Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Fort Bowie National Historic Site, Willcox, Arizona

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 36 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 02/01/2026

End Date: 10/11/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Relocation Allowance of $450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).
  • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 60 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 12 October, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 12 October, 2025. Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, 12 October, 2025.

PURPOSE

This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position supports the NPS policy requirement that every park unit have an inventory of cultural resources and know the current condition of those resources (a status which is maintained via regular monitoring or condition assessment) (Director’s Order 28A, Section 5A. Archeological Resource Stewardship). The SEAZ parks have gaps in this baseline data which inhibit the timeline for initiating natural resource restoration projects. To effectively manage natural resource restoration, compliance with cultural resource protection laws (e.g. National Historic Preservation Act) must occur before project commences. Baseline cultural resource data is essential to the compliance process. Natural resource stewardship is interdisciplinary and there is a significant overlap with managing for the protection of the park’s cultural resources.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The selected SIP SIP participant will collect resource management data to assist with legal compliance relating to natural and cultural resource protection laws (e.g. NEPA, NHPA, etc). The SIP participant will gain experience with physical and biological sciences but primarily support cultural resource management at Fort Bowie National Historic Site (FOBO) and Coronado National Memorial (CORO). FOBO preserves the structures of a miliary outpost which played a central role in the US Army’s campaign for westward expansion and the Chiricahua Apache’s fight to defend their homeland. While specific archeological site boundaries have been identified, the entire park is considered an archeological site, dictating natural and cultural resource management projects in tandem at this park. CORO was established to commemorate Francisco Vasquez de Coronado’s expedition through the US southwest and sits on the SIP participantational border with Mexico. Human impacts from SIP participantational border activity heavily impact the natural resources in this park. With multiple archeological site boundaries identified within the park, natural and cultural resource management must work together to restore damages caused by SIP participantational border activities. Maintaining and protecting natural and cultural resources are fundamental to both parks’ purposes. The last known archeological site condition assessments were conducted in the early-2000s or mid-2010s, depending on the site. Since that time, there has not been any follow up assessment to determine current site conditions or trends in change over time. Filling this data gap is a priority for the park and will be the focus of this position position. The selected SIP will use existing cultural resource data as a baseline, collect new data on archeological site conditions, identify any threats to the stability of the site, and recommend a monitoring schedule for conducting future condition assessments, stabilization and data recovery. The selected SIP SIP participant will serve in the division of Resource Management and will focus on archeological site monitoring and reporting for Fort Bowie National Historic Site and Coronado National Memorial. Additionally, the participant will assist as needed with various resource management tasks across the three SEAZ parks, including but not limited to, non-native invasive plants, special status wildlife, air quality, water quality, wildland fire, watershed health, precipitation, research activities, soundscapes, night sky quality, and historic structures. The participant will also be given opportunities to participate in field research led by NPS partners, go on educational field trips, and assist with public outreach events. Projects will be conducted independently and in small teams.

KEYWORDS: Archeological sites, surveying, documenting conditions, Field projects, reporting

DELIVERABLES

This project will address cultural resource management data gaps while satisfying high-priority statutory mandates for the park. The SIP participant will engage in meaningful service through an experience that fosters the next generation of resource stewards. Position deliverables include (1) final draft Condition Assessment reports for archeological sites within Fort Bowie National Historic Site and Coronado National Memorial, (2) where appropriate, in lieu of Condition Assessment reports, redocumentation of archeological sites within Fort Bowie National Historic Site and Coronado National Memorial, (3) a recommended schedule for conducting future condition assessments on each archeological site visited, and (4) a final presentation to SIP participantal park staff. Additionally, support for resume development will be given to the SIP participant to prepare for a future career in natural or cultural resource stewardship and management.

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 NPS site location.
• The applicant must be available to participate for 36 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
•Applicants must have completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in archeology, cultural resource management, or a related field. • Applicant must have taken at least one course in GIS, and have the ability to use ArcGIS and online GIS (ArcGIS Online, Google Earth, etc) for developing, managing, and displaying spatial data. • Have the ability to use standard office software such as Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc. •Have good data organization skills and be detail oriented. •Have good communication skills. •Be comfortable serving independently or with minimal supervision in the backcountry (field) or office. •Be comfortable serving on a team with a variety of backgrounds and skills. •Applicants must have an interest in and ability to serve in rural locations. •Must be physically able to hike long-distances, on- and off-trail, with a pack, in rugged terrain and extreme temperatures. •Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and be willing to operate government vehicles on a regular basis. •Successful applicants will have an interest in cultural resource management and enjoy recreating outdoors. •Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid preferred but not required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

The National Park Service's Southeast Arizona Group (SEAZ) includes Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, and Fort Bowie National Historic Site. These three parks are managed by one leadership team, headed by a superintendent, and share a resource management staff. Chiricahua National Monument (CHIR) is located on the west side of the Chiricahua Mountains, a Sky Island range in southeastern Arizona. CHIR is located on ancestral lands of the Chiricahua Apache who suffered persecution and forced removal from their homes. The park is known for its stunning rock formations and rich cultural history. CHIR also encompasses designated Wilderness which extends beyond the park boundary into adjacent Forest Service land. Elevation in CHIR ranges from 5,124 – 7,310 feet, and temperatures in the area range from 60-100 degrees in the summer and 0-50 degrees in the winter. The nearest amenities (groceries, gas, medical, etc.) are 35-45 minutes away, with the nearest town of Willcox, Arizona, (population 3,700) located 37 miles away. Participants will base out of an office at CHIR and spend about 50% of their time conducting projects in the field at the other two parks: Fort Bowie National Historic Site and Coronado National Memorial. Field projects involve strenuous hiking, long periods outdoors exposed to the elements, and potential exposure to physical and environmental hazards. The participant will receive training in backcountry hiking and safety. Prospective participants are advised that due to the parks’ proximities to the border with Mexico, illegal activity occurs in the form of drug smuggling and immigration. Employees and SIP participants must take extra precautions to assure the security of their equipment, vehicles, and persons. Border safety training will also be provided.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. The park will provide housing in a 2- or 3-bedroom house at Chiricahua National Monument (CHIR). The house is often shared with other seasonal staff, SIP participants, and visiting crews. There may be times when the participant is the only occupant in the house. Applicants should be comfortable living alone or with roommates. Each bedroom is private and communal shared spaces may be mixed gender or mixed age. The house contains a kitchen with amenities; laundry units are available in a separate building. Access to an on-site community gym is also available. Bedding (for queen-sized bed), towels, and toiletries will NOT be provided. Approximately 8 staff members and their families live on-site at CHIR in other housing units within the park.

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 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 email 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/.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.

TIME REQUIREMENTS

• This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks 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

• Orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Pertinent training from the NPS site location throughout the term of service.
• Free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of 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 and accomplishment tracking.

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 Chiricahua National Monument, Coronado National Memorial, Fort Bowie National Historic Site will host a Natural Resource Management Assistant.

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 a 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!”