Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Fort Matanzas National Monument, St. Augustine, Florida

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 03/22/2026

End Date: 09/20/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal 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 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 maintains a Marine Turtle Permit and is thus required to monitor for and manage all sea turtle activity on the park's beaches throughout the nesting season. This is a 7-day/week operation for four months, and the SIP participant is an integral part of the park's efforts to fulfill this duty. Especially by providing weekend coverage during the busy summer field season, the SIP participant supplements a park staff that is stretched thin and would be hard-pressed to complete weekend nesting patrols. Also, the SIP participant is essential to the park in its efforts to fulfill its GMP-mandated goal to provide natural history interpretation to the visiting public.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The SIP participant will serve primarily with the park's Natural Resource Manager, assisting with a variety of resource management Field projects, including: sea turtle nesting patrols, nest management and evaluation, and processing of stranded turtles; shorebird nest and chick monitoring; invasive plant data collection; water quality monitoring; and more. The SIP participant will also develop and deliver science-based interpretive programs to the visiting public on a scheduled basis, as well as assist with a series of nature camps for kids. Interpretive programs may consist of walks and/or talks on a wide variety of park-related, resource-based themes. Finally, the SIP participant will assist with the park's social media outreach efforts by preparing educational information for posting.

KEYWORDS: Sea Turtles, Shorebirds, Invasive Plants, Interpretation, Social Media

DELIVERABLES

The SIP participant will help the park fulfill its obligation to patrol the beach each morning during the sea turtle nesting season, and to identify, document, protect, and manage all the crawls, nests, and strandings that occur during this four-month long period. This is in addition to assisting with a variety of other resource management field projects (shorebird monitoring, invasive plant data collection, etc.). The SIP participant will also help the park to increase its emphasis on natural resource interpretation. The outcome will be a more educated and satisfied visiting public. The deliverables will be a set number of interpretive programs given on a regular basis, that will highlight the park's natural resources, in addition to educational postings to the park's social media throughout the position.

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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Degree or coursework in biological/environmental science preferred. Comfort with public speaking is a must. Field projects are physically arduous, so the SIP participant should possess a high level of physical fitness and be able to function in very hot/humid outdoor conditions on a regular basis.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Fort Matanzas is a 300-acre park located on portions of two barrier islands on Florida's northeast coast. The park encompasses a range of habitats, from ocean beach to sand dunes, coastal scrub to maritime hammock, and estuary to salt marsh. The summers are very hot and humid with long, sunny days often punctuated by monsoonal afternoon showers accompanied by frequent lightning. The nearest grocery store is about 8 miles away, though there are gas stations and restaurants closer. Most of the job requires being outside in the elements, though the SIP participant will have access to shared office space for indoor projects as well.

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. Efficiency Apartment- Private, furnished, with kitchen and bathroom. Contains the following: a twin bed, microwave & stove, refrigerator, coffee maker, TV, iron & board, sheets/pillows, towels, dishes/cookware/silverware, and access to a washer/dryer.

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 Fort Matanzas National Monument 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!”