POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4488
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego, California
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 01/04/2027
End Date: 03/29/2027
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: $ 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)
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: Spiny Red Berry, Seed propagation, Plant cloning, Native plant restoration, Scientific writing
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will contribute towards native plant habitat restoration and management, ethnobotany, and interpretation of our coastal sage scrub. The participant will collaborate on developing successful propagation and cloning techniques using seeds/samples collected at the park, particularly Spiny Redberry. This is an ethnobotanically significant natural resource and host to the globally vulnerable Hermes Copper butterfly, a species of cultural significance to the Kumeyaay.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Co-production of knowledge and engagement are critical to coastal sage scrub habitat maintenance and restoration at Cabrillo National Monument (CABR) and in the surrounding San Diego Community. Due to increasing development and urbanization, coastal sage scrub only occupies 15% of its historic range. This project is co-developed between CABR divisions Interpretation & Education and Resources Management and Science Division and Tribal partner Viejas Band of the Kumeyaay Nation for a Viejas Band or Kumeyaay Nation member to complete projects for native plant restoration techniques. The participant will engage restoration leaders in NPS and Tribal Nations in knowledge sharing workshops to improve the condition of coastal sage scrub habitat in southern California. The SIP will assist in native plant restoration and propagation with a specific focus on Spiny Redberry (Rhamnus crocea).
DELIVERABLES
Develop propagation methods and techniques, plan and present native plant workshops, and create educational products (e.g., social media posts, planting guides, waysides) to share with Kumeyaay Nation, park partners and Pacific West Region parks as applicable.
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 have an interest in botany/ethnobotany, strong writing and communication skills, ability to collaborate with a team as well as independently, and ability to conduct projects primarily outdoors in varying weather. Preference for applicants with experience collaborating with or otherwise affiliated with the Viejas Band and/or Kumeyaay Nation.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Cabrillo National Monument sits at the end of the Point Loma Peninsula. Our proximity to the Pacific Ocean and San Diego Bay has a major influence on weather in the area. Coastal marine layers can develop at any time, bringing moisture, cooler temperatures, and wind to the park. The office building sits on a cliff overlooking the bay and has favorable temperatures year-round. Point Loma is the nearest community to the park. There is a small shopping center six miles down the road with a grocery store, sandwich shop, coffee shop, and frozen yogurt.
Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians government office resides in the Cuyamaca Mountains’ Viejas Valley of eastern San Diego County. At approximately 2,224 feet (678 meters) above sea level, the area enjoys mild, wet winters typical of Mediterranean weather with Santa Ana winds during the fall and winter. The Viejas Outlet Center, 3 miles from the office, hosts many retail shops and restaurants. Another 2 miles down the road is the community Alpine, offering grocery stores and markets, fast-food and sit-down restaurants, and retail shopping.
Projects will primarily be outdoors on uneven terrain, dense vegetation, and varying weather conditions. The participant must be able to conduct projects in all different weather conditions, sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time, and lift up to 25 lbs.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
There are nearby housing options throughout San Diego from private rooms to apartment rentals. Monthly rental prices vary depending on the neighborhood, ranging between $1,000-$2,0000.
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 Cabrillo National Monument.
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!”
