KEYWORDS: multimedia, social media, storytelling, data visualization, photography

PURPOSE
This Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The San Francisco Bay Area Network’s monitoring programs and parks’ scientific endeavors are vital for understanding how to meet the National Park Service’s mission to conserve parks’ natural and cultural resources for future generations. The data they yield help park managers know when things are amiss and what to do about it. But if no one else knows what the data are saying, it can be tough for park resource managers to get their communities on board to take meaningful action. That’s where this service opportunity comes in. It will broaden understanding of, and support for, long-term data collection and conservation action in Bay Area national parks by telling compelling stories about park science and monitoring results to staff parkwide, and to the tens of thousands of people who follow these parks on social media and/or visit their websites.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The San Francisco Bay Area Inventory and Monitoring Network (SFAN) manages 13 long-term monitoring programs in collaboration with five national parks, including Golden Gate National Recreation Area and Point Reyes National Seashore. These ‘vital signs’ monitoring programs give us valuable information about the health of park ecosystems and how that health is changing over time. Golden Gate and Point Reyes manage many additional natural resources monitoring and conservation programs. The participant will be an integral part of a collaborative SFAN, Golden Gate, and Point Reyes Science Communication Team, which helps to spread the word about what scientists are learning in Bay Area national parks. The participant’s primary duties will involve developing engaging website and social media content highlighting current park-based science and designing fun, informative, digital products to report on the latest learnings from SFAN vital signs monitoring programs. The participant will be expected to perform background research; interview staff scientists; write articles for public audiences; design data visualizations; draft social media posts; and join various field crews to gather ideas, inspiration, and supporting media (photos/videos/audio/etc.). Network and/or partner-owned photo, video, and audio equipment will be available for participant use. The participant will also coordinate with park interpretive rangers and refer to National Park Service social media content calendars when developing park website and social media content. They’ll have access to the Microsoft Office suite, and to Adobe products like Photoshop, Animate, and Premiere for editing or developing media. In addition, the participant will contribute articles to the SFAN e-newsletter & blog, and use Adobe products and NPGallery, the National Park Service’s digital asset management system, to edit and catalog SFAN media for future use.

DELIVERABLES
Deliverables will include: 1) new or updated content for priority nature and science webpages on the Golden Gate and Point Reyes websites; 2) multimedia seasonal summaries for 2-3 San Francisco Bay Area Network vital signs, potentially combining NPS.gov web articles with ArcGIS StoryMaps or similar; 3) two informative and engaging social media content series (a combination of posts and reels) leveraging personal field experiences, scientist interviews, audiovisual media, and/or existing web content to explore the who/what/where/how/why of park science and of SFAN monitoring projects for park Facebook and Instagram accounts; 4) opportunistic social media posts to share timely updates; 5) e-newsletter/blog articles on timely science or natural resources topics; and 6) a collection of media gathered from the field, edited and annotated for future use.

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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree is recommended but not required, as is some experience working outdoors. Some combination of natural sciences and communication/science communication, journalism, graphic design, and/or fine art coursework or experience is preferred. The participant should also have strong writing and communication skills, a positive attitude, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. A science communication portfolio/projects samples may be requested.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING
Physical/Natural Environment: The participant will either be based at the Marin Headlands of Golden Gate National Recreation Area or at Point Reyes National Seashore. The Marin Headlands is located just north of the Golden Gate Bridge outside of San Francisco. The office is a 5-minute walk to Rodeo Beach, with weather ranging from cool and foggy to mild and sunny. The office at Point Reyes National Seashore is located at the entrance of the park in Point Reyes Station, approximately an hour north of San Francisco. Summers are a bit warmer than immediately along the coast, but still relatively mild and sunny. Service Environment: Projects will mostly be performed on a government laptop in a shared office space. The position will also have a field component. When in the field, the participant may be subject to uneven terrain, ticks, poison oak, strong winds, intense heat, and other inclement weather. Field sites are generally less than one mile from a main trail or road, but some field days could involve extended off-trail hikes, hiking for up to 8 miles, or carrying up to 20 lb of gear. Some field days may be in more rugged, off-trail locations, while others may occur along busy roads, trails, or beaches. This position requires periodic vehicle commuting to field sites and may include a camping trip to Pinnacles National Park.

VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.

The type of park housing will depend on availability at the time of this service opportunity. The housing will most likely be a shared co-ed bunkhouse style unit (bedrooms are not co-ed). Housing units are not necessarily located within walking distance of the reporting offices. Transportation to and from the housing unit to the duty station may need to be provided by the participant. Kitchens are supplied with dishes/pans. Bed and bathroom linens, personal care items, and food are not provided. Housing typically has wifi, but it may be limited depending on unit. There is also limited or no cell service at Golden Gate housing units. The scenic beauty of both Point Reyes and Golden Gate housing locations is typically a memorable experience.

OUR COMMITMENT
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 based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off 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

• Member will receive pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term
• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff

EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps 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.