Condor Recovery Steward - AmeriCorps

Position Title: Condor Recovery Steward - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Pinnacles National Park, 5000 East Entrance Road, Paicines, California

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by February 15, 2025

Terms of Service:

• Ideal Start Date: April 14, 2025
• End Date: October 10, 2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours, 26 weeks
• Position Openings: 2

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Pinnacles National Park will host two Condor Recovery Stewards.

The Condor Recovery Steward is an AmeriCorps position that will assist with monitoring captive and wild California condors in the region. Condors are a critically endangered species, and the Steward will contribute data to multiple research projects and increase the knowledge of the greater scientific community. Additionally, they will have many opportunities to demonstrate their work and share their insights with the visiting public through informal contacts while on trail and at community engagement events.

The duties and responsibilities of the Steward include daily monitoring of condors, documenting observations, hiking and driving to different tracking locations, speaking with the public, following established safety protocols, and maintaining equipment and facilities. This work directly aids overall condor recovery efforts and helps the Pinnacles National Park achieve its mission of protecting natural resources for the enjoyment of future generations. Specifically, duties include:

• Track, monitor, and record condor movements, behaviors, and interactions in captivity and the wild.
• Observe and document condors on video recordings and photos from cameras at high-use areas.
• Hike up to 10 miles each day on steep and rugged terrain carrying up to 40 pounds of equipment/supplies.
• Speak with the public and local community members about a high-profile endangered species which is reliant on public and private lands and hunting and ranching operations for its recovery.
• Monitor breeding behavior and nests.
• Handle animal carcasses used at bait stations.
• Maintain equipment and facilities.
• Follow safety protocols and general practices.
• Other duties as assigned to gain experience with other work groups at Pinnacles, such as habitat restoration and public outreach and education.

Qualifications:

• Must have a valid driver’s license and clear driving record.

• 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 National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site.

• Must not have been convicted of a felony or be a registered Sex Offender & must submit to a background screening.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with radio-telemetry tracking of wildlife.
• Great attention to detail and clear notetaking ability.
• Experience with hunting or ranching operations.
• Education or experience related to endangered species or wildlife management.
• Can pass a pack test (carry a 45-pound pack over three miles in 45 minutes).
• Tolerance of high summer temperatures that often exceed 100°F.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• High degree of patience and sense of humor.

Additional Position and Community Information:

Pinnacles National Park is located in California’s Central Coast region east of the Salinas Valley. The park’s 27,000 acres has at its core rock formations of an ancient volcanic field. The surrounding landscape is largely chaparral with areas of oak grasslands. Beyond the park boundary are working landscapes for ranching and agricultural operations that support this rural part of California and dark night skies. Elevations range from 824 to 3,304 feet and temperature extremes range from 15ºF in winter to over 110 ºF in summer.

The position is located at the eastside park headquarters in Paicines, CA. Housing may be available within the park. There are limited rental options within local communities and in the surrounding agricultural area. Nearest communities for shopping, doctors, hospitals, and other amenities are Hollister (40 miles, population 41,700), King City (40 miles, population 13,300), Gilroy (65 miles, population 58,000), Salinas (70 miles, population 163,500), and Monterey (90 miles, population 30,200). A personal vehicle is strongly advised.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697 (pre-tax)
• Living Allowance of $480.00 per week (pre-tax if park housing is available); $600/week (pre-tax if park housing is NOT available)
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

How to Apply:

Apply on-line at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions. In addition to your resume, please submit a one page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline:

Preference given to applicants who submit applications by February 15th, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will close will filled.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Service Site Contact information: Alacia Welch ; alacia_welch@nps.gov
• Program Contact information: Gillian Watson; gwatson@conservationlegacy.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. 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.

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 full time 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 program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

• Trainings provided: 4x4 vehicle use, First Aid including CPR/AED, Resume workshop

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.