Natural Resource Management Assistant AmeriCorps

• James
  
  A. Garfield National Historic Site, OH

POSITION DETAILS
Position (s): 4493
Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - Ameri Corps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: James

A. Garfield National Historic Site, Mentor, Ohio
Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/05/2026
End Date: 12/28/2026
Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

BENEFITS

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award: $ 1,956.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
• Weekly Living Allowance: $ 775.00 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)

APPLICATION TIMELINE
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.

KEYWORDS: forestry, orchard restoration, historical research, landscape architecture development

PURPOSE
This Natural Resource Management Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. The SIP will make a positive impact on the interpretation and historic landscape at the Garfield site. The Garfield Farm bolstered the ideological underpinnings of James

A. Garfield’s campaign for the presidency in 1880. The Orchard was a key feature of the historical landscape of the Garfield Farm. There were orchards planted on a section of the site that today contains damaged and missing fruit trees grafted from originals during the site restoration in the 1990’s (according to the Cultural Landscape Plan). The site would benefit from an SIP researching what tree species were in this historic orchard during the specified time period and developing a plan to plant new trees based on their findings.

A tree care plan would be included to outline maintenance of the trees and orchard landscape. Finally, interpretive products would be suggested to enhance visitors’ cultural understanding of this orchard and how the cultivation of fruit trees contributed to the family income and ethic James Garfield, father, tried to instill in his sons.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
SIP will research and develop a plan for the historic orchards on the Garfield Farm from 1876 – 1899 to support restoration of appropriate species. The plan will include species, number of trees, planting and long-term care of the orchard. SIP will utilize the Cultural Landscape Plan and other park resources to assist in their projects and learning.

DELIVERABLES
List of trees to plant in the orchard including approved 889 vendors to purchase the trees and cost estimates for each type of tree; narrative report updating the current history of the orchard in the Cultural Landscape Plan; annotated bibliography; GIS representations of original orchards and proposed new plantings; tree care plan specific to the species planted; suggestions for interpretive products (site bulletin, wayside exhibit, additions to guided grounds tour, etc.)

based on SIP’s research; consultation with arborists from Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Holden Arboretum.

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 Ameri Corps 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…