Natural Resource Management Assistant (36 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps Conservation Legacy Program

This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will contribute toward the conservation, management, research, and interpretation of the botanical and natural resources of the park which are high priority resources in the 2022 Resource Stewardship Strategy. This will also contribute to keeping the park open and reachable and providing a high-quality visitor experience by making existing information available and maintaining park resources.

The participant will assist with a variety of ongoing needs relating to the natural resources of the park and related sites. Primary areas of emphasis for this position will be selected from some of the following projects based on the selected applicant's strengths, experience, and interests: contribute to historic water rights to reestablish irrigation for the heritage orchard; identify, organize, and propagate, heritage plant species and species of ecological importance to maintain the heritage orchard, visitor center interpretive gardens, and for restoration projects; or data management of existing resource digital data including spatial data (GIS), publications, and reports. Other projects may include some of the following: night skies research and monitoring, monitoring and photographing landscapes to assess current condition; and assisting visiting researchers. Specialized projects may be available for candidates who have self-sufficient experience in botany, museum collections, invertebrate research, or integrating natural resources in cultural landscapes. Opportunities may also exist to apply the participant's specialized skills to related projects that have potential to benefit the park's resource stewardship program.

Specific projects, goals, and materials to be produced will be defined for the selected candidate based on individual skills and interests identified during the recruitment and interview process. Depending on specific projects, the materials will include cataloging, organizing and updating existing data, developing options and/or identifying opportunities for utilizing ground water for irrigation purposes, and identifying plant species for heritage conservation and public interpretation. Preparation of abstracts and presentations for the Sonoran Institute's Santa Cruz River Research Days will be encouraged.