Ecology Assistant (DHA) - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: South Florida/Caribbean Network, Palmetto Bay, Florida

Can this position be fully remote: Yes

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 05/19/2025

End Date: 08/08/2025

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hour

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.00 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $760.00 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 is all about hydrology. In this study we are trying to document the impacts on vegetation from a hydrological restoration activity. The information reported from this monitoring effort will have a direct impact on park management actions.

For example, how sensitive are specific vegetation communities to rewetting after a long period of reduce hydroperiod, does rehydration change the local fire pattern effects on the vegetation, does rehydration make a difference at preventing upslope mangrove migration into the Turner River? Have rare vegetation communities contracted in size? Should the NPS explore relocation of rare vegetation species? In general terms, the metrics reported here will indicate the health and general trends in vegetation communities and how they are being managed. The member’s project will directly assist in assessing the vegetative community response to rehydration of the Turner River at a landscape level. As stated above, there are several restoration activities that are ongoing, or going to occur shortly, so insight gained here would be directly applicable.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Restoration was called for in 1981. The NPS reacted and restored water flow to the Turner River (added culverts in 1990 and initially plugged the Turner River Canal in 1996). It now has been a long time since this management action occurred. The question is: Did it work?

We are in a good position to assess the larger impact from this hydrological management action in the Big Cypress National Preserve (BICY). Why do we care? This small scale replumbing of water from a manmade canal back into the natural flow way, is the general plan for the restoration that is happening at a very large scale in Everglades Restoration and is planned for BICY. BICY has a number of local hydrological restoration efforts occurring and is part of the large-scale Western Everglades Restoration Plan that may affect the hydrology in the eastern 2/3 of BICY. By assessing the change in plant communities from before the restoration action to many years later; we can get an idea of what the long-term restoration outcome will be. This knowledge can guide future exploration at the landscape level.

The South Florida/Caribbean Network (SFCN) created the current vegetation map for BICY. The current vegetation map (published in 2020) was based on 2006 color infrared aerial photography using a grid system across the area. There were some corrections and updating using 2012 aerial imagery. Additionally, the SFCN supported digitization of the historical vector based 1982 Vegetation Map of Turner River Road. This map was originally developed by NPS staff and was based on 1978 aerial photography.

The member will align, compare, and analyze these two vegetation map products. The outcome would indicate which kind of plant communities have changed, and where these changes have occurred over a 28-year period of time. The member would be able to explore if these changes in the plant communities are related to hydrology or other factors. We propose to have the member explore how these factors may have affected the plant communities and suggest locations for further exploration.

The goal of this position is to geospatially explore the vegetation change that has occurred in the Turner River Road area in BICY. We are proposing two specific tasks for the member regarding this exploration.

Task 1: Consolidate the plant community names and definitions on the two map products to have a similar classification and meaning. Then to convert the historic vegetation map (which is vectored based) to a grid-based product like the current map, so it is directly comparable.

Task 2: The second task is to geospatially compare the two map products and determine which communities are changing and what they are changing into (open water, graminoid prairie, broadleaf marsh, etc.), along with where these changes are occurring. Just as important which communities are not changing.

KEYWORDS: Hydrology, Restoration, Vegetation, GIS, Vegetation Map

DELIVERABLES

The deliverables for the project are: 1) Cross walk the plant communities’ definitions on the two maps. 2) Updating the historic vector-based vegetation map to a grid-based map. 3) Compare the two map products. 4) All of the above documented in a report, with emphasis on the steps followed for processing the data. 5)Presentation of the results from the project with a PowerPoint type product. These goals are achievable during the position time interval because we are building upon existing vegetation mapping work from the network and several the steps can be accomplished simultaneously.

The member will make a presentation to the BICY RM Chief and at the South Florida Natural Resources Center Seminar Series. These seminars are well attended by the NPS staff and management, and the wider public via a web presentation to the local ecological research community. The long-term goal would be to make a manuscript out of the results depending on the long-term interest of the member.

For example, our last MOSAIC member explored temporal and spatial patterns in the colonial bird monitoring data set. The final product was developed into a journal article that has been accepted for publication in the Journal Waterbirds. She accomplished the main analysis during her 12-week position, but we have continued to work together to get a manuscript published with her as first author. These types of position projects instill ownership and develop into professional collaborations.

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.
• Must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD degree program at an accredited institution of higher education for the duration of the position and graduate after the completion of the position. Certificate programs do not qualify for DHA positions.
• 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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The member should have an education in: biology, wildlife biology, ecology, environmental science, or GIS, and an interest in vegetation and hydrology. The member should have basic computer proficiency skills, examples include being familiar with word, excel, power point, or similar programs. Proficient writing ability is required. Organizational skills are important and well as clear communication skills. It would be good if the member had knowledge and experience with basic GIS (ARC Pro), advanced GIS skills is a plus, however GIS skills could be developed during the position. Education in ecology, restoration, vegetation and/ or hydrology would be beneficial as well. There is opportunity for fieldwork, and as such, the member should be comfortable working in a swamp. Member should be able to work well with a team and be able to complete tasks in a timely and professional manner. The ideal member understands that a “Critique is a gift” and is happy to receive it.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

The majority of the work is office work. However, there is some amount of field work as the project progresses. The field working in a swamp. So you will get wet.

South Florida is a wonderful outdoor location with lots of water activities: boating, wind surfing, sailing, beach activities (South Beach), snorkeling, diving, and recreational fishing. Previously when SFCN hosted members there was opportunity to interact with seasonal Everglades and other NPS Staff.

The majority of the work is office work. Florida is hot and buggy in the summer months and there are frequent thunderstorms. Keen appreciation of the weather and working in hot and humid environment is a must. Hurricanes are always a possibility in South Florida.

The SFCN is located between Homestead and Miami, Florida. Both areas have a very large Latino and diverse population that allow individuals to be exposed to a wide range of cultural experiences. Miami’s 2.5 million residents are among the most diverse in the country.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant will not need 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 available at Pine Island in Everglades National Park; this is a substantial distance from the SFCN office (26 miles away - 40 min drive time - a personal vehicle is necessary). The housing is group housing, with up to 2 housemates. There are 3 bedrooms in each house, so each member will have a roommate. There is a shared kitchen. Members will need to provide their own food and linens. Cleaning is responsibility of everyone and it is expected that shared living space and personnel spaces will be kept in a clean and orderly manner.

Otherwise, we have a RV trailer that will be used for housing.

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.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS
This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) Resource Assistant Intern position. Eligible participants must be enrolled in an undergraduate, graduate, or PhD degree program at an accredited institution of higher education for the duration of the position and graduate after the completion of the position. Certificate programs do not qualify for DHA positions. Upload an unofficial transcript from your current institution to help us verify your enrollment status when applying. To learn more about eligibility and benefits for DHA positions, read more on our program page.

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 South Florida/Caribbean 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!”