Ecology Assistant (52 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy • Las Cruces, NM

1d • $775 • Hybrid

About The Position

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The assistant will support national parks in the Chihuahuan Desert, the Sonoran Desert, and the Southern Plains, collecting data on a variety of ecological indicators, including vegetation, aquatic resources, soils, and wildlife. These data are used by park managers to assess, plan, and develop natural resource protection activities and is essential for understanding the status and trends of park ecosystems, and for informing management decisions. This would help to make the data more attainable for park managers, researchers, and the public, and to raise awareness of the importance of ecological monitoring and conservation. Overall, the effort and data we collect and manage is analyzed and conveyed to park managers, providing them with the scientific information on resource condition that they need to make decisions and take actions to conserve park resources. The gathered information is vital for assessing the health, variety, and resilience of park ecosystems.

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 52 Weeks.

Nice To Haves

• Completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in natural resources, botany, ecology, or a related field.
• Interest in and ability to conduct projects in a rural, mountainous, high desert locations.
• Physically able to conduct projects in rugged terrain and extreme temperatures.
• Ability to conduct field projects in arduous backcountry situations (heavy backpack, tent camping, off-trail; wilderness).
• Ability to conduct projects well independently and with little supervision.
• Demonstrated skills and abilities to conduct scientific research and produce summary documents from this research.
• Good computer and organizational skills.
• Plant taxonomy, botany, and vegetation field measurement experience and/or coursework.
• Skills with webpage management, creating social media or similar online content, visual media, and other forms of science communication.

Responsibilities

• Operate across the Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Southern Plains Inventory and Monitoring Networks.
• Complete and report on long-term ecological monitoring in National Parks throughout the Southwest.
• Undertake projects both independently and collaboratively as part of a field crew, in varied environments, and across up to 29 National Park units.
• Gain valuable field sampling experience.
• Familiarize with critical data management protocols.
• Engage in science communication.
• Contribute to sampling long-term vegetation monitoring plots in both upland and riparian systems, as well as aquatic resources, soils, channel morphology, and potentially wildlife.
• Revisit previously established sites and establish new permanent sampling plots.
• Collect detailed data on vegetation, exotic plants, and soil characteristics from monitoring sites across several parks.
• Assist with gathering information on water quality, quantity, groundwater depth, and riparian vegetation in areas with critical water resources.
• Support data processing and analysis efforts.
• Develop an independent research project (time, materials, and guidance will be provided).
• Contribute to the completion of various communications, such as web articles, field trip reports, briefs, social media posts, and long-term reporting.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $7,395.00 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)
• Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in) for 52-week positions only
• Childcare Coverage (opt in) for 52-week positions only
• 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