Health education Jobs in Las Cruces, NM

Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Position Title : Science Communication Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program : Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location : Chihuahuan Desert Network, Sonoran Desert Network, Southern Plains Network, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Number of positions available : 1

Duration : 52 Weeks

Flexible Start Date : Yes

Start Date : 6 / 1 / 2026

End Date : 5 / 31 / 2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification : 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

Benefits :

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award : $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
• Weekly Living Allowance : $700.00 per week, fixed rate
• Relocation Allowance : $450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• For 52-week positions only :
• Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
• Childcare Coverage (opt in)

Application Timeline : Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11 : 59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Keywords : science communication, environmental changes, writing, editing, web articles, outreach, ecology, publications, 508 Compliance, invasive species

Purpose : This Science Communication Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will assist in raising awareness of the current status and long-term trends of natural resource condition from three NPS Inventory and Monitoring networks (totaling 29 national park units) using a variety of media. This position will serve directly with science communication professionals and convey information to park staff, NPS partners, and the public. The person in the position will also assist with the production of a variety of publications that provide scientific information on resource condition used by decision makers to conserve park resources. The translation of scientific information in reports and other publications is an essential part of the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division. For nearly two decades we have collected scientific information on NPS natural resources but the translation and dissemination of this information into report or web summaries has not always kept pace with the production of scientific data. Yet, science communication is essential for significant conservation impact.

This position will contribute alongside science communication professionals to assist with the translation and dissemination of information. There will be an opportunity to build templates and content that can further increase capacity within our team, while creating various articles and media to highlight projects ongoing in the networks.

Description of Duties : This position would support the Chihuahuan Desert Network and Southwest Network Collaborative with technical editing, writing, and a variety of science communication projects. Ecologists, biologists, and physical scientists in the NPS Inventory & Monitoring Division need assistance in updating science planning documents, developing newsletters, and communicating results of our long-term ecological monitoring programs to park staff and the public. The information produced through our monitoring programs is critical to understanding the current status and long-term trends in the health, wide variety of, and resilience of park ecosystems. The individual in this position would have the opportunity to interact with a variety of specialists to carryout revisions to science protocols, assist with the formatting and publication of NPS reports, and support the production of web-based or digital products that present text, tables, and charts within browsers. Ideally the participant will have a strong background or strong interest in ecological sciences and a demonstrated ability in scientific writing. This is a unique opportunity to contribute within the National Park Service on the composition of articles for NPS web pages, assist with publication of scientific results, produce briefing statements for park managers (including graphics, layout, and writing), and develop social media posts. Opportunities to create Story Maps and develop infographics on a variety of different data sets may also be available.

Deliverables :

Qualifications :

Preferred Qualifications : Science writing experience is essential, with exceptional command of American English grammar. Familiarity with the Chicago Manual of Style is preferred. Strong web graphics and composition skills are desirable. A background (formal coursework) or strong interest in ecological sciences or nature is preferred. Honesty, openness to experience, creativity, and collegiality are essential for this position. A commitment to, and ability to convey, the meaning of ecological science in the 21st century is desired. An interest in the National Park Service and learning and innovating while working alongside a team of NPS and partnering scientists is essential.

Position Setting : The incumbent will projects throughout the Chihuahuan Desert Inventory and Monitoring Network (CHDN) with occasional projects with the Sonoran Desert (SODN), and Southern Plains (SOPN) Networks. CHDN includes seven parks in west Texas and southeastern New Mexico, one of the most biologically varied deserts in the Western Hemisphere. SODN serves 11 parks in Arizona and New Mexico, ranging from low-elevation desert scrub to high-elevation conifer forests in the Sonoran Desert and Apache Highlands. SOPN encompasses 11 parks across southeastern Colorado, central Kansas, northeastern New Mexico, most of Oklahoma, and a large swath of Texas, featuring a variety range of grasslands and prairie ecosystems. Project setting will be approximately 60 - 75% in the office and 25 - 40% in the field. Office projects will include technical editing, scientific writing, and supporting a variety of science communication projects, including revising planning documents, formatting and publishing NPS reports, developing newsletters and web content, and coordinating with parks and offices to share ecological monitoring results. Fieldwork will involve supporting ecological monitoring of terrestrial and aquatic systems, including a range of data collection techniques and habitat assessments across variety landscapes. The position will be located at CHDN Field Office in Las Cruces, NM, which will be the primary office environment, with frequent week-long trips to multiple network parks and offices. Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico and part of the greater Las Cruces and El Paso, TX metropolitan areas. The area offers a unique blend of the natural beauty of the Chihuahuan desert, warm weather, vibrant culture, and a reasonable cost of living. The city is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, captivating scenery, and ample opportunities to explore the Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna and engage in hiking, backpacking, climbing, biking, and other similar adventures. Las Cruces, New Mexico, offers convenient access to a variety range of restaurants, many of which highlight the region's famous New Mexico / chile cuisine. The city also has numerous gas stations, grocery stores, parks, recreational facilities, local shops, and many of the typical box stores. Additionally, Las Cruces is well-equipped with multiple medical facilities providing comprehensive healthcare services. Moreover, Las Cruces is just an hour away from El Paso, Texas, a larger city that offers even more amenities. El Paso boasts a variety of attractions, including the El Paso Zoo, Franklin Mountains State Park, and a vibrant cultural scene. Weather in this area can range from 29-100 degrees and can experience intermittent snow and