Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Lassen Volcanic National Park, Mineral, California

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 06/16/2025

End Date: 11/03/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.00 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 Natural Resource Management Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will be critical to the success of this research, which will provide needed data on a potentially significant emerging threat to the park’s small mammal populations. Populations at risk include that of the American pika (Ochotona princeps), a charismatic species of concern and an indicator of broader threats to alpine communities.

In Lassen Volcanic National Park, fluctuations in occupancy patterns raise suspicion that plague and climate change interactions are impacting pika. This study leverages previous efforts to experimentally manipulate plague to clarify its effects on small mammal populations. Results will inform management decisions regarding active response to disease presence through flea treatments and/or small mammal vaccinations and will open new avenues for oral vaccine baits. This study has significant National Park Service (NPS) Service-wide “One Health” implications, is one of the few efforts handling pika, and is uniquely focused at a confluence of alpine ecosystems, climate, and disease. Project partners include the NPS, USGS, and the NPS office of Public Health and Biological Resources.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The selected members will work in the Resource Management Division of Lassen Volcanic National Park on the implementation of the “Pikas and Plague’ research project. The objectives of the Pikas and Plague Project is to understand and manage the potential impacts of an invasive zoonotic disease (plague, Yersinia pestis) upon small mammal populations within the park. The members will assist with an ongoing marked-recapture study of small mammals at trapping plots located across an elevational range within the park. Members will gain experience handling, tagging, and vaccinating small mammals, navigating cross-country using GPS and compass, field data collection, and data entry. The field work associated with this project is demanding due to a split morning and early evening work schedule. Opportunities for summary report writing, scientific posters, and educational presentations will be provided (refer to deliverables section). Members will also be encouraged to work on other projects underway in the park to gain experience and cross-training in other areas of resource management. Projects underway include California spotted owl and Northern goshawk surveys, songbird banding, bat monitoring, wildlife camera monitoring, cultural resource assessments, Whitebark Pine and other rare plant monitoring, and invasive species survey and treatments.


KEYWORDS: pika, mammal, wildlife, research, zoonotic disease

DELIVERABLES

Specific projects, goals, and materials to be produced will be individualized for each participant and will be defined at the time applicants are interviewed and selected. Depending on needs, the deliverables may include one of the following: contributions to a handbook describing field methods for successful pika monitoring and handling techniques; a white paper documenting the annual project efforts and initial results; an end-of-season review recommending protocol improvements for subsequent years; a tabulation of camera monitoring data referenced by camera location and habitat type; a project poster developed for the annual meeting of the NPS’ Klamath Inventory and Monitoring Network; an intermediate grade school activity related to pika and small mammals for the Lassen Antelope Volcanic Academy (a local school); or, an educational presentation for peers or the general public on the project, pika biology, or a biological topic of interest.


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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must have completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in wildlife biology, natural resources, resource management, or a related field. Applicants must have an interest in and ability to work in a rural, mountainous location; must be physically able to work in rugged, rocky terrain and extreme temperatures; must have an ability to work well on a team and also independently with little supervision once training is complete; must be able to either demonstrate skill or the ability to conduct scientific field research and write summary documents from this research; and must possess good computer (MS Word and Excel) and organizational skills. Applicants need to be aware this project involves animal handling, tagging, and vaccination and must be able to implement these techniques safely and willing to treat wildlife with the highest respect and care possible.

The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent legal resident (“green-card holder”). Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. A personal vehicle is strongly recommended. The member will be able to walk between housing and work (5-10 minutes) and a government vehicle will be available for project work. However, it is a 45-50-minute drive to the nearest town (Red Bluff, CA) with groceries/amenities. Access to services (Groceries, Restaurants, etc.) requires driving up to 45 minutes or longer. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Work Environment: Work is primarily in the field with 10-20% office work depending on data entry, data management and report-writing needs. Field data collection would be the member's primary duty and field work will occur within Lassen Volcanic National Park's very rugged, beautiful, and remote backcountry areas, as well as front country areas with moderately high visitation. The member must be able to hike and conduct work off-trail in remote areas. Work is typically conducted as part of a small group but occasionally may be conducted alone. The project protocol is demanding and requires working a split morning and early evening shift. The pika crew typically works an '8-day on, 4-day off' schedule which is great for allowing crew members to explore surrounding areas on their days off. Prospective candidates should be comfortable traveling cross-country on the rocky slopes that pika inhabit. Temperature and weather extremes are common during work periods (see physical and natural environment). Some project work will require moderately heavy lifting or carrying packs and equipment for 1 to 3 miles. Members should be prepared to interact professionally and pleasantly with visitors that are curious about the pika research project.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

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

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Park housing is provided at no cost to the participant. Housing is located in the park's historic administrative headquarters which are located in the unincorporated community of Mineral California. Housing will likely be in a shared 3 bedroom/2 bath Mission 66-style house. Housing availability is tight during the summer, so it's likely the member will be assigned a shared bedroom with one other person. The employee housing area is located near an employee ballfield, picnic area, group campfire site, and researcher tent campground, all of which are within a 5-minute walk to park offices. Water, gas, and electricity are provided. Starlink internet connections are provided at separate nearby common areas (also within a 5-minute walk) and the Park hopes to offer Starlink at all residences by summer 2025. Linens are not provided; the incumbent will need to bring a sleeping bag or twin sheets/blankets, as well as bath towels and toiletries. The housing units are supplied with cookware, dishes, dishtowels, cleaning supplies and cleaning equipment. Please note that cell phone coverage is very limited in the Mineral area. Also be aware that while we live in a beautiful and friendly community, it is also quite remote. Be sure to read our recommendation for having a personal vehicle in the next section.


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 Lassen Volcanic National Park will host a Natural Resource Management 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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