POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4527
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, California
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: $ 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: Marine biology, Rocky intertidal, Long-term monitoring, Tidepools, Data management
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The NPS has been required since 2013 to make Federally funded research available to the public. Since 2013, two additional memoranda have been issued further establishing the importance and need for Federal agencies to share their research and data with the public. The SIP will provide valuable services to the park ensuring that they achieve DOI-level requirements laid out in the DOI Public available Plan.
The RIMP and SMP at CHIS were initiated in 1981 as prototype NPS Inventory and Monitoring programs. We now have over four decades of monitoring data and photographs documenting the condition of the rocky intertidal coastline and seabird colonies at CHIS. However, staff shortages have prevented us from accomplishing some of these critical data archival and publication duties.
Within the last 12 months, the monitoring programs at CHIS have been mandated to ensure past physical data be scanned, organized, and archived at an offsite location. It is imperative that all RIMP and SMP data and associated files are archived in a systematic manner that is compliant with NPS information management practices set forth in the Department of Interior (DOI) Public available Plan [1]. The SIP will collaborate with the program leads and the network data scientist to ensure thorough documentation and archival of all data, including metadata, related to the RIMP. The SIP will also provide valuable field assistance to the RIMP and SMP and see firsthand how data collection is planned and safely implemented.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Channel Islands National Park (CHIS) is a ‘resource park’ formed in 1980 to preserve and protect the unique natural and cultural resources of the California Channel Islands for current and future generations. The park was designated as one of four prototype resource inventory and monitoring units in the NPS which informed and guided the establishment of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division in 1998.
Due to the undisturbed nature of the park’s tidepools and the important breeding and foraging habitats for seabirds, these ecosystems were recognized as special features of the islands in the park’s enabling legislation, and long-term monitoring programs, the Rocky Intertidal Monitoring Program (RIMP) and the Seabird Monitoring Program (SMP) were created. To conserve these ecosystems unimpaired for future generations, the NPS has been conducting annual monitoring of the rocky intertidal communities and seabird colonies at the islands since 1981, making these some of the longest running resource monitoring programs in the world.
The Mediterranean Coast Network (MEDN) of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring program (I&M) includes long-term ecological monitoring programs at CHIS, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Cabrillo National Monument. Both RIMP and SMP are important components of the MEDN I&M Program. One of I&M's primary goals is to address management issues based on scientific analysis of data collected methodically over time, and to preserve that data for future reference and re-analysis. The position will include an orientation to MEDN I&M and its three parks, as well as interactions with the network Data Scientist, Dr. Lauren Pandori, to learn about data archival and publication procedures.
Since the RIMP and SMP were initiated, federal agencies have been mandated to make their research findings and data publicly available. To comply with Federal requirements, CHIS must process more than four decades of RIMP and SMP data, some of which still need to be digitized and catalogued. However, budget cuts and hiring freezes have resulted in reduced staffing and prevented the RIMP and SMP from meeting this mandate.
The Scientists in Park (SIP) participant will provide critical assistance bringing the CHIS monitoring programs into compliance with NPS information management practices set forth in the Department of Interior (DOI) Public available Plan [1]. Specifically, the SIP, under close mentorship of the program leaders, will systematically archive data related to the RIMP and SMP. The SIP will be trained in digitizing, backing up, and organizing files before they are packaged and shipped to a long-term storage facility.
The data collection season for the RIMP is October through April, which aligns with the SIP winter season. There will be multiple opportunities for the SIP selected candidate to assist in field data collection, and in the office entering and checking data, and generating graphs or summaries for reports. There will also be opportunities to assist the SMP conduct field surveys, including surveys for crevice nesting species (e.g., Ashy Storm Petrels and Scripps Murrelets) and potentially helping to deploy SongMeter4 automated recording units (ARUs) to help document the distribution of these secretive birds.
Transportation to the islands is via boat and helicopter. Field projects may involve multi-day stays in park housing on the islands and will include collaborating in a variety of weather conditions.
DELIVERABLES
Over the course of the position, the SIP will support program staff with data entry, data quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC), and cataloguing and digitization of data. They will also contribute valuable field assistance and gain unique experience conducting field projects in a remote and logistically challenging location (CHIS).
The primary deliverables of the position are to:
- Assist program staff in ensuring that past and current data are properly entered and archived in NPS DataStore, and
- Support program staff with field-based monitoring activities for the RIMP and SMP at CHIS.
For component (1), program staff will train the participant in data entry procedures and QA/QC protocols for RIMP and SMP datasets. Staff will collaborate with the participant to verify that all data are accurately entered and reviewed. The SIP will also receive training in archiving program data and assets, including physical and digital datasheets as well as physical and digital photographs. At the completion of this component, the participant will produce a report summarizing all successfully entered and archived data, along with any remaining or outstanding tasks.
Component (2) will involve the SIP joining program staff on field missions to RIMP and SMP long-term monitoring sites to support annual data collection efforts. The SIP will assist in conducting biological surveys, collecting field data, and participating in various field activies as assigned.
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
While prior coursework or formal experience in marine biology is not required, a foundational background in biology or environmental science would aid in the comprehension and interpretation of the RIMP and SMP datasets. We are seeking an individual who is self-motivated, well-organized, and intellectually curious. The ideal candidate demonstrates a strong eagerness to learn new skills and consistently maintains excellent attention to detail. Experience with hiking and field projects are desired but not required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Headquarters (HQ) for Channel Islands National Park is located in the Ventura Harbor in Ventura, California. Ventura is located 70 miles north of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. Plane, train, and bus service are all available to Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Only train, bus, and private car transportation are available from Los Angeles and Santa Barbara to Ventura. The proximity of HQ to the Pacific Ocean has a major influence on weather in the area. Coastal marine layers can develop at any time, bringing moisture, cooler temperatures, and wind to HQ, while inland regions remain warm and sunny. Ventura Harbor has a favorable temperature year-round, except for a few weeks in summer. There are numerous shopping centers within five miles of HQ including grocery stores, restaurants, and pharmacies. Projects will be done in an office setting and outdoors in rocky, uneven terrain. Long periods of sitting and standing are to be expected. Most projects will be done indoors, analyzing data, labeling photographs, and preparing reports. When participating in field projects, the selected candidate can expect to be in dense vegetation, on steep inclines with uneven terrain, and in varying weather conditions. The selected candidate must be able to conduct projects in all different weather conditions, sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time, and lift up to 50 lbs.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
There is no housing at the park. As the park is in an urban setting, there are numerous options for housing in the immediate area. Private room rentals in Ventura can cost over $1200 per month. There is reliable public transportation to the park, so selected candidate will not need to own a vehicle.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant will not need 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 Channel Islands 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!”
