Job Type: Full-time, on-site
Location: AmeriCorps - Scientists in Parks - Intermountain Region Office - Lakewood, Colorado
Pay: $775 weekly living allowance, $7,395 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, one-time $450 relocation allowance
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 10/04/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
Summary
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. In a wildland fire emergency, national park staff need to be able to rapidly tell responders the location, importance, and protection measures for the park's most critical treasures. This project will directly support the preparedness of parks for responding to emerging wildland fires and other hazardous events while safeguarding the historical, natural, and cultural resources that are central to the NPS mission. By developing Local Unit Resource Advisor Guides (LURGs) and accompanying READ Atlases, the project will produce actionable tools that help ensure resource protection measures are clearly communicated and effectively implemented. These products will provide critical guidance to incident responders to help them avoid or reduce damage to sensitive park resources. The READ Atlas will organize essential geospatial data into a format designed for rapid deployment, allowing responders to quickly identify and protect high-value areas. This will strengthen park readiness and resilience, while promoting consistent, data-informed resource protection across the Intermountain Region.
Description of Duties
Looking to launch your career in natural resource management or Wildland Fire Planning? Join the National Park Service (NPS) Intermountain Region as a Natural Resource Management Assistant and play a key role in helping parks prepare for wildfires and other unplanned events. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience, collaborate with professionals in the field, and contribute to the protection of some of the country’s most iconic landscapes and cultural resources.
Support national parks in developing two critical tools for wildland fire preparedness:
Local Unit Resource Advisor Guides (LURGs): These are planning documents that identify natural and cultural resources at risk, and outline protective strategies for fire events, floods, and other emergencies.
Resource Advisor Atlases (READ Atlases): These are geospatial products used in the field to quickly locate and protect sensitive resources during incidents.
Collaborate with park staff and specialists to:
Gather and validate natural and cultural resource data
Develop protection strategies for critical resources using established templates and guidelines
Assist with the writing, editing, and formatting of LURGs
Create maps and geospatial products following NPS standards
Help coordinate trainings (both virtual and in-person) for park staff and stakeholders
Track project progress, manage timelines, and support collaboration across teams
Why this role is great for you:
Real Impact: Your projects will directly support the protection of national park resources and the people who manage them
Skill Development: You’ll gain practical experience in GIS, project coordination, emergency planning, and interagency collaboration
Mentorship & Support: Participate alongside experienced professionals who are invested in your growth
Career Building: Build a portfolio of meaningful projects and develop skills that are highly valued in environmental and government sectors
Preferred Qualifications
Recent graduate or early-career professional in geography, environmental science, fire ecology, natural/cultural resource management, or a related field
Familiarity with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online) or a willingness to learn
Strong communication and organizational skills
Interest in public lands, emergency response, or conservation
Deliverables
The primary products from this project will be national park Local Unit READ Guides (LURGs) and/or READ atlases produced in collaboration with park staff. Workflow process descriptions and tools for LURG/READ atlas development will be documented. Presentation products to promote park LURG development will be developed. LURG development training sessions/presentations will occur both virtually and on-site at national park units.
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 host site.
The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
Preferred Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience in written and oral communication, and the ability to be in a collaborative team environment both in-person and through on-line meetings. Candidates should have a degree in the biological, physical, social or cultural sciences and/or career experience in resource management and/or Geographic information Systems (GIS). Experience in wildland fire planning, operations, or preparedness is desired but not required.
