Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/05/2025

End Date: 07/28/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.00 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 Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist with the purpose of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, which is to preserve, protect, and interpret the nationally significant resources associated with the Civil War Campaign for Chattanooga and the 12,000 years of American Indian presence on Moccasin Bend. Thus, this position represents a nexus between the park’s ecological and cultural needs by protecting and restoring native plant species of cultural significance and ecological communities that were present at the time of the Civil War. By the conclusion of this position, the member will have made important contributions to natural resource management of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park preserves more than 9000 acres of land containing battlefields, monuments, forests, and archaeological sites dating to 12,000 years before present. The Park has a diversity of ecologically and culturally significant plant species and numerous plant and animal species of conservation concern. This position will assist in preservation of the park’s biological and ecological resources. The member’s primary project will involve collecting data on infestations of southern pine beetle, emerald ash borer, and other forest pests and diseases. Plant species identification will be completed using visual inspection of plant material and the use of dichotomous (i.e., taxonomic) keys. Plant health and geospatial data will be collected using GPS devices, photographs, and possibly aerial drone surveys. The SIP Member will be responsible for collecting data and uploading information to a shared computer network. Secondary projects will involve restoration of plant communities present at the time of the Civil War, with special focus on the Park’s native glade and grassland ecological systems. Restoration projects will involve plant species identification in the field, assisting with care of plants in the nursery and restoration/demonstration plantings, and collecting data on transplant survival. The member will receive mentorship on data analysis and preparation of the scientific results used in assessing project success.


KEYWORDS: forest health, ecological restoration, vegetation monitoring, invasive species, native species

DELIVERABLES

The data collected by the SIP Member will be used to guide plant disease and invasive species treatment efforts of park staff. Native plant species that the member has inventoried and helped care for will be used to restore species to ecological communities that are currently rare or imperiled. Transplant survival data will be analyzed and used to inform future restoration efforts by park staff.


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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
We are seeking advanced undergraduate or graduate students pursuing a degree in biology, ecology, environmental science, forestry, or a related field. Recent graduates are also eligible. Experience using dichotomous (i.e., taxonomic) keys is preferred. Coursework in botany, plant ecology, plant taxonomy, dendrology, and related subjects is preferred, however, other subjects (e.g., mycology, landscape architecture) are acceptable. Strong organizational skills and excellent record keeping practices are required. A positive attitude, willingness to learn new technical skills, and ability to stay focused in uncomfortable field conditions (e.g., heat, humidity, light rain) will be required for project success. Previous experience navigating off-trail, using ArcGIS/QGIS, and using aerial drones is desired; however, these skills can be learned on the job.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Physical/Natural Environment: Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park is in southeast Tennessee and northwest Georgia. Summer low temperatures are normally in the 50s in May, while summer high temperatures are normally in the 90s with high humidity in August. Elevation in the park ranges from 620 feet to just over 2000 feet. The park is within the Chattanooga metropolitan area, which has housing options, grocery stores, restaurants, banks/ATMs, gyms, department stores, and many recreation and entertainment options. Work Environment: The work will have a heavy field component with comparatively less time each week spent in the office. When collecting data in the field, the member will drive to field site access points, then use aerial imagery, topographic maps and compass, and GPS tools to hike to field sites through forests and fields, both on and off-trail and, at times, through dense vegetation. Some areas of the park are rugged and mountainous, which will require the ability to travel across challenging terrain with sampling equipment. Hazards include high heat and humidity, stinging insects, ticks, venomous snakes, and thunderstorms. PPE will be provided. The workday plan will be adjusted for work indoors when thunderstorms are in the forecast. Preparation for field work and data management will take place in an office. Office work may involve multiple hours at a time spent at the computer working with data and reviewing scientific and cultural documents.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
  • A personal vehicle is not required for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Park housing will be provided. Housing includes a private bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen facilities. Kitchen is supplied with pots and pans. Member will need to bring bedding, towels, and personal items.


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 Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a Ecology 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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