Conservation Legacy is hiring: Science Communication Assistant – AmeriCorps in O

POSITION DETAILSPosition Title: Science Communication Assistant – AmeriCorpsConservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual PlacementsSite Location: Oregon Caves National Monument, Cave Junction, OregonCan this position be fully remote: NoNumber of positions available: 1TERMS OF SERVICEDuration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)Flexible Start Date: NoStart Date: 03/01/2026End Date: 08/30/2026AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours – this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.BENEFITSSegal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 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 TIMELINEThe 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.PURPOSEThis Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will assist a small park staff of employees to meet park interpretation and natural resource management needs related to cave tours, science education, biology, hydrology, natural resource monitoring, geology and geography. The project leaders will directly train and mentor the participant, while completing tasks that require an assistant for data and safety protocols. Project leaders will help the SIP develop their career potential. The position will assist the park in completing cave tours, its yearly integrated natural resource monitoring field work, processing and reporting. Oregon Caves will provide SIP participants with a meaningful, engaging science communication and resource management experience in various scientific disciplines.DESCRIPTION OF DUTIESProvide science-based interpretive cave tours for the public, and assist the Resource Management Division on natural resource survey projects, and park web page development about ecology, ongoing monitoring of bats, and the status of White-nose Syndrome among bat populations. This position will serve alongside Youth Conservation Corps, support ORCA’s operational needs to support visitor access and public enjoyment of the site’s natural resources.KEYWORDS: Cave, bat, tour, publicDELIVERABLESDeliverables include providing science-based interpretive cave tours, and assisting with the completion of parkwide inventory and monitoring. Deliverables also include website development, assigned data processing of hydrological, biological, geological, and GIS data and collaboration on their respective reports and maps. The SIP will be assigned the development of one or more science education programs for the public, will complete an independent project selected by the SIP, and will update Standard Operating Procedures, Job Hazard Analysis, and other safety materials.QUALIFICATIONSUnited 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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSThis position is ideally suited for a recent college graduate in the sciences with coursework in science communication, education and GIS. Other levels of education will be considered. Qualifications include the ability to work with a team, work with the public, lead projects independently, collaborate to solve problems, collect data following protocols, to analyze and translate scientific information, work in a rugged field setting and office setting, and use Microsoft software products. Candidates with experience with public speaking, wildlife, GIS / GPS mapping projects, R-analysis, and Sonobat software analysis are preferred.ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATIONPOSITION SETTINGThis position will be a combination of sedentary office projects using computers and field projects in rugged conditions. Oregon Caves is a mountain forest setting located at 4000′ elevation, with a 3-mile-long cave toured by the public. The park housing, offices and visitor center are clustered together just outside the cave entrance creating a central, social atmosphere. The town of Cave Junction is 20 miles away with two grocery stores, dollar store, health clinic and numerous restaurants and activities. Grants Pass and Medford are large cities located one to 1-1/2 hours away with all amenities and the closest hospital. Redwood National and State Parks and beautiful beaches are within a 2-hour drive from the park. Weather will likely be mild with a mix of sun and rain. Heavy rain and snow are also possible depending on the time of year.VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTSApplicant must have a valid driver’s license to drive a government vehicle.A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.HOUSINGPark housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Park housing will be in a private or shared room, in a shared dorm or house. Park housing supplies full kitchen appliances, furnished living room, dishes, bathroom/shower, laundry, wifi (may be limited), food storage, closet, chest of drawers, and twin bed/mattress. SIP participant will need to bring clothing, personal items, outdoor gear, bedding, and food.HOW TO APPLYApply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: do not include links. 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. Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: do not include links.ADDITIONAL DETAILSPHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSConservation 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 REQUIREMENTSThis 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 TRAININGOrientation 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 REPORTINGAs 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 Oregon Caves National Monument 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!”
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