Education Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Education Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 01/05/2026

End Date: 05/25/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14 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 Education Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The education assistant will participate in the education of students and park visitors on issues related to mountain snowpack and environmental change. They will also assist the park's physical scientist in the collection of data related to snow water/snow depth, weather monitoring, air quality monitoring, and possibly intertidal monitoring. Finally, the education assistant will serve with the North Coast and Cascades Inventory and Monitoring Network to develop a science communication project about one of the inventory and monitoring protocols.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The education assistant will serve with the park's outreach and education specialist and other education staff to develop and deliver a vareity of education programming, curriculum development, and teacher professional development opportunities. Education programs support Next Generation Science Standards and are offered virtually, in classroom settings, and outdoors in the national park. A major focus of the assistant's time will be the park's Snow Science education program. Snow Science brings 7th grade students from the local area to Hurricane Ridge in the winter to learn about the importance of the winter snowpack to park ecosystems and to local water supplies and uses. It also explores environmental change the threats posed by diminished snowpack. Snow Science takes place outside in winter at over 5,000 ft. Weather conditions can be extreme, and the education assistant will be responsible for the safety and well-being of the students entrusted to their care. It will require the ability to ski and snowshoe over a variety of terrain often through deep snow.

The education assistant will also serve with the park's physical scientist on a variety of weather, environmental conditions, and air quality monitoring projects. Chief among these would be monthly trips to remote snow courses in the Olympic Mountains to measure winter snowpack. These trips are physically demanding and require the ability to cover several miles on skis and snowshoes in winter conditions. The data collected during the monthly snow surveys is reported to the USDA National Resources Conservation Service and is used by federal, state, and local water managers. Other possible duties with the park's physical scientist include maintenance of NPS weather stations, upkeep and data collection from air quality monitoring equipment, and coastal (inter-tidal) ocean acidification sites.

Finally, the education assistant will serve on a science communication project for the North Coast and Cascades Inventory and Monitoring Program. The project will be identified once the applicant is selected based on how the interests, skills, and abilities of the applicant intersect with the needs of the inventory and monitoring program. Possible projects could include written resource briefs, GIS story maps, social media posts, and/or short video productions.

KEYWORDS: snow science, science communication, Next Gen Science education, social media communications, air quality

DELIVERABLES

Upon completion of the position the education assistant will develop and present education programs for K-12 students. Specifically, it is anticipated that the education assistant will be a key player in delivering a series of Snow Science Field Trips to the Hurricane Ridge area of the park for 250-300 7th grade students. They will also have the opportunity to develop education curriculum and activity materials focused on environmental change to support the Snow Science Program.

The education assistant will also have the opportunity to participate monthly in snow survey projects with the park's physical scientist which involves skiing and snowshoeing to remote snow courses in the mountains and assisting with the collection of snow water equivalent data for the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service. The SIP participant will also assist weekly with the upkeep, maintenance and data collection of the park's air quality monitoring station. Travel to the station involves driving a pickup truck on gravel dirt roads to access the park's air quality monitoring station.

The SIP participant will also contribute to a science communication project for the North Coast and Cascades Inventory and Monitoring Network that will be determined based on the SIP participant's interests, skills and abilities and the needs of the I&M program.

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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Required:

Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, a degree program in environmental science, education, outdoor recreation, biology, geology, natural resource management, or related fields.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a demonstrated interest in serving with youth.

Physically able to ski moderate distances in mountainous winter terrain and carry equipment (up to 30 lbs). The park can provide some gear (snowshoes, outerwear) and will provide training, but previous experience with winter backcountry travel will be useful.

Willingness to serve in snow, cold, and potentially hazardous backcountry conditions.

Ability to serve independently and collaboratively in both field and educational settings.

Preferred:

Experience with environmental education, youth engagement, or science communication.

Previous experience skiing or traveling in snowy backcountry terrain.

Wilderness First Aid or Wilderness First Responder certification.

Avalanche safety training (e.g., AIARE Level 1).

Familiarity with NRCS snow survey protocols or similar data collection methods.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Olympic National Park, located on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, is nearly one million acres. Over 95% of the park is designated wilderness. Elevation ranges from sea level along the Pacific Coast to 7980 ft. at the summit of Mount Olympus. The park is home to the glacier-capped mountains of the Olympic Range, old growth rainforests, and the Pacific coastline. The park experiences relatively dry summers and wet winters. Snow is common in the mountains during the winter. At lower elevations, winter weather can be rainy and cold and daylight hours are short. Our summers are glorious with long days and pleasant temperatures.

The position is located in Port Angeles, WA. Port Angeles is the seat of Clallam County and has a population of approximately 20,000. The county is considered rural. Medical and dental facilities, and grocery stores are available in town approximately 10 minutes form the park housing area. A full range of outdoor recreational opportunities are available. Victoria, British Columbia is a 90-minute ferry ride away. Seattle, WA is about a 2 hour and 30-minute drive from Port Angeles.

The SIP participant will serve in a combination of office, classroom, and field settings throughout the duration of the position. Office projects will involve using a computer and standard office equipment in a professional environment with consistent lighting, ventilation, and temperature controls.

The position includes leading curriculum-based educational programs in indoor classroom environments and on outdoor field trips in a variety of weather conditions, including rain, wind, snow, and variable temperatures. Outdoor field projects take place in a national park and may involve walking or hiking on uneven, wet, snowy, or rugged terrain.

A portion of the position involves conducting snow surveys. This service is performed in mountainous environments during winter conditions and requires skiing in backcountry terrain. SIP participants may be exposed to cold temperatures, wind, heavy snowfall, and avalanche-prone areas. Proper training, safety protocols, and personal protective equipment must be used at all times. SIP participants must be physically capable of performing strenuous activity in high elevation environments and adverse weather.

Some projects may occur on weekends or outside of regular business hours to accommodate programming needs. Travel between park locations may be required.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

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

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. SIP SIP participants stay in apartments located near the park's Headquarters area in Port Angeles, WA. Housing is a short drive from the Olympic National Park Visitor Center. Apartments are furnished and include kitchen and bathroom, but linens and dishware are not provided. Note there are local thrift stores to purchase kitchen supplies. Most apartments are shared, one-bedroom apartments. SIP participants can check into housing up to 48-hours prior to their start date. There is no mail delivery at park housing, contact Port Angeles Post Office to set up a box: 360-417-7528. There is no SIP internet or wi-fi provided at the housing area. The local branch of the North Olympic Library is nearby and provides computers with SIP internet access and complimentary wi-fi. There is adequate cell service in the headquarters housing 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 Olympic National Park will host a Education 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!”