Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Rocky Mountain Network, Fort Collins, Colorado

Can this position be fully remote: Yes

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/12/2025

End Date: 05/11/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $665.00 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).
  • For 52-week-long positions only:
    • Healthcare Coverage
    • Childcare Coverage

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 support the NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division and ROMN as they aim to provide long-term ecological monitoring data and information for a suite of “vital signs” to park managers to assist them in preserving park streams and rivers unimpaired for the enjoyment of current and future generations. This position will help park resource managers get better access to data and visualizations to make more informed management decisions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This SIP member will work with data managers, ecologists, field crew members, and park staff in the Rocky Mountain Network (ROMN) of the Inventory & Monitoring Division, supporting 6 associated national park units in Colorado and Montana. The ROMN data management team focuses on mobile field data collection, data management in geospatial or relational databases, application development and support, data quality analysis, dataset production, and data presentation through visualizations and reports. The person selected will contribute to several projects that help parks get timely access to data for science-based decision making. The projects include developing code for summarizing and quality checking datasets; developing workflows and protocols to document this; preparing datasets for publication to meet Open Data policies; and visualizing data in dashboards to improve natural resource managers’ access to information. The SIP member will work with network scientists, park resource managers, and science communication specialists to design tools and processes that are helpful and scientifically rigorous. The SIP member may also have the opportunity to join the ROMN field crew to perform long-term monitoring of streams, wetlands, or upland vegetation and soils at network parks.


KEYWORDS: data science, data visualization, natural resource monitoring, R, SQL

DELIVERABLES

Depending on the person and the projects selected, the member will produce data visualizations (e.g., dashboard or StoryMap), data output solutions using R/SQL/Python, a code repository, and/or standard operating procedures (SOPs). We are also open to innovation and the development of a unique product to support park’s science-based decision-making.


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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
General knowledge of data management concepts and practices. Programming experience (especially in R, SQL, and/or Python). Use knowledge of natural resources and data visualization to create dashboards and reports using supported technologies (ArcGIS, SQL Server Reporting Services, Power BI, Tableau, etc.). Comprehension of Esri software packages for GIS (e.g. ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, Survey123), database management software (e.g. Access, SQL Server), and cloud-based data services (AGOL and Esri Portal) and the skill to apply these technologies effectively. Skills in creating, editing, and publishing GIS data in ArcGIS Pro and AGOL; and managing spatial and non-spatial data using GIS and other NPS data systems (Access, SQL Server, Aquarius, EQuIS, etc.).

Solid written and oral communication skills and the ability to be detail-oriented and well organized are a must. Comfort and willingness to work in challenging field conditions (e.g., cold to hot weather, rough terrain, biting insects, etc.) and office environments. Strong commitment to safety. Skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness) and building successful relationships with colleagues. Experience with wetland, streams, or vegetation monitoring would also be helpful.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Work will primarily occur in an office environment in Fort Collins, CO or remotely. There may be an opportunity to assist with some field work in network parks (Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, and Glacier National Park). A personal vehicle is recommended for commuting to the office, to capitalize on local amenities, and exploring the abundant recreation opportunities surrounding the network office.


VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

  • Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
  • A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is NOT available. The member will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. The member will need to find their own housing in the Fort Collins area. Fort Collins is a small city with a population ~170,000 people and all of the typical amenities. Rooms for rent in a shared house are around $700-1000/month and 1-bedroom apartments are $1400+/month. This position can be done remotely if needed.


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 Rocky Mountain Network 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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