Natural Resource Management Assistant (52 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Position Details Position ID(s): 4486 Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant – AmeriCorps Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements Site Location: Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Middlesboro, Kentucky 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 term. Benefits Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $7,395.00 upon successful completion (pre‑tax) Weekly Living Allowance: $775.00 per week (fixed rate, pre‑tax) Relocation Allowance: $450.00 (one‑time lump sum with first paycheck, pre‑tax) Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps) Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps) Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in) Childcare Coverage (opt in) Application Timeline Preference is given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first. Purpose This Natural Resource Management Assistant position supports wilderness character monitoring and broader wilderness stewardship at two National Park Service wilderness parks. The work directly contributes to the NPS mission of preserving natural and cultural resources and the statutory mandate of the Wilderness Act to preserve wilderness character. Deliverables include developing baseline assessment and monitoring frameworks that allow park managers to track changes and trends in wilderness character over time. Description of Duties The 52‑week term is organized into roughly six months at each park, beginning at Cumberland Gap. Duties include: developing the Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report, conducting baseline assessments and monitoring frameworks, performing initial five‑year monitoring intervals, and collaborating with park staff on interdisciplinary wilderness stewardship priorities. The position is primarily office‑based but may require occasional outdoor field activities. Deliverables Cumberland Gap National Historical Park (CUGA) : • Develop a wilderness character narrative describing the park’s wilderness attributes. • Create a wilderness character monitoring framework and related baseline assessment, including measures and associated data. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI) : • Update ORPI’s Wilderness Character Building Blocks Report to ensure policy compliance.

• Complete the first five‑year monitoring interval following the established framework.
• Document current measurements in the Five‑Year Reporting Summary and note observed changes and trends.

Qualifications United States citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident alien. High school diploma or equivalency; if not yet obtained, must obtain prior to receiving the education award. Ability to complete required background checks and provide eligibility information before starting. Available to serve the entire 52 weeks of service. Preferred Qualifications A bachelor’s degree is preferred, a master’s degree welcomed. Two years of college coursework may be considered. Preferred academic fields include wilderness management, natural resources management, parks and outdoor recreation management, natural/biological/physical sciences, environmental science, or political/social science. Preferred skills: technical writing, data management, verbal and written communication, Microsoft Office fluency, GIS applications, resource monitoring concepts, and digital/physical records management. Interpersonal collaboration skills are important for working with interdisciplinary staff specialists. Position Setting Cumberland Gap National Historical Park : Located at the intersection of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The park encompasses 24,547 acres, 14,091 of which are recommended wilderness. It offers 70 miles of hiking trails, mountains, streams, and caves. The nearest town, Middlesboro, Kentucky, is approximately 2 miles away. Knoxville, Tennessee is about 1½ hours away. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument : 330,000‑acre park in the Sonoran Desert, 95% designated wilderness. Over 100 miles of dirt roads and a 30‑mile border with Mexico. The nearest community, Ajo, AZ, is about 40 minutes away. Park temperatures in summer can reach high 100s; monsoon storms may bring intense rain and flash flooding. Housing Park housing is not available; participants must find housing nearby. Cumberland Gap offers free furnished duplexes (fully furnished, single occupant only). Organ Pipe Cactus provides 18 furnished homes with high‑speed Wi‑Fi. Vehicle and Driver’s License Requirements Valid driver’s license to operate a government vehicle. A personal vehicle is required for the position. Our Commitment We ensure full consideration of all qualified individuals and provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Physical requirements may include occasional overnight travel, non‑traditional work hours, varied terrain movement, lifting up to 25 pounds, and safe driving of organizational vehicles. Time Requirements Full‑time service each week; exact schedule may vary. Members may participate in national, state, or local service projects or events. Orientation and Training Project and site training from host site throughout the term. Orientation covering AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff. Evaluation and Reporting Requirements Performance is evaluated by completed AmeriCorps hours, satisfactory assignment completion, and other criteria communicated at the start of service. Reporting includes bi‑weekly timesheets, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid‑term report, and a final report. Equal Opportunity Statement 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!”. #J-18808-Ljbffr Environmentalstewards