POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4493
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: James A. Garfield National Historic Site, Mentor, Ohio
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: $ 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: forestry, orchard restoration, historical research, landscape architecture development
PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The SIP will make a positive impact on the interpretation and historic landscape at the Garfield site. The Garfield Farm bolstered the ideological underpinnings of James A. Garfield’s campaign for the presidency in 1880. The Orchard was a key feature of the historical landscape of the Garfield Farm. There were orchards planted on a section of the site that today contains damaged and missing fruit trees grafted from originals during the site restoration in the 1990’s (according to the Cultural Landscape Plan). The site would benefit from an SIP researching what tree species were in this historic orchard during the specified time period and developing a plan to plant new trees based on their findings. A tree care plan would be included to outline maintenance of the trees and orchard landscape. Finally, interpretive products would be suggested to enhance visitors’ cultural understanding of this orchard and how the cultivation of fruit trees contributed to the family income and ethic James Garfield, father, tried to instill in his sons.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
SIP will research and develop a plan for the historic orchards on the Garfield Farm from 1876 – 1899 to support restoration of appropriate species. The plan will include species, number of trees, planting and long-term care of the orchard. SIP will utilize the Cultural Landscape Plan and other park resources to assist in their projects and learning.
DELIVERABLES
List of trees to plant in the orchard including approved 889 vendors to purchase the trees and cost estimates for each type of tree; narrative report updating the current history of the orchard in the Cultural Landscape Plan; annotated bibliography; GIS representations of original orchards and proposed new plantings; tree care plan specific to the species planted; suggestions for interpretive products (site bulletin, wayside exhibit, additions to guided grounds tour, etc.) based on SIP’s research; consultation with arborists from Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Holden Arboretum.
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
Ideal degree types: forestry, environmental science, natural resources, and horticulture. Skilled in research using primary sources, reading landscape plans, knowledge of local and regional environment and its effect on various species of fruit trees, ability to communicate research in both narrative and technical methods. Ability to be an ambassador for the Garfield site and National Park Service when collaborating with outside organizations.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
SIP will have space in a group setting where staff desks are in a shared space. Ability to climb stairs is required, but accommodations can be provided if this is not possible. The program area is located directly off a paved walking path and is grassy with uneven ground. The area is adjacent to the office space. Northeast Ohio temperatures range from highs of 65 degrees in October and 41 degrees in December. Snow is not uncommon. The city of Mentor is a suburb of Cleveland, with many amenities and places to shop and eat.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Local selected candidate preferred. JAGA is in a metropolitan adjacent city with multiple housing options to rent. Average rent in and around Mentor, Ohio is between $925-$1,350.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
- A personal vehicle is not 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 James A. Garfield National Historic Site.
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!”
