Natural Resource Management Assistant – AmeriCorps

Job Type: Location Type: Remote: open to residents of specific US states

 

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown, Virginia

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 01/12/2026

End Date: 01/11/2027

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 $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).
• 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 Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The park is in need of botanical, biological, and coastal data collection and documentation. The position will collect new baseline data and follow-on information to existing studies. The impact of data collection activities is that the park can use the information for management decisions, related to conservation efforts.

Developing natural resource data and project proposals, particularly regarding the impacts of tree fall on cultural resources will also enhance park cultural resource manager’s ability to manage the impacts and focus recovery efforts in threatened areas.

The deliverables of this position should provide evidence-based insights for park management and planning related to natural resource conservation efforts and cultural resources.

Monitoring of botanical and biological species change including identifying and measuring flora and fauna species and their distribution is important to allow the park to target and develop intervention and removal projects in a timely manner.

The SIP will utilize and help manage geospatial data. This data helps improve the accuracy and availbility of ecological data. Producing high quality maps helps park staff visualize and analyze habitat and resource distribution, which helps inform management decision and allows the park to educate visitors.

The hands-on experience gained by the SIP not only enhances their professional skills in ecological monitoring, data analysis, and project management but also builds capacity within the park to implement and sustain long-term ecological initiatives.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Natural Resource Management Assistant SIP position will learn about and develop skills in five general areas

1. Botanical Surveys and Plant Community Monitoring:

The SIP will support and conduct field surveys of native and invasive plant species in key ecological zones (e.g., marshes, upland forests, successional meadows). Identifying and mapping invasive plants species, which will help the park identify areas for future removal projects. This project will include identifying and measuring instances and stands of golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea), empress tree (Paulownia tomentosa), Chinese Privet (ligustrum sinense), Chinese wisteria (Wisteria sinenses), English ivy (hedera helix), Japanese stiltgrass (microstegium vimineum) and Phragmites (Phragmites australis). The SIP will collaborate with Master Naturalists to identify and document sensitive plant populations including the Whorl Begonia. The SIP participant will assist with developing natural resource data that can be included in park planning. The person in this position will assist in developing a project proposal to understand the impacts of tree fall on cultural resources.

2. Biological Monitoring and Wildlife Observations:

Support amphibian, reptile, bird, and/or small and large mammal surveys using park protocols (visual encounter surveys, incidental observations, etc.). The park has recently completed a study of turtle mortality on Jamestown Island (Siegel 2025). The SIP participant in this position will assist with outreach and education related to the turtle study. They may also be asked to document habitat use and threats to species of concern. Recent anecdotal sources have indicated that new species may be moving through or into the area. A black bear was identified on several cameras on properties directly adjacent to the park in the Yorktown unit. This position will help with installation and monitoring of trail cameras to determine if any new or unique to the area species are remaining. They will maintain a field journal and enter species data into NPS wildlife databases (e.g., NPSpecies, IRMA).

3. GIS and Spatial Data Integration:

The SIP in this position will georeference all field data using GPS and enter into park geodatabases. They will produce high-quality maps and data layers (wetlands, vegetation, monitoring stations, etc.) in ArcGIS Pro and later systems. They will contribute to ArcGIS Online web maps related to resource management at COLO. They will also assist in supporting long-term monitoring datasets with geospatial context for analysis and reporting.

4. Shoreline Monitoring

Conduct monthly shoreline surveys using GPS and erosion monitoring protocols developed by Lowery (2008 and implemented by Fuka, et al (2022). This monitoring will help the park track the rate of change and identify baseline data at new sites within the park’s boundaries. The position will Identify and monitor erosion hot spots, vegetated buffers, and infrastructure at risk from storm surge. The position will use geospatial data to help inform risk assessments and coastal adaptation planning.

5. Wetland Monitoring:

The position may assist with water quality testing of tidal and non-tidal wetlands (pH, salinity, turbidity, DO, etc.). as part of ongoing wetland studies. They may also participate in sampling and logging of groundwater levels from shallow monitoring wells and assist with monitoring salinity intrusion into freshwater marshes and bottomland hardwoods.

KEYWORDS: Scientist, Monitoring, GIS, Resources, Communications

DELIVERABLES

Botanical species inventory and vegetation maps for surveyed areas.

Updated shoreline erosion maps and monitoring site shapefiles.

Biological species inventory and mapping

Final report summarizing the activities associated with this year’s position in including geospatial visualizations and management recommendations for each of the main topics observed throughout the year.

Geospatial data that is captured and included within regional and national GIS frameworks.

Participate in outreach activities related to natural resources of the park.

Trail camera image inventory of wildlife species and the impacts of significant storms over the course of the year.

Develop science communication tools such as infographics, website updates related to Natural Resource topics.

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
Academic background in biology, botany, ecology, environmental science, or geography

Familiarity with plant and wildlife identification (Southeastern U.S. flora/fauna preferred)

Experience with ArcGIS Pro and mobile data collection apps (Field Maps, Collector)

Comfort working in field conditions including heat, cold, wetland and upland terrain, and with insects and ticks using standard mitigation practices.

Strong written communication and attention to detail.

Be able to work alone and as part of a group.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Projects will include a combination of indoor and outdoor activities but will primarily involve long walks along the shoreline and through the woods. Projects will generally be scheduled for Tuesday- Saturday. The primary duty station will be in Yorktown with frequent trips to Jamestown and along the property associated with the Colonial Parkway.

Colonial National Historical Park is situated in the Virginia Tidewater Region between the James and York Rivers, approximately three hours south of Washington, DC, one hour east of Richmond, and 90 minutes west of Virginia Beach. The nearby cities of Williamsburg, Newport News, Norfolk, and Hampton offer a wide vary of recreational, shopping, and cultural/historical opportunities. The area also features numerous amenities, including colleges and universities, restaurants, theaters, museums, exceptional medical facilities, and vibrant neighborhood business districts, as well as a solid network of parks, community centers, and libraries.

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. COLO will provide free housing to the SIP, located in Williamsburg, VA, approx. 20-minute drive to their duty station. Housing is fully furnished and includes a washer/dryer and free WiFi. The SIP will have private bedroom but will share the living area and bathroom with other SIP participants. The SIP will need to provide their own transportation to and from their residence to their duty station; public transportation is not available.

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 Colonial National Historical Park 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!”