Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: No

Start Date: 05/05/2025

End Date: 09/22/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hour

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.00 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $565.00 per week.
• Relocation Allowance of $1,050.00 distributed as a one-time lump sum.
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 75 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, 19 January, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 19 January, 2025.

PURPOSE

This Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will contribute to fulfilling science outreach objectives for Denali National Park and Preserve. Denali serves 600,000 in-person visitors and countless virtual visitors each year. The member will help the Denali education, interpretation, media, and research teams share park science in engaging and accessible ways.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Denali National Park and Preserve seeks a Science Communication SIP member to create inspiring, accessible, and interactive materials that engage visitors with current park science and stewardship messages. The candidate will also help instruct indoor and outdoor education programs for youth and assist with visitor center services. The ideal candidate is skilled at and passionate about engaging the public – particularly youth – with science and land stewardship.

DELIVERABLES

The member will complete one or more science communication media projects and assist with instructing youth programs. The media projects for the summer 2025 position will be selected based on the aptitudes and interests of the selected candidate. Projects may include creating and updating exhibits, formatting science reports, developing Junior Ranger activities and materials, writing exciting content to be featured on Denali's website, documenting research and education events using photography and videography, sharing exciting science stories with the world through social media, and designing interactive elements for the MSLC exhibit area that will inspire visitors.

Youth programs that the member will co-instruct include at least three multi-day outdoor experiential education camps or curriculum-based programs. The member may also assist with frontline visitor services approximately one day per week.

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

1. Background in science communication, interpretation, education, journalism, or any related field.
2. Strong digital media skills. Experience working in a content management system (CMS) and Adobe Creative Suites (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop) is a plus.
3. Outdoor education and customer service experience.
4. Desire to make science relevant to park visitors of all ages and demographics, with emphasis on youth aged 5-20.

POSITION SETTING

Denali National Park and Preserve protects over six million acres of remote subarctic wilderness in interior Alaska. The park is filled with extensive glaciers and braided rivers, miles of tundra plateaus, and countless glacial lakes and ponds, all capped by the magnificent 20,310’ Denali peak at the center of the Alaska Range. The park is a spectacular outdoor playground for anyone fond of hiking and exploring. While the setting is rural, there are hundreds of year-round and seasonal employees living locally with whom to socialize and recreate.

The position is based out of the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) adjacent to the Denali Visitor Center. The MSLC is a year-round facility with classrooms and administrative offices. During the summer, the building serves as an operations base for registration-based educational programs. During the winter, it is open to the public as the Winter Visitor Center. The member's workspace will be a shared office. The member’s supervisor is located in the same building. The member will be a member of the MSLC education team, which includes year-round park and partner education staff and seasonal science education staff.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is not required for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is located adjacent to the Murie Science and Learning Center (MSLC) and consists of small, condominium-style units. The participant will have a private room with a bunk bed, dorm size refrigerator, microwave, and either table or desk. Showers/restrooms are communal. An employee dining hall is located near the housing area and provides meals for purchase, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some food and community services are available in Nenana Canyon outside the park entrance and in Healy (10 miles north of the park). Larger city services are located in Fairbanks (120 miles north of the park).

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.

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.
• Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff or the Ecological Society of America.
• Opportunity to join one (or more) SIP Affinity Groups. Groups include: DEIJ Change Makers, Women+ in Science, BIPOC, or Pride in STEM.
• Opportunity to present the outcomes from the SIP position at national scientific meetings held by the Ecological Society of America and Geological Society of America.

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 Denali National Park and Preserve will host a Science Communication Assistant.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service.