park staff to identify interdisciplinary priorities for wilderness stewardship that help to preserve wilderness character and address high priority needs and concerns of each park.
NOTE: This is primarily an indoor, office-based position, with potential for occasional outdoor field activities.
DELIVERABLES
The participant will be responsible for completing the following deliverables:
Yosemite National Park (YOSE): 1) Develop a wilderness character narrative describing the attributes of the park’s wilderness; 2) Develop a wilderness character monitoring framework and related baseline assessment, including measures and associated data, to help identify changes and trends in wilderness character over time. These components will be documented in the Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report, with baseline measures values entered in the national wilderness character monitoring database.
Joshua Tree National Park (JOTR): 1) Update JOTR's Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report to ensure compliance with current NPS wilderness character monitoring policy and that monitoring reflects high priority wilderness stewardship needs for JOTR; 2) Complete the first five-year monitoring interval for wilderness character, following the monitoring framework described in the park's Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report (and any updates made); 3) Document the current reported measure values in the Wilderness Character Monitoring Five-Year Reporting Summary and make note of observed changes and trends relative to the baseline assessment. This reporting will also be entered in the national wilderness character monitoring database.
All deliverables will be developed in accordance with the NPS Wilderness Character Monitoring Technical Guide (2023) and Keeping It Wild 2: An Updated Interagency Strategy to Monitor Trends in Wilderness Character Across the National Wilderness Preservation System (2015).
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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor's degree is preferred but not required, and a master’s degree would be most welcomed. Two years of college level academic experience may be considered. Preferred academic fields include but are not limited to wilderness management; natural resources management; parks and outdoor recreation management; natural, biological, and/or physical sciences; environmental science; and political or social science. Preferred skills include technical writing, data management, verbal and written communication skills, fluency in Microsoft Office applications, and comfort with self-initiated projects. A strong acumen in GIS applications, resource monitoring concepts, and digital and physical records management is also preferred. This position will require close collaboration with interdisciplinary staff specialists at the park. Interpersonal communication and collaboration skills will enhance the participant's ability to successfully achieve their deliverables. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Yosemite: Yosemite National Park covers 1200 square miles in a fairly remote, rural area of the south Sierra Nevada mountains in California, just under 200 miles east of the San Francisco Bay area (4-5 hours driving). Fall is often great weather in the park, with precipitation usually starting in late fall/early winter. Yosemite Valley is located at about 4000 feet of elevation, with the Merced River running between steep glacier-carved canyon walls. The winters in Yosemite Valley can have limited direct sunlight and be cold, including snow, rain and fog, with average highs in the low 40soF, overnight lows down to the high 20s, and winter wonderland postcard views! Spring warming brings raging waterfalls from higher elevation snowmelt. About 95% of the park's area is wilderness, as part of a larger continuous wilderness across the Sierra with surrounding USFS and NPS units. Yosemite Valley has a concession-run grocery store (Village Store), and some restaurants. El Portal has a small market, gas station and two hotel-restaurants in the area. The town of Mariposa and city of Merced have larger grocery stores, and many amenities on the west/southwest side of the park, as does Oakhurst to the south. The larger city of Fresno is just over 2 hours south of Yosemite Valley, and has all services. Most parts of Yosemite Valley have cell phone coverage (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile). Verizon is best for other areas in and around the park, but it is spotty in parts of El Portal and elsewhere.
Joshua Tree: Joshua Tree National Park is in southern California about 2.5 hours from Los Angeles, 3 hours from Las Vegas, NV, and about 2.5 hours with the border of Mexico. The “low desert” is all the cities from Palm Springs to Mecca considered the Coachella Valley whereas the “high desert” is where the national park is located with neighboring towns of Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, and 29 Palms. During this position's time in the park, the temperatures will likely range on the hotter side. Be prepared to experience high temperatures of up to 115 degrees on the hottest of days and evenings around 90 degrees. Average temperatures in the summer months in the town of 29 Palms where park housing is located range from 95-105 degrees F with evening temperatures dropping to 80 degrees. These hot temperatures usually start in June – August and September temperatures begin to “cool” to the 90s. Once fall arrives, temperatures will lower. The travel time from the Luckie Center (name of the housing facility) to park headquarters is about a 15-minute drive. Park headquarters is also located in the city of 29 Palms. The drive is on a highway going through the town of 29 Palms. In 29 Palms there are 2 grocery stores, several coffee shops, some restaurants, an amazing bakery! (with very limited hours), and the park visitor center. For more grocery store options, the town of Yucca Valley is nearby (about 20-minute drive) and has a Walmart and many more food options. The closest hospital is a 20-minute drive from the Luckie Center and urgent care centers are in the town of Yucca Valley about a 25–30-minute drive from the Luckie Center. Cell phone service is best acheived at the Luckie Center. There is WiFi. Cell phone service is very spotty and does not work in the park. There is cell phone service in neighboring towns and Wi-Fi at park headquarters. AT&T is the best coverage, but all major cell phone providers do have service outside the park.
HOUSING
Park housing is available.
Yosemite: Park housing IS available at no cost to the participant. Park housing will be located in Yosemite Valley or El Portal, about 15 slow miles apart. This position will be stationed primarily in Yosemite Valley and/or El Portal. Housing may be a shared unit (possible roommate) with separate bedrooms. It will be furnished with furniture and basic appliances (refrigerator, stove/oven).
Joshua Tree National Park: Park housing IS available at no cost to the participant. Provided housing is located on the outskirts of the town of 29 Palms. The house, known as the Luckie Center, is inside the park boundary but does not connect to the park by any roads. A personal vehicle is required to get to the house and the office. The house is a study center reserved for visiting researchers and other partners working at the park. You may have a roommate in another bedroom and may be sharing the kitchen and laundry facilities. You will have your own bathroom. There may also be crews visiting and staying in the bunkhouse which is adjacent to the main house. The bunkhouse is a separate facility but occasionally residents may need to use the laundry. The house does have heating and air conditioning. The house has a rustic appeal. Be prepared to possibly set mouse traps and store food in containers.
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 Joshua Tree National Park, Yosemite 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!”
