Natural Resource Management Assistant AmeriCorps

Position Details

Position (s): 4514
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - Ameri Corps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site

Location:

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, Carlsbad, New Mexico
Number of positions available: 1

Duration: 26 Weeks
Flexible

Start Date:

Yes
Start Date: 10/26/2026
End Date: 04/26/2027
Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award
  : $3,697.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
• Weekly Living Allowance: $675.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
• Relocation Allowance: $450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by My Ameri Corps , directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through My Ameri Corps , directly)

Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the Final date to receive applications passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Paleontology, Caves, Photogrammetry, Rappelling, LiDAR

This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. This position addresses a resource management need at Carlsbad Caverns National Park by improving documentation of paleontological resources preserved within backcountry caves. These fossils are an integral component of the park’s cave resources and directly support two significance statements in the Foundation Document: protection of the Capitan Reef and understanding past environments and weather patterns through fossil resources and cave records.

The park’s paleontological inventory identifies a continued need for additional field observations in backcountry caves, noting that important fossil localities remain incompletely documented and recommending further inventory and monitoring to support management and protection of these sensitive resources. It also notes that the park does not currently have a dedicated monitoring program for fossil localities, limiting the park’s ability to assess condition, detect impacts, and prioritize protection efforts.

By collecting and organizing high quality documentation of cave paleontological sites, this position will strengthen baseline resource information needed for stewardship, compliance, monitoring, and future management decisions.

This position provides an opportunity to support an active cave paleontology research project while gaining experience in a broad range of cave and karst resource management activities within Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The participant will collaborate closely with park staff and a collaborating Ph.D. level researcher to document and analyze Pleistocene paleontological resources located in remote backcountry cave environments. Primary duties will include participation in field-based data collection efforts within cave systems, including photogrammetry, LiDAR scanning, and detailed site documentation of paleontological sites.

The participant will also be responsible for processing and organizing resulting datasets, including development of 3D models and associated digital records to support long-term resource management and research objectives. With guidance, the participant may also contribute to refinement of workflows or standard operating procedures related to data collection and processing. Field projects will involve active participation as a member of cave and backcountry field teams.

This may include travel in rugged, off-trail terrain and overnight backpacking trips, as well as operate in horizontal and vertical cave environments using alpine style single rope techniques. In addition to paleontology focused projects, the participant will assist with environmental monitoring efforts, including maintenance and data collection associated with air and weather monitoring stations. Office-based responsibilities will include data organization, quality control, and preparation of reports and documentation.

The participant will also support broader cave and karst program activities, which may include assisting with cave resource monitoring, restoration efforts, survey support, equipment preparation and decontamination procedures, document scanning and data entry, and coordination with volunteers and partner programs. Opportunities may also include assisting with training events or interdivisional projects as available. Project deliverables will include processed photogrammetry models, organized digital datasets, trip reports, a final written summary report, and a public presentation at the park.

• Project deliverables will include processed photogrammetry models and LiDAR datasets documenting…