Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Natural Resource Management Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Bandelier National Monument, Los Alamos, New Mexico

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: 05/11/2025

End Date: 11/09/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hour

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.00 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 help with surveying for T&E species, which is a critical management need in most areas. Bandelier uses this information to protect critical habitat and potential critical habitat for these species. The Pinyon Jay is a candidate for listing and the park is working with USGS and other agencies to ensure we have accurate habitat use by this rare species. Management incorporates these survey results into all decisions including where and how to manage fire, when to allow specific projects, and what areas to focus on for restoration projects. Bandelier has a very large utility replacement project happening in the next few years and the data from these surveys is being used to inform on which areas need to be protected for these critical species.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

This position will be a key component of the Natural Resource program at Bandelier National Monument (BAND). The member will work closely with the BAND Chief of Resource Management, BAND Natural Resource Program Manager, and the BAND Biological Technician in all aspects of NPS resource projects. While the member will be involved with a variety of resource management projects, he/she will mainly focus on a comprehensive survey effort for Threatened and Endangered species in the park to include Yellow-billed Cuckoo, SW Willow Flycatcher, Mexican Spotted Owl (threatened), Jemez Mountains Salamander (endangered), and New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse (endangered). Another main task of the member will be to survey for the Pinyon Jay and complete passerine point counts to continue multiple years of effort in the park. The member will also assist with native fish surveys and reintroductions, fire ecology plot reading and establishment, vegetation restoration, bat surveys, peregrine falcon surveys, bird banding, camera trapping, water quality analysis, beaver monitoring, and resource education. The member will learn proper bird banding skills and identifiable traits such as how to determine the age and sex of birds. He/she will learn or expand his/her skills pertaining to public speaking as one of the requirements of this position are to present bird migration and biology information to 4th-6th graders. The member will learn much about native versus non-native, invasive vegetation and how it affects other species. The member will become very familiar with how water quality is integral to the reintroduction of native trout and beaver back into the streams in the park. The member will leave this position with many skills that will make them competitive for any future job in natural resources. From this 26-week position, the SIP will gain a broad range of skills and experience related to natural resource management, federal land management, and the management of Threatened and Endangered species.


KEYWORDS: Wildlife, Restoration, Endangered Species, birds

DELIVERABLES

The member will become proficient in surveying for and identifying endangered species. He/she will have the opportunity to work with wildlife experts to determine best habitat and best management practices for these species. The member will learn much about native versus non-native, invasive vegetation and how it affects other species. He/she will become very familiar with how water quality is integral to the reintroduction of native trout and beaver back into the streams in the park. The member will leave this position with many skills that will make them competitive for any future job in natural resources. He/she will prepare a comprehensive report for the park management team on the results from their NMMJM surveys and give suggestions for best management practices to sustain this endangered species. The SIP will give a presentation at the local nature center and one to the BAND staff about their findings.


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
Must have a degree or be working towards a Bachelor of Science degree in biology, ecology, natural resources, or wildlife. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Bandelier National Monument (BAND) is a unit of the National Park System located near the town of Los Alamos, NM. BAND is located on the Pajarito Plateau in northern New Mexico, and protects over 33,000 acres of rugged canyons, mesas, and forests ranging from just over 5,000 feet in elevation near the Rio Grande River to over 10,000 feet in elevation at the park’s northern boundary in the Jemez Mountains. The neighboring towns of Los Alamos and White Rock are located approximately 25 minutes away; Santa Fe is about 45 minutes away. The headquarters of Bandelier is over 6,000 feet in elevation and summers in the park are characterized by very warm days, cool nights, and frequent monsoonal thunderstorms. A vehicle will be available for work-related duties, but a personal vehicle is required for other activities. There is no internet available in park housing and cell service/Wi-Fi is limited to Verizon within the headquarters area. The nearest public high-speed internet is available at the White Rock library. The SIP is required to be able to work repeatedly in challenging field conditions carrying a pack weighing up to 35lbs on long hikes (10+ miles) with significant elevation change at high elevation while maintaining situational awareness and rigorous scientific quality. The SIP will spend approximately 75% of their time in the field and 25% in the office. Field work hours will be highly variable and include both night and day work with variable start/finish times but not exceeding 40 hours per week. Field work will occur in remote locations commonly in steep and rough terrain requiring long hikes with occasional overnight trips requiring camping in the field. Hazards included the terrain, rattlesnakes, black bear, mountain lions, sun exposure, high elevation, and lack of perennial water sources in some locations. Office work will require skills in report writing and attention to detail as well as the ability to analyze acoustic data using both visual and auditory methods.


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. Member will be placed in a housing unit with a shared kitchen, bathroom(s), and living areas. All effort will be made for each member to have their own room. All furniture and cooking supplies will be provided. Housing will be inside Bandelier National Monument within 3 miles of the Headquarters area.


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 Bandelier National Monument 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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