Position Title:  Science Communication (Conference Support) Assistant- AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 1000 US Highway 36, Estes Park, CO, 80517

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by 9/1/2025

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 12/8/2025
• End Date: 3/20/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and conserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support natural areas. Stewards in partnership with Rocky Mountain National Park will host a Science Communication (Conference Support) Assistant.

This Science Communication (Conference Support) Assistant is an AmeriCorps position in the Continental Divide Research Learning Center (CDRLC) at Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP). The CDRLC promotes resource stewardship through research and science literacy. This is accomplished by facilitating the use of parks for scientific inquiry, supporting adaptive management and science-informed decision making, communicating the relevance of and providing access to knowledge gained through scientific research, increasing the effectiveness and communication of research, and integrating current scientific research into educational and outreach programs.

The Science Communication (Conference Support) Assistant will collaboratively assist with the planning and execution of the 2026 Rocky Mountain National Park Biennial Research Conference. The Science Communication Assistant will be responsible for working with vendors, coordinating volunteers, developing promotional and other conference materials (i.e. proceedings), ensuring all materials are readily available to attendees, and providing day-of assistance during the event. This position provides experiences in event planning/coordination, organizing and overseeing volunteers, and supports community-engagement with local science that informs park management.

Description of Duties:

• Assist with event planning and coordination leading up to and during the 2026 RMNP Biennial Research Conference.
• Create flyers, posters, graphics, and visuals for marketing/advertising and ensuring documents are 508-compliant.
• Prepare abstracts/proceedings document for public access during research conference. Ensure documents are 508 compliant.
• Assist with pre-conference screening of oral presentations/posters to ensure they meet guidance and standards to support access from all attendees.
• Create and distribute conference feedback survey to all registered attendees. Analyze conference feedback and present results.
• Assist with post-conference deliverables:
• 508 remediation of recorded presentations
• Written summaries of poster presentations

Qualifications:

• Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, and self-motivated
• Ability to clearly and effectively communicate written and orally.
• Ability to safely lift, move, transport conference equipment and materials up to 50lbs
• Experience with Microsoft Suite, including Word, Publisher, PowerPoint
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• 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.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of 508 Standards
• Ability to perform 508-remediation of PDFs and video recordings.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, including InDesign, Premiere Pro, and Photo Shop
• Experience coordinating large events (50+ individuals) and/or volunteers

Additional Position and Community Information

• Housing will be provided at Rocky Mountain National Park. The Assistant will have a shared room with a shared bathroom within a house, cabin, or dormitory. The Assistant needs to provide their own bedding/linens. Shared kitchen space is stocked with basic cookware (pots, pans, etc.) and basic tableware (plates, cups, cutlery). All park housing is located adjacent to the town of Estes Park. Specific details will be available after a candidate is selected.
• Rocky Mountain National Park embraces 415 square miles of pristine, uninhabited mountains in north-central Colorado and, as such, is one of the most spectacular, yet easy to reach high mountain areas. The park encompasses glacier-sculptured valleys, rugged gorges, alpine lakes, and vast areas of alpine tundra. Summer weather is generally sunny with frequent afternoon lightening showers. Recreational activities in the park include scenic drives, 355 miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, climbing, fishing, and wildlife watching.
• The gateway community of Estes Park is located at 7,500 feet and located ~5 miles from park headquarters. The town has several grocery stores, a library, restaurants, a hospital, and several clinics, doctor and dentist offices. Recreational and educational opportunities in town include educational classes through the library and adult education learning program, a running club, walking trails and bike paths, and trivia, events, seasonal festivals, and activities that many park staff attend as groups. The Denver metropolitan area is a 2-hour drive and provides a spectrum of amenities and an international airport.
• Work will be primarily office-based. Shared office space will be provided and will include a varied desk platform allowing for sitting and standing, computer, phone line, and close access to a shared printer.
• A personal vehicle is required for this position. The town of Estes Park is largely car-dependent for basic amenities like groceries, entertainment, social, and recreational opportunities, and to explore the park on personal time. A government vehicle will be provided for all work-related tasks.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
• Living Allowance of $630/week
• Housing Provided
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Program Contact information: srush@conservationlegacy.org

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 reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

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. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• 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 an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

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.