Forestry Assistant (52 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy • San Juan, PR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This Forestry Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Participants will address impacts of invasive species. SAJU includes iconic structures such as Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, and the city wall that defended San Juan since the 16th century. The proliferation of invasive species such as green iguanas and free-ranging cats threatens the park's resources, tourism, public health, and historical integrity. The participants will address invasive species impacts on variety of life and historical heritage. They will provide the interdisciplinary approach the park requires, focusing on restoration and landscape conservation. Restore native habitats, protect sensitive plant species, and enhance understanding of invasive species' ecological effects. The participants will not carry out any mitigation of invasive species.

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.
• The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

Nice To Haves

• All candidates should demonstrate strong fieldwork skills, rigorous data logging, and basic knowledge of English and Spanish.
• All candidates must be team-oriented and committed to public service, conservation, and responsible bioethics.
• Training in biology, ecology, natural sciences, or environmental science.
• Strong skills in plant identification, plant taxonomy, GIS use, and independent fieldwork in variable climates are required.
• Familiarity with sampling methods such as transects, quadrats, rain gauges, or plot-based inventories is expected, along with knowledge of botanical classification (and taxonomic keys.

Responsibilities

• Identifying, evaluating, and documenting plant wide variety of and ecological conditions throughout the park.
• Assist in vegetation inventories using quadrant and plot-based sampling to identify plant species, including vines, shrubs, trees, and herbaceous monocots and dicots.
• Vegetation mapping, assessing the impact of invasive species on plant communities, and contributing to a reference inventory that supports restoration planning and educational outreach.
• Use GIS tools to collect and visualize findings and assessments, working with data processing software.
• Produce a detailed vegetation inventory using GIS-based mapping to identify variety of life hotspots and vegetation distribution, including degraded areas.
• Contribute to a technical document recommending restoration actions based on findings.

Benefits

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award : $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
• Weekly Living Allowance: $ 600.00 per week, fixed rate
• Relocation Allowance: $ 1,100.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
• Childcare Coverage (opt in)

What This Job Offers

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