Ecology Assistant (36 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy • Bozeman, MT

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. Many recent advancements in technology and understanding of variables that impact whitebark pine are making it practical and more efficient to meet the NPS mission in the face of continuous environmental change. Collaboration with scientists and resource stewards across the range of whitebark pine has resulted in increased efficacy in achieving conservation goals. Ensuring and maintaining strong communications targeting resource allocation (i.e., funding) and partnership opportunities increases NPS’s ability to continue high value conservation activities and achieve success of maintaining whitebark pine on the landscape. This project will support existing landscape-scale initiatives for whitebark pine by coordinating practitioners in multi-regional collaborative discussions and utilizing, new monitoring techniques, data collection and analyses, and by sharing updated methodologies. The SIP will develop organization and communication skills applied to large groups of practitioners, practice field data collection and analyses, and present results in written and oral formats. This is critical for this threatened species and can be applied to other five needle pine species that are experience similar threats.

Whitebark pine is a federally-protected threatened tree (USFWS, 2023) as well as an important keystone species in high elevation montane systems. Whitebark pine often grows in places inhospitable to other vegetation, but once established, it creates habitat favorable to other species enabling forest succession to occur and stimulates subalpine variety. Whitebark pine trees have been declining in recent years across most of the species range, primarily due to non-native white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetle outbreaks, increased severity and frequency of fire, and indirect effects from a changing environment. Extensive efforts are underway to restore whitebark pine across its range primarily focused on planting rust-resistant seeds and seedlings. This Scientist-in-Parks project will primarily help to advance collaboration amongst scientists and restoration practitioners within the National Park Service, organize and lead collaborating group communications and activities (e.g., development of best restoration practices, briefing documents, etc), and keep track of the status of activities occurring across the range of whitebark pine. This will improve the NPS’ ability to conserve whitebark pine within the parks. This SIP will assist parks by capitalizing on existing data and also participate in data collection, data management, and data analyses to inform managers. Outcomes from this project will be shared with others across the whitebark pine community.

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 36 Weeks.
• Valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Completed M.S. or PhD in ecology, geography, hydrology, natural resource management or related field.
• Strong writing and oral communication skills.
• Keen interest in ecosystem adaptation.
• Computer modeling and experience in ArcGIS.
• Interested and capable of field activities.
• Able to operate independently and as part of team.
• Backcountry hiking and camping experience.
• Interested in organizational systems management – learning how to influence the application of science to management recommendations and decision making across a broad spectrum of ecosystems and management styles.
• A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate practitioners in multi-regional collaborative discussions.
• Utilize new monitoring techniques, data collection and analyses.
• Share updated methodologies.
• Develop organization and communication skills applied to large groups of practitioners.
• Practice field data collection and analyses.
• Present results in written and oral formats.
• Advance collaboration amongst scientists and restoration practitioners within the National Park Service.
• Organize and lead collaborating group communications and activities (e.g., development of best restoration practices, briefing documents, etc).
• Keep track of the status of activities occurring across the range of whitebark pine.
• Assist parks by capitalizing on existing data.
• Participate in data collection, data management, and data analyses to inform managers.
• Share outcomes with others across the whitebark pine community.
• Demonstrate advanced coordination and communications skills to effectively lead a group of restoration practitioners and ecologists.
• Collect data from field sites.
• Analyze data.
• Evaluate monitoring protocols.
• Present results.
• Ensure continuity of a long-standing; geographically dispersed team focused on whitebark pine and other five needle pine conservation across National Parks.
• Implement established protocols to collect data for long-term whitebark pine health monitoring or at restoration sites.
• Potentially participate in other vital signs monitoring.
• Perform field projects requiring hiking in a variety of high elevation terrain on steep rocky slopes in forests with variable weather conditions, in wilderness and remote areas.
• Potentially travel to several national parks.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $5,176.00 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