Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Grand Teton National Park, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, Moose, Wyoming

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/19/2025

End Date: 11/17/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $565.00 per week.
  • Relocation Allowance of $400.00 distributed as a one-time lump sum.
  • Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).
    • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly).

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 75 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, 19 January, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 19 January, 2025.

PURPOSE

This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist with Grand Teton's very active vegetation management program, including sagebrush habitat restoration, and revegetation of construction sites which relies upon robust native plant materials development in the form of native seed and container plants. Successful restoration means establishing a diversity of plant species and functional groups – forbs, shrubs, grasses, trees, and sedges – to benefit all the biotic communities (e.g. pollinators) in the ecosystem and improve resilience to climate change and other environmental factors. To collect an abundance of seed from a variety of species in a sustainable way that does not negatively impact native plant populations in the long-term, we must have an abundance of plant populations to choose from. This requires survey and data collection to catalog plant populations and monitor the phenology of plants throughout the growing season. Proper seed storage, based on seed biology, is also critical to sustaining the native seed inventory, and germinations testing allows us to precisely design native seed mixtures to ensure the success of restoring degraded sites.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This position provides an opportunity to engage in various aspects of collection, production, and development of locally sourced native plant materials for application in ecological restoration projects. The member will work within the Native Plant Materials Program in the Branch of Vegetation Ecology and Management at Grand Teton National Park, which supports sagebrush habitat restoration projects, and revegetation of construction sites through native seed collection from wild plant populations, salvaging and transplanting native plants, and producing native plants in a nursery. The member will support native seed collection by surveying natural areas and mapping target plant populations; observing and recording plant phenology and seed development of target species; collecting seed from native forbs, shrubs, trees, grasses, and sedges; processing seed collections by organizing, labelling, drying, cleaning, shipping, and storing seed; mixing diverse native seed mixtures for restoration project applications; and recording and summarizing seed collection data. The member will also have opportunities to gain leadership experience by leading and training conservation crews performing seed collection activities in the field. Other duties in support of native plant materials include performing seed germination testing, propagation and transplanting of seedlings, caring for container plants (watering, pruning, plant health monitoring), and salvaging native plants from field sites. There will also be opportunity to participate in rare plant surveys. The duties will be primarily field-based, but includes indoor seed management and inventory tasks, office-based field prep, data management, and reporting.


KEYWORDS: seed, seed collection, restoration, sagebrush, vegetation, plants, revegetation, nursery, grow, ecology, habitat, biology, plant biology

DELIVERABLES

The member will be responsible for updating databases, developing summaries, and reports or presentations. We will work with the individual to tailor a specific plan scaled to their abilities, with the goal of developing new skills. An entry-level incumbent who needs more development may contribute to the following whereas a more advanced incumbent may lead product development: Maintaining and updating existing databases such as the native seed inventory and container plant inventory; producing an annual report and presentation summarizing native plant materials development activities and accomplishments.


QUALIFICATIONS

  • 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 NPS site location.
  • The applicant must be available to participate for 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
​Completion of a bachelor’s degree or demonstrated equivalent experience in botany, ecological sciences, or similar is required. Coursework and experience in plant taxonomy and botany or strong plant identification skills and familiarity with plant species of the intermountain west region is preferred. Interest in and ability to identify plants to species is and ability to learn new plant species is needed. Must be able to work well with others, take specific direction from mentor, and work independently in the field making decisions. For an incumbent entering with higher skill level and assigned to more leadership, ability to coordinate and direct others for native seed collection would be required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway preserve a spectacular landscape with majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and extraordinary wildlife. The abrupt vertical rise of the jagged Teton Range contrasts with the sage covered valley, creating world-renowned scenery that attracts visitors from all over the world. Park headquarters is located in Moose, Wyoming which is approximately 12 miles north of Jackson. Jackson is a small, outdoor recreation focused, thriving community of 10,000 year-round residents. The town caters to four million tourists every summer, has an excellent hospital and medical community, a well-respected public school system, private schools, multiple grocery stores, excellent restaurants, and seasonal music and art festivals. Outdoor activities are available year-round including easy access to three ski resorts (Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee), backcountry and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, backpacking, horseback riding, boating, rafting, kayaking, hunting, cycling, mountain biking, and world-class fly fishing, climbing, and mountaineering. The climate can be as extreme as the activities that are available. Winter temperatures range between lows of 20 degrees below zero to highs of 30 degrees. Summer temperatures are comfortable, with highs between 65 - 90 degrees, and lows into the mid-30’s.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
  • A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is likely a private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom. Beds and basic furniture are provided. Member must bring all bedding and kitchenware.


HOW TO APPLY

Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. Complete the application for this position, highlighting why you are interested in the position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Be prepared to upload your resume and unofficial transcript as part of completing the application questionnaire.

Once you begin applying for a position, the application must be completed in one sitting. You cannot save and return later to complete it. Applicants can apply for up to five Scientists in Parks positions per season. You need to complete a separate application for each position in order to be considered. You should receive a confirmation email after successfully submitting an application. Sometimes institutional email filters/settings can redirect or block emails related to the application. We recommend watching spam, junk, and promotional email folders in case your email service delivers messages there. Please visit How to Apply for additional resources and information about applying (i.e., learn what materials to have ready for applying, find a worksheet that previews application questions, etc.). Learn more about Scientists in Parks at: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.


ADDITIONAL DETAILS


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions.


TIME REQUIREMENTS

  • This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
  • Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.
  • Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

  • Orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
  • Pertinent training from the NPS site location throughout the term of service.
  • Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff or the Ecological Society of America.
  • Opportunity to join one (or more) SIP Affinity Groups. Groups include: DEIJ Change Makers, Women+ in Science, BIPOC, or Pride in STEM.
  • Opportunity to present the outcomes from the SIP position at national scientific meetings held by the Ecological Society of America and Geological Society of America.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.


Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.


Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Grand Teton National Park, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway will host a Biology Assistant.


Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements.


If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under “Questions? Contact us!”

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