Astronomy Assistant AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position (s): 4308
Position Title: Astronomy Assistant - Ameri Corps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site

Location:

Joshua Tree National Park, Twenty nine Palms, California
Number of positions available: 1

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible

Start Date:

Yes
Start Date: 09/14/2026
End Date: 12/07/2026
Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award
  : $ 1,956.35 upon successful completion of position
• Weekly Living Allowance: $ 600.00 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 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, February 15, 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. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Astronomy, Interpretation, Education, Night Skies, Telescope Operation.

This Astronomy Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. It is now estimated that one third, or 80% of Americans live in a place where they cannot see the Milky Way. Joshua Tree National Park is one of the last refuges in Southern California where the spectacular Milky Way can be observed. As communities grow, so too does the amount of light radiance being emitted into the sky.

Communities that surround Joshua Tree National Park are growing, and the light domes being emitted by these communities are measurable and growing more intense. This trend line makes our efforts to reduce light pollution and preserve dark night skies within the park more important than ever and requires that our messaging reach neighboring communities. Preserving the naturally dark night sky is not only beneficial to stargazers and astronomers, it is critical to nocturnal wildlife species that depend upon a naturally dark nocturnal landscape for survival.

Educating the public to raise awareness about how light pollution can be reduced is vital to helping the national parks protect the night sky as a resource. This night sky assistant position will substantially help Joshua Tree National Park in its efforts to address important light pollution issues and achieve its interpretive and education goals for 2025.

The participant will be under the supervision of two experienced astronomy rangers to develop and deliver formal interpretive programs to the public relative to astronomy, night sky, and light pollution, and will gain significant hands-on experience with the latest in telescope technology including astrophotography and EAA techniques. Additional opportunity exists to collaborate with Physical Sciences staff to perform field measurements of light pollution, to assist in the preparation of an annual report to Dark Sky International, to perform outreach, and to assist in the maintenance and operation of park telescopes and astronomy equipment.

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places in the country to observe the Milky Way. In 2017, Joshua Tree National Park was designated as an International Dark Sky Park (IDSP). Part of this designation is related to the quality of night sky at Joshua Tree National Park, but another important component is how well the park educates the public about light pollution and advocates for preservation of a naturally dark night sky.

The participant will have an exciting opportunity to perform interpretive programs, operate telescopes, perform outreach in the community, educate the public about how light pollution can be reduced, and to learn from park physical science technicians in the field performing scientific measurements of light pollution.

Participant will develop and deliver three products. One astronomy program involving telescopes and one light pollution PowerPoint presentation. Additional (and optional) opportunity exists to assist with preparation of the park's annual report to Dark Sky International.

• 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 be available to…