Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Chihuahuan Desert Network, Sonoran Desert Network, Southern Plains Network, Las Cruces, New Mexico

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 2

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 07/07/2025

End Date: 07/06/2026

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 national parks in the Chihuahuan Desert, the Sonoran Desert, and the Southern Plains, collecting data on a variety of ecological indicators, including vegetation, aquatic resources, soils, and wildlife. These data are used by park managers to assess, plan, and develop natural resource protection activities and is essential for understanding the status and trends of park ecosystems, and for informing management decisions. This work would help to make the data more accessible to park managers, researchers, and the public, and to raise awareness of the importance of ecological monitoring and conservation. Overall, the work and data we collect and manage is analyzed and conveyed to park managers, providing them with the scientific information on resource condition that they need to make decisions and take actions to conserve park resources. The gathered information is vital for assessing the health, diversity, and resilience of park ecosystems.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will operate across the Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Southern Plains Inventory and Monitoring Networks. This position is essential for completing and reporting on long-term ecological monitoring in National Parks throughout the Southwest. The assistant will have the opportunity to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a field crew, in diverse environments, and across up to 29 National Park units.

This role offers unique opportunities to explore and learn about the resources of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts and Southern Plains ecoregions. The incumbent will gain valuable field sampling experience, familiarize themselves with critical data management protocols, and may engage in science communication. The assistant will contribute to sampling long-term vegetation monitoring plots in both upland and riparian systems, as well as aquatic resources, soils, channel morphology, and potentially wildlife. Responsibilities will include revisiting previously established sites and establishing new permanent sampling plots.


KEYWORDS: Ecology, fieldwork, fun, Southwest, Botany, inventory, monitoring, camping, survey, ecological monitoring, vegetation, riparian systems, aquatic resources, soils, wildlife, water quality, water quantity, springs, groundwater, field sampling, GIS/GPS, database programs, plant identification, data entry, research, science communication, data science, hiking

DELIVERABLES

The assistant will be responsible for collecting detailed data on vegetation, exotic plants, and soil characteristics from monitoring sites across several parks. They will assist with gathering information on water quality, quantity, groundwater depth, and riparian vegetation in areas with critical water resources. In addition, the assistant will support data processing and analysis efforts.

We also encourage assistants to develop an independent research project. We will provide time, materials, and guidance for this focused initiative. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to contribute to the completion of various communications, such as web articles, field trip reports, briefs, social media posts, and long-term reporting, each offering multiple potential final products.


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
Applicants must have completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in natural resources, botany, ecology, or a related field. Applicants must have an interest in and ability to work in a rural, mountainous, high desert locations; must be physically able to work in rugged terrain and extreme temperatures; ability to conduct fieldwork in arduous backcountry situations (heavy backpack, tent camping, off-trail; wilderness); must have an ability to work well independently and with little supervision; must demonstrate skills and abilities to conduct scientific research and produce summary documents from this research; and must possess good computer and organizational skills. Plant taxonomy, botany, and vegetation field measurement experience and/or coursework is desired. Skills with webpage management, creating social media or similar online content, visual media, and other forms of science communication would be ideal.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

The incumbent will work throughout the Chihuahuan Desert (CHDN; https://www.nps.gov/im/chdn/), the Sonoran Desert (SODN; https://www.nps.gov/im/sodn/) and Southern Plains (SOPN; https://home.nps.gov/im/sopn/) Inventory and Monitoring Networks. Work setting will be approximately 75% in the field and 25% in the office. The position will be located at CHDN Field Office in Las Cruces, NM, which will be the primary office environment, with frequent week-long trips to multiple network parks and offices.

CHDN encompasses seven parks in the desert and mountain landscapes of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The Chihuahuan Desert is shared by two nations and is the most biologically diverse desert in the Western Hemisphere. SODN serves 11 different parks in Arizona and New Mexico. Straddling the Sonoran Desert and Apache Highlands ecoregions, network parks range from low-elevation desert scrub to high-elevation conifer forests atop the major mountain ranges or “sky islands” of the American Southwest. SOPN encompasses 11 parks across the immense grassland landscapes of southeastern Colorado, central Kansas, northeastern New Mexico, most of Oklahoma, and a large swath of Texas.

Las Cruces is the second largest city in NM and part of the greater Las Cruces and El Paso, TX metropolitan areas. The area offers a unique blend of the natural beauty of the Chihuahuan desert, warm climate, vibrant culture, and a reasonable cost of living. Las Cruces community is rooted in Spanish, Mexican and Western influences, which can be tasted in its Southwestern cuisine and experienced through their rich culture. The city is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, captivating scenery, and ample opportunities to explore the Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna. Discover a rugged landscape, historic buildings and towns, National Parks and public land, Old West history, and a large variety of festive events.

Climate in this area can range from 29-100 degrees and can experience intermittent snow and rain conditions. Summer temperatures for each network can exceed 100F, can range from dry to humid, and a frequented by monsoons and thunderstorms. Off-trail hiking in rough (and exceptionally beautiful) remote terrain will be common. Winter temperatures are mild, with valley bottoms typically free of frost, while surrounding mountains may have dense snow cover at high elevations and north and east aspects. More information regarding climate in these three parks can be viewed here: http://www.climateanalyzer.org.

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 NOT available. The member will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. Many housing options are available in Las Cruces, NM and the surrounding communities. Apartment rentals can range from $350-$1500+ a month in Las Cruces with the average for a 900sq ft. apartment being ~$825.


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 Chihuahuan Desert Network, Sonoran Desert Network, Southern Plains 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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