Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Pacific West Region Office, Boise, Idaho

Can this position be fully remote: No - Must be within commuting distance to office location.

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 02/02/2026

End Date: 02/01/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $700.00 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).
• For 52-week-long positions only:
  • Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
  • Childcare Coverage (opt in)

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 Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will help park fire and resource managers to better understand the role of fire in park ecosystems and improve strategies to achieve fire and resource management goals and objectives. The products resulting from this will also help the public understand the importance of scientific information and help garner support for protecting natural ecosystem integrity and function of the parks for the enjoyment of future generations.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The proposed position will review past fire-related research projects conducted in National Park Service (NPS) units across the country and communicate the findings in ways that will be useful for both NPS managers and the public. Scientific reports and publications that have resulted from nearly 20 years of research projects in parks will be compiled, summarized, and communicated in creative ways through a variety of formats and platforms. These valuable information resources will highlight the importance of scientific findings in understanding the role of fire in our national parks and improving our ability to manage fires safely and effectively.

KEYWORDS: fire ecology, research, communication, fire management, natural resources

DELIVERABLES

The primary deliverables from this position will be organized summaries and highlights of fire-related research projects that have been conducted in parks, communicated in innovative ways to NPS managers and the public. These products may include written summaries, resource briefs, presentations, data visualizations, communication plans, webpages, story maps, and video productions.

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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Candidates must have experience in written and oral communication. Candidates must also have the ability to work collaboratively with the supervisor in developing work plans and the ability to work independently once direction is provided. Candidates should have experience with communicating scientific information using a variety of methods including written, oral, and visual displays. Knowledge of fire management and/or the ecological effects of fire is desired. The ability to quickly become familiar with multiple types of information systems including database and GIS, as well as previous work with ecological data, are also preferred.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

A majority of the position is performed in an office setting with adequate light, heat, and ventilation. Occasional site visits to park units in the local area may create exposure to a variety of physical settings including extreme climatic conditions and rugged terrain.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is not required for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is NOT available. The SIP participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.

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 Pacific West Region Office will host a Science Communication 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!”