Science Communications Individual Placement​ – National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring

Job Overview

Title: ​Science Communications Individual Placement​ 

Location: Washington, D.C. (Full-time position with some remote work possible) 

Dates: September 30th, 2024 – September 12th, 2025 (50 weeks) 

Positions Available: 1 Internship 

Pay: $700/week, paid bi-weekly ($600/stipend + $100/additional member benefit) with health benefits 

Status: This is a full-time, temporary, 1700 hour AmeriCorps national service position. 

Contact: Questions? Email [email protected] 

Application will stay open until the position is filled. Please submit a resume and cover letter with your application. 

Appalachian Conservation Corps 

Our Individual Placement program works to connect young people to conservation service work across Appalachia and neighboring communities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, DC, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. ACC is a program of Conservation Legacy, a nationwide network of conservation organizations.  

Individual Placements gain hands-on experience at their placement site, and ACC supports them through their term, as well as provides a variety of benefits to help them succeed in achieving their career goals. ACC welcomes national applicants, but also emphasizes the engagement of local individuals who represent the communities in which they serve.  

Position Details   

The Science Communications Individual Placement is based in Washington, D.C. with the National Park Service’s Inventory and Monitoring program (https://www.nps.gov/im/ncrn/index.htm). This approximately 12 month AmeriCorps position will work to provide Natural Resource Management-related support to the parks and partners in the National Capital Region through the development of reports, fact sheets, web content, and other communications materials. The Individual Placement (IP) will primarily work on office-based assignments with the capacity for some remote and field work under the mentorship and support of NPS Staff.  

The materials created by the IP will provide park resource managers with guidance and information that support caretaking of National Park natural resources and may also provide park interpreters with ways to connect to park visitors and the public. The IP may also catalog and otherwise improve access to natural resource reports and related products that were produced by and for the National Parks of the National Capital Region. 

Responsibilities include but aren’t limited to: 

• Reading technical reports and sorting out the most important messages. 
• Organizing and prioritizing large amounts of information. 
• Proposing and creating effective and accessible graphic depictions of data. 
• Writing compelling prose to deliver important messages. 

The purpose of this internship is to provide a concentrated, practical experience in natural resource management that affords the opportunity to apply classroom theory through a “hands-on” experience with the National Park Service. 

Local candidates will have the opportunity to visit the parks and to assist with field operations for vegetation and water data collection. 

Housing is not provided. 

Benefits:  

• $700/week paid bi-weekly ($600/stipend + $100/housing allowance) 
• Option to enroll in free health, vision, and dental benefits 
• Segal Education award of $6,895 to be used towards future education or student loans at completion of term 
• Possible student loan forbearance 
• $500 for professional development or travel 
• Non-competitive hiring eligibility through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority when applying for federal jobs 
• Discounted outdoor gear through Outdoor Prolink 
• Member Assistance Program– 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or work-life balance specialist 
• Additional subject-specific certifications and trainings may be offered 
• Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, alumni listserv, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths 

General Qualifications: 

To qualify for this AmeriCorps position, you must be between the ages of 21 and 30, and a US citizen that has received a high school diploma or GED. All offers of employment are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and federal criminal background check. Must be eligible to receive an AmeriCorps Education Award. 

• Possess a valid driver’s license. 
• Comfortable working in an office environment and independently (remotely). 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Skilled in written communication on scientific and nature topics 
• Familiarity with natural resource management, science topics, and policy 
• Skilled with Adobe suite products especially Adobe Acrobat DC 
• Familiarity with document and multimedia accessibility following Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act is preferred (https://www.section508.gov/create/pdfs) 

How to Apply:

In addition to your resume, please submit a writing sample (described below), and a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.  

For your writing sample, please answer each question in 200 words or fewer: 

1. What do you do to make your communication effective? 

1. What is the role of science in protecting and managing natural resources?  

Applications are only accepted through our website, https://appalachiancc.org/open-positions.