Ecology Assistant (26 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy • Fredericksburg, VA

1d • $675 • Hybrid

About The Position

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The participant will contribute to the long-term monitoring of natural resource vital signs through projects involving data management, field data collection and/or GIS. These data are vital for informing management decisions in parks and across the MIDN. The participant will collaborate with the Mid-Atlantic Inventory and Monitoring Network (MIDN), assisting with a variety of natural resource monitoring projects from 10 National Parks in Virginia and Pennsylvania. This will primarily be an office-based position although there will also be field-based components to the service. The MIDN collects information on a wide variety of natural resource “vital signs” through field observations, data management, analysis, and communication. With guidance from network staff, the participant will assist with MIDN data management workflows including QA/QC procedures, photo point data management, and potentially GIS support. Additionally, the service will include monitoring tasks through field data collection and protocol implementation. The SIP candidate’s service will contribute directly with park-based natural resource managers to implement park management tasks. These tasks can include invasive species management, natural resource surveys, and GIS support. There is potential for travel to several MIDN parks to complete service to parks. Service products will include developing data management workflows, interacting with monitoring data, and supporting park management. Opportunities to focus on products such as AGOL app development (Dashboards, Survey123, etc.) will be possible as well as analytical tasks.

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 26 Weeks.
• Comfort and willingness to complete projects in challenging field conditions (hot/cold, humid weather; biting insects; noxious plants).
• Skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness).
• Attention to detail.
• Strong commitment to safety and NPS operational leadership principles.
• Attention to detail and ability to follow standard procedures.
• Familiarity with MS Office, Teams, and OneDrive.
• Introductory knowledge of geographic information systems; raster and vector data models; creating, editing, and publishing GIS data in ArcGIS Pro and AGOL; conducting a variety of analyses using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst and other extensions.
• Ability to operate independently.

Nice To Haves

• Skills in R could be useful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with MIDN data management workflows including QA/QC procedures, photo point data management, and potentially GIS support.
• Conduct monitoring tasks through field data collection and protocol implementation.
• Contribute directly with park-based natural resource managers to implement park management tasks, such as invasive species management, natural resource surveys, and GIS support.
• Develop data management workflows.
• Interact with monitoring data.
• Support park management.
• Potentially develop AGOL apps (Dashboards, Survey123, etc.).
• Perform analytical tasks.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $3,697.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
• Weekly Living Allowance: $675.00 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