Description

The Research Associate Program at GBI, in cooperation with National Park Service (NPS) at Zion National Park, is recruiting (1) Facilities Research Associate to participate in Sustainability Education and Waste Management. 

The project will include hands-on experience assisting with waste management and landfill reduction education at Zion National Park. NPS staff from the Interpretation and Education and Facilities Divisions will provide mentoring and training opportunities throughout the project. 

Primary Responsibilities:

• Assist NPS staff with Education and Outreach programming related to park resources, waste management, and landfill reduction, including:
  • Conduct interactive pop-up tables throughout the park for visitors of all ages
  • Rove established trails to interact with visitors
  • Assist with the overall operations of the Zion Youth Program 
• Research and understand waste management and diversion practices at Zion National Park and Washington County Solid Waste
• Support Facilities Operation through collection of Recycling, including inventorying and reporting as needed
• Work with park Visual Information Team to develop media products to be displayed through visual and digital outlets
• Work with Zion Interpretation and Education and Facilities to produce and inventory of current sustainability projects. 

Timeline:

• Anticipated start date: 4/20/2026; 52 week appointment
• Full time (40 hours/week) 
• Schedule: 5/4/9; Tuesday – Saturday, Flex every other Tuesday

Location:

Zion National Park is a unique geological, natural, and cultural treasure in southwestern Utah. Opportunities for sightseeing, hiking, and camping abound in the park. Humans have occupied this area for approximately 10,000 years and archaeological sites occur throughout the park. 

Zion National Park is located just outside the town of Springdale, where you will find the closest gas and food services. We are roughly 30 minutes from La Verkin and an hour from Cedar City and St. George, where you will find a larger selection of amenities including grocery stores, hardware stores, and recreational opportunities. Zion is home to many recreational opportunities, such as hiking, climbing, canyoneering, and is only a few hours from Bryce Canyon National Park, Cedar Breaks National Monument, and Grand Canyon North Rim.  

Zion National Park is a desert landscape, with temperature reaching over 100 degrees in the summer and visitation at nearly 5 million people.  

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation: $17.75 hourly;

Benefits: 

• Company-paid comprehensive medical, dental (with option to upgrade in coverage), and vision insurance;
• $25,000 Basic Life & AD&D insurance at no cost;
• Competitive PTO accrual and paid holidays;
• Eligible for 401(k) retirement savings with up to 4% GBI match;
• Access to Pro Deals;

Housing: 

• May be available to the selected participant at no additional costs.
  • Park housing may be available at the Zion Dorm. The Zion Dorm includes private bedrooms for us to 14 people, with a shared kitchen, living space, bathrooms, and laundry. Internet is not provided at the Dorm, and cell service is limited. 
• In the event park housing is not available, the selected participant will be expected to procure housing on their own. Nearby towns include Springdale, Rockville, Virgin, La Verkin, and Hurricane, UT. 
• In the event park housing is not available, a housing stipend will be provided.

Qualifications

Required:

• Must provide a valid driver’s license and possess a clean driving record
• Meet PLC age requirements and U.S. citizenship requirements
• Successful applicants must complete a Department of Interior (DOI) Background Investigation (BI) or submit paperwork to National Park Service human resources indicating an active and fully adjudicated BI has already been completed prior to beginning position. If you already have a fully adjudicated BI, please let us know in your application.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs
• Basic computer software skills, including Microsoft and Excel

Preferred: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Community Development, Resource Management, Waste Management, Sustainability, or a related field
• Candidate should be comfortable with public speaking 
• Experience working with youth ages 6-18
• Interest in sustainability practices

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position is part of the Zion Education Team, which is based out of the Zion Nature Center, a historic building geared at connecting youth and families with park resources. This building feature hands-on exhibits and activities, and is the hub for the Zion Junior Ranger program. This position includes standing indoors and outdoors for long periods of time, walking/hiking several miles over uneven terrain, and interacting with a high volume of visitors. 

As part of the Zion Education Team, this position will help staff the Zion Nature Center, which includes answering trip planning and resource questions for Junior Rangers and adults, rove (hike) busy trails to engage with visitors of all ages, offer Sustainability-based drop-in programs (short programs at busy trailheads), Junior Ranger programs at the Zion Lodge, and staff the Junior Ranger table at the Visitor Center. Throughout the season, opportunities may arise to participate in Outreach-based youth programming and more in-depth Nature Center programming.  

This position will also support Zion Facilities Management and Sustainability Office. This position includes lifting, bending, and loading containers up to 50 lbs into work vehicles. PPE is required for these positions and will be provided by the park. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, use hands, stand, walk, bend, and have specific vision abilities to include close and distance vision, and ability to adjust focus working with computer business equipment and other job/industry specific equipment. 

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: 

This project is federally funded through the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Participants serving under this authority may be eligible for the PLC non-competitive hiring status and certificate. The PLC Authority requires all applicants meet the age and US Citizen requirements. Additional information regarding the PLC can be found on the GBI website under the Research Associate Programs FAQ.

Notes: 

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as negotiated to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment background check.

Disclaimer: 

Although the organization has attempted to accurately and thoroughly describe this position, GBI reserves the right to change the same, including to change, add to or subtract from the duties outlined, within the sole discretion of the organization, at any time, with or without advance notice