Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Teton National Park, Greater Yellowstone Network, Yellowstone National Park, Bozeman, Montana

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: 05/05/2025

End Date: 11/03/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.00 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).

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 in a variety of ways: in 1999, the National Park Service recognized the need to provide better science to park managers for informed decision making. Out of this need, the Inventory and Monitoring Division was born. Each of the 32 inventory and monitoring networks collaborated with park managers, scientists, and other specialists to select natural resources or vital signs for long-term monitoring. This investment is paying off as many of these datasets are 20 years old and growing. The Inventory and Monitoring Division has many examples of how the science collected through the long-term monitoring programs have led to improved decisions such as the delisting of streams as impaired waters, data used to inform the listing of whitebark pine as a threatened species, improving the understanding of how climate change is altering flow regimes of rivers, and controlling invasive species.

This member will get to experience this science-based program firsthand. They will get to collect data and participate in the subsequent steps of preparing this information for future use by land managers.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This position is an opportunity to work with a field-based science program and is a combination of field and office work associated with the Greater Yellowstone Network (GRYN). The Member will gain experience with GRYN’s long-term monitoring programs, which characterize water quality and quantity of springs, streams, and rivers, document wetland flooding and amphibian breeding, survey health of high elevation whitebark pine trees, and estimate vegetative cover in upland and sagebrush habitats. The network gathers data on each of these natural resource indicators or ‘vital signs’ to help inform managers of their current status and to summarize long-term trends. Further, our program examines how climate, fire, invasive species, and other factors may play a role in observed changes. After the core field season, the member will get to help manage the data and prepare associated reports. They will learn about managing field equipment and coordinating with other field and support staff.

The major duties include extensive on and off trail hiking with a backpack and sample gear; following prescriptive data collection guidelines; using field equipment specific for each monitoring program; route-finding with a compass, maps, GPS units; wading in streams, rivers, and wetlands; using data sheets, as well as tablets, laptops, and mobile devices for recording data; driving a government vehicle; working with NPS and partnering scientists and volunteers. When not in the field, duties will include managing field equipment; data management; performing data summaries; writing; and assisting with other tasks as they arise.

Field data collection is performed away from the duty station in remote backcountry locations in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks, the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway, and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Work schedules vary from 10 to 12 hours per day over a 4 to 8-day period with 2-6 days off. Fieldwork requires long drives, front- and backcountry camping, hiking 8 to 20 miles per day carrying a heavy pack (40 pounds) across rough, mountainous terrain in grizzly bear country. The Network has a strong training and safety program. The member will be required to attend and successfully complete all necessary trainings prior to the field season. We will provide opportunities to take CPR and First Aid courses and discipline-specific training to ensure successful execution of all aspects of the position. Following training, as a field crew member, the member will be expected to hike and navigate using a handheld GPS, map, and compass to predetermined backcountry locations. Once at the monitoring site the member will be expected to follow data collection techniques outlined in established protocols to ensure the highest data quality.

The Greater Yellowstone Network (GRYN) is one of 32 inventory and monitoring networks nationwide that were established by the National Park Service to help enhance the scientific basis for stewardship and management of natural resources. The primary purpose of the Inventory and Monitoring Program is to develop, organize and make available natural resource data to managers and the public by collecting, analyzing, synthesizing, and reporting on long-term monitoring data. Learn more about the GRYN by visiting https://www.nps.gov/im/gryn/index.htm.


KEYWORDS: Fieldwork, Data Management, Greater-Yellowstone, Water, Vegetation, Amphibians

DELIVERABLES

This position provides field and office support for GRYN’s long-term monitoring programs, which will mainly include fieldwork/data collection for water quality (monthly, year-round), amphibians/wetlands (June – August); whitebark pine (June – September), and upland vegetation (May, July). The Member will also assist in both preparation (gear and equipment checks, logistics, planning) and close-out (gear and equipment checks, data review and QA/QC, preparing reports) for the field season.

These tasks include the following opportunities:

- Gain backcountry hiking and camping skills in grizzly bear country, including navigation skills using paper and digital maps, compasses, and GPS units.

- Obtain CPR and First Aid certificates (preferably wilderness first aid) if not already certified.

- Data management experience, including data entry, quality assurance, and quality control.

- Preparing data summaries and analysis.

- Preparing science communication products such as reports, web articles, and resource briefs in coordination with a professional Science Communication Specialist.

- Attend and possibly presenting at a science conference.

- Work with other land managers and scientists in the National Park Service and across the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.


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
This position is predominantly a field-based position requiring individuals to spend much of their time in the outdoors and camping for several days at a time. In addition to having an interest in learning biological sciences, the incumbent should have demonstrated experience and a willingness to work in remote, rugged, and mountainous backcountry terrain typically above 7,000 feet in elevation for extended periods. The incumbent should possess the physical ability required to hike long distances, off-trail (up to 20 miles/day) while carrying backpacks, tools, and supplies of around 40 lbs. The incumbent should be willing to backcountry camp with co-workers for several days at a time, as well as learn and practice good backcountry skills that enable the candidate to perform work safely and efficiently in extreme weather conditions and in grizzly bear country. If possible, the member should have basic first aid and CPR training, although the network will support this training if needed. Strong leadership, technical, and communication skills are desired. Individuals that have experience working as part of a team and are flexible, collegial, and have a strong work ethic are sought. Candidates with backcountry experience are encouraged to apply.

Applicant must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

This position is based out of Bozeman, Montana elevation 4,800 ft. Bozeman, Montana is a city of over 50,000 residents and has all of the conveniences of medium-sized town including an airport. The member will have shared office space available for office duties such as training, data management, report writing, or meetings. This position will be split between conducting fieldwork and completing office work with most of the fieldwork happening in the first half of the position. Workdays average 10 hours and may require 4-8 nights of front country camping at established campgrounds and a few backpack trips. GRYN provides necessary camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, headlamp, cooking supplies (pots and pans, stove and fuel)) but not personal items (clothing, food, water bottle).

Field work will occur throughout all GRYN park units, along front-country roads and trails and in remote backcountry settings. Hiking distances range from less than one mile up to and average of 15 miles. Summer temperatures can range from below freezing to the upper 90s and sunny, with both thunderstorms and snow squalls likely. The member will undergo extensive safety training relating to wildlife-human interactions, as the parks are home to various dangerous animals such as grizzly bears, wolves, rattle snakes, bison, and the notorious mosquito. Additionally, the member will be seen as an NPS employee by park staff and visitors, so he or she will need to have a friendly demeanor and patience when in the workplace. The member will be required to drive a government vehicle to reach monitoring locations.


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. Rooms and apartments are available to rent or sublet in Bozeman and nearby Belgrade, Montana. GRYN staff can provide housing contacts to help the candidate begin their housing search; past members have found rooms/apartments using online resources such as Craigslist, Facebook, and apartments.com. While living out of one's vehicle is feasible, recent employees have found this experience difficult and exhausting over the field season due to the amount of traveling and camping required during the field season. GRYN strongly encourages candidates to consider other housing options. With Montana State University in town, there are often short-term rentals and sublets available. Housing costs can be $600-$1200/month.


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 Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Grand Teton National Park, Greater Yellowstone Network, Yellowstone National 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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