Ecology Assistant (20 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy • Thousand Oaks, CA

5d • $775 • Onsite

About The Position

This AmeriCorps position contributes to the national I&M program's objective of addressing management issues through scientific analysis of data collected over time. The primary duty is to assist with collecting vegetation data to understand long-term vegetation change at MEDN parks. The data collected will help address management questions related to vegetation response to wildfires, removal of non-native grazers, and impacts from park visitation and past military use.

Requirements

• 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 AmeriCorps 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.
• Must be available to participate for the entire 20 Weeks.
• Must be able to maintain a positive attitude in the face of sometimes unpleasant field conditions, up to 12 hours a day.
• Must be in excellent physical condition to hike comfortably and with agility up to about 10 miles per day including on trails, off trails through (sometimes) very thick brush, over (sometimes) steep and slippery terrain, carrying a backpack with field gear, food, and water totaling up to about 30 pounds.
• Ability to gather field data with accuracy.
• Ability to use and trouble-shoot electronic devices such as an iPad and global positioning (GPS) unit.
• A valid driver's license.
• Daily transportation to and from park headquarters in Thousand Oaks (or Ventura, for the CHIS trip), CA.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Flexibility with occasional last-minute schedule changes.

Nice To Haves

• An undergraduate degree in the natural sciences is preferred.
• Technical experience with plant identification such as using dichotomous keys and hand lenses is strongly desired, but not required.
• Experience driving 4x4 vehicles on dirt roads.
• Experience navigating with a GPS device, maps, and directions would be an asset.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office products, Google Earth, Google Drive, and Google Sheets would be helpful.
• The successful candidate will be independent, technologically-minded, detail-oriented, organized, resourceful, and personable.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the collection of vegetation data to understand the long-term trajectory of vegetation change at MEDN parks.
• Conduct annual vegetation monitoring in partnership with staff botanists.
• Collect data characterizing species richness, density, and/or abundance of vascular plants in designated areas.
• Record field data using an iPad.
• Collect and/or photograph unknown plant taxa for later scrutiny.
• Upload and file site and plant photos.
• Error-check and back-up field data.
• Assist with general team goals on office days, such as annual reporting and preparing for end-of-service briefings.
• Potentially engage in GIS, restoration activities, rare plant surveys, preparing voucher specimens for herbaria, and improving the vegetation monitoring program.
• Contribute to the successful operation of all vegetation monitoring expeditions.
• Contribute to a psychologically safe project atmosphere.
• Contribute to the size and quality of the vegetation monitoring dataset.
• Assist with analyzing and summarizing the year's data.
• Deliver a presentation at the end-of-service briefing.
• Assemble study plot materials for field activities.
• Identify plants to the highest resolution possible.
• Prepare voucher specimens for collected plants.
• Submit voucher information to public online herbarium databases.
• Upload plant photos collected from fieldwork to CalPhotos.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $2,817.00 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 MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED