Site Location: Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
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: 01/05/2026
End Date: 07/06/2026
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 Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Science communication and education is often identified as a primary need for parks and programs in the National Park Service. This SIP position addresses this need and will help a new education coordinator with reestablishing and defining a robust education program. The products the SIP participant develops will have a direct positive impact on the public programs offered by staff and will directly influence public understanding of resources and issues, leading to increased stewardship and resource protection. Helping to build the citizen science program with providing volunteer opportunities will also help to create Cape Cod National Seashore advocates. Some of the topics that this position could impact most include saltmarsh restoration, shoreline change, harmful algal blooms, shark and seal research and endangered species management.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The participant will serve as part of an interdisciplinary team composed of staff from both the Natural Resource Management and Science (NRMS) Division as well as the Interpretation, Education, and Cultural Resources Management (IECRM) Division. The purpose of the position is to develop science communication and education products using a variety of media to convey information and serve as an educational tool for a range of audiences. Cape Cod National Seashore is host to the Atlantic Research Learning Center (ARLC), one of 17 Research Learning Centers (RLCs) in the National Park Service. The mission of the RLCs is to promote collaboration, research, stewardship, education, and science communication. The ARLC is managed by NRMS staff but leverages SIP participantal partnerships with other park divisions as well as external partnerships with academic or non-profit institutions to achieve its mission. The park also employs an education coordinator who works closely with local schools to support curriculum that incorporates aspects of science and resources from Cape Cod National Seashore. The park’s education coordinator typically engages with school programs from kindergarten to 12th grade. While the ARLC also engages with these groups the focus of the learning center is college and post graduate students and researchers. This SIP participant will play a key role in fulfilling the mission of the Atlantic Research Learning Center by serving as one of the primary communicators of science information at the park. It will also help bolster the Parks as Classrooms program, and our public education programming by distilling and packaging science and research products into media, lessons, print and digital materials, and programs to increase public, student, and visitor understanding. This position offers a unique opportunity to serve as a link between researchers/scientists and the public to communicate important topics and findings to an ever-growing audience of advocates.
KEYWORDS: Cape Cod, CACO, Science Communication, Resource Management
DELIVERABLES
The SIP participant will develop 508 compliant science-based communication and education products geared towards students, park visitors, and park neighbors. Examples of potential products include:
- updating and writing webpage content using the NPS Content Management System
- resource-specific fact sheets and articles
- science and cultural stories based on interviews with researchers and employees conducting projects in the park in an audio, video, photo, and/or writing form
- lessons based on park resources
- videos and/or photographs documenting park resources
- Developing social media posts and products that tie back to Cape Cod National Seashore projects, website content, and NPS communication themes
- Help to develop the science communication efforts/foundation and programs at Cape Cod National Seashore by generating sustainable content creation
- Assist in coordinating a citizen science event or project
- Creating/updating ArcGIS StoryMaps and data dashboards
- The SIP participant will also be encouraged to explore new ways to communicate information on park resources to both SIP participantal and external audiences. The position also is also flexible to the person selected for this position and their interests. Opportunities to build existing skills and gain new experiences are ever-present.
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
The SIP participant must be highly motivated and comfortable serving independently as well as part of a larger team. The SIP participant must also be willing to learn and try new things. The SIP participant must have strong writing and communication skills. Experience in natural sciences, natural resource management, or conservation gained either through coursework or work experience is critical. Experience developing science communication products is preferred. The SIP participant must be proficient in using Microsoft Word, and experience with digital publishing, photography, and video production is helpful, but not mandatory. Experience or skills with GIS is desired but not mandatory.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Cape Cod is a large peninsula extending 60 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Massachusetts. Located on the outer portion of the Cape, Cape Cod National Seashore's 44,600 acres encompass a rich mosaic of marine, estuarine, fresh water, and terrestrial ecosystems. Winter weather brings storms, winds and freezing temperatures with little snow accumulation in the long term. Beaches, ponds and hiking trails abound. Supermarkets are in Provincetown (8 miles from the Lab) and Orleans (20 miles). Local amenities include many restaurants and small specialty markets. Nearest Mall stores are in Hyannis. This position will primarily be based in Truro, MA with the natural resource staff but time will also be spend serving out of the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham and possibly the Headquarters building in Wellfleet.
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. CACO offers housing for SIP participants within close proximity to a number of project sites including the North Atlantic Coastal Lab, Park Headquarters and Salt Pond Visitor Center. Housing varies but is usually a shared furnished house. A private bedroom may be available but is not guaranteed. Residents bring their own linens. Kitchens are furnished with basic supplies. If possible, housing will be within a few miles of our primary service site. Houses shared with other SIP participants or seasonal staff; however given the timing of this position the SIP participant may be the only occupant of a house. Residents are responsible for cleaning the residence. Trash and basic utility costs are covered by the park but services such as SIP participantet/cable/phone are not provided and would be the responsibility of the resident.
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 Cape Cod National Seashore will host a Science Communication 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!”