Astronomy Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Astronomy Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms, California

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 03/02/2026

End Date: 05/25/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35 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 Astronomy Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. It is now estimated that one third, or 80% of Americans live in a place where they cannot see the Milky Way. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the last refuges in Southern California where the spectacular Milky Way can be observed. As communities grow, so too does the amount of light radiance being emitted into the sky. Communities that surround Joshua Tree National Park are growing, and the light domes being emitted by these communities are measurable and growing more intense. This trend line makes our efforts to reduce light pollution and preserve dark night skies within the park more important than ever and requires that our messaging reach neighboring communities. Preserving the naturally dark night sky is not only beneficial to stargazers and astronomers, it is critical to nocturnal wildlife species that depend upon a naturally dark nocturnal landscape for survival. Educating the public to raise awareness about how light pollution can be reduced is vital to helping the national parks protect the night sky as a resource. This night sky assistant position will substantially help Joshua Tree National Park in its efforts to address important light pollution issues and achieve its interpretive and education goals for 2026.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The participant will serve under the supervision of an experienced astronomy ranger to develop and deliver formal interpretive programs to the public relative to astronomy, night sky, and light pollution, and will gain significant hands-on experience using the latest in telescope technology including astrophotography and EAA techniques. Additional opportunity exists to serve with Physical Sciences staff to perform field measurements of light pollution, to contribute/assist in the preparation of an annual report to DarkSky SIP participantational and to assist in the maintenance and operation of park telescopes and astronomy equipment. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in the country to observe the Milky Way. In 2017, Joshua Tree National Park was designated as an SIP participantational Dark Sky Park (IDSP). Part of this designation is related to the quality of night sky at Joshua Tree National Park, but another important component is how well the park educates the public about light pollution and advocates for preservation of a naturally dark night sky. The participant will have an exciting opportunity to perform interpretive programs, operate telescopes, perform outreach in the community, educate the public about how light pollution can be reduced, and to serve with park physical science technicians in the field performing scientific measurements of light pollution.

KEYWORDS: Astronomy, Interpretation, Telescope Operation, Night Skies, Natural Resources.

DELIVERABLES

Participant will develop and deliver three products. One astronomy program involving telescopes, one light pollution PowerPoint presentation, and will evaluate/update an existing draft SOP relative to operating the park's astronomy equipment.

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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should be advanced undergraduate or graduate students whose educational background and career objectives include astronomy, science, physics, and natural resource conservation. Preference will be given to students who demonstrate knowledge of astronomy and operation of telescopes. Previous experience in astronomy, operation of telescopes, PowerPoint presentations, and public speaking or interpretation is desired.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Joshua Tree National Park is a rugged wilderness park of almost 800,000 acres and encompasses two distinct desert ecosystems – the Colorado Desert to the south, and the Mojave Desert to the north. Temperature extremes exist with cold winters and hot summers. The Astronomy Assistant position requires a mix of office projects at park headquarters, interpretive and astronomy activities in the park interior, visits to community locations, and some flexibility to serve from the housing location when/if necessary. As a night sky position, the service will require some late nights in the park interior, cool temperatures, and the lifting of astronomy cases weighing up to 50 pounds. The dorm housing is located next to the picturesque Black Rock campground. Amenities can be found in downtown Yucca Valley which is a 10-minute drive from the dorm housing. A personal vehicle is required to travel between the dorm and various duty locations including park headquarters.

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. Housing will be provided and may include dorm room-style living. This includes a private bedroom or possibly shared room with bunk beds, a shared TV room, large kitchen, bathroom, and laundry facilities onsite. Pots, pans, and basic kitchen appliances are included. Participant should bring a twin sheet set. Family members and/or pets are not allowed in dorm housing. Likely housing location would be Black Rock dorms, which are located adjacent to the beautiful Black Rock campground, within a woodland of Joshua trees, and with hiking trails near the dorm.

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 Joshua Tree National Park will host a Astronomy 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!”