Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Hiring Organization: AmeriCorps
Employment type: Full-Time
Job Location: Sequoia National Park, Sierra Nevada Network, Yosemite National Park, Three Rivers, California
Application Due Date: October 12, 2025

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Sequoia National Park, Sierra Nevada Network, Yosemite National Park, Three Rivers, California

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 2

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 04/20/2026

End Date: 10/19/2026

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of position.
Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
Relocation Allowance of $450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
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 60 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 12 October, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 12 October, 2025. Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, 12 October, 2025.

PURPOSE

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The SIEN I&M program monitors mountain forests, lakes, birds, rivers, and wetlands throughout YOSE, SEKI, and Devils Postpile National Monument (DEPO). Data on key ecological indicators collected by SIEN field crews are used to track status and trends in forest ecosystems, provide data‐driven information that informs park management decisions, identify areas of management concern, and evaluate effectiveness of and inform environmental policies that protect park resources. These SIP participants will be collecting data specifically on high-elevation forests, which are under particular strain due to changing environmental vulnerabilities and disease. The whitebark pine was recently listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Data collected by these SIP participants will directly inform management and recovery plans for these species.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Two High-elevation Forest Monitoring crew member SIP participants will be involved in collecting data for the Inventory and Monitoring Sierra Nevada Network (SIEN) forest monitoring program. This long-term monitoring project involves visiting randomly located permanent plots in white pine stands (whitebark and foxtail pines) in both Yosemite (YOSE) and Sequoia (SEKI) national parks. Plots are monitored on a three‐year rotation to obtain tree‐and plot‐level data. Following an established protocol, crews collect information on:

- Tree species composition and structure

- Tree species birth, death, and growth rates

- Incidence of white pine blister rust and level of crown kill

- Incidence of pine beetle and severity of tree damage

- Incidence of dwarf mistletoe and severity of tree damage

Primary field activities involve collecting field data in remote, backcountry locations with overnight backpacking and travel required. A smaller component of the projects will be in the office organizing gear and samples, preparing for trips, and managing data.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Backpacking to monitoring sites in high elevation park wilderness.

- Using topographic maps, compass, and global positioning systems to aid in navigation and document sample site locations.

- Surveying targeted sites and tree species in accordance with standardized monitoring protocols.

- Office duties include entering field data, organizing and cleaning gear, planning for sampling

trips, and meeting with project leads.

- Maintaining safety awareness and practices in accordance NPS safety policies and expectations.

KEYWORDS: forests, ecology, research, field projects, backpacking

DELIVERABLES

The focus of the SIP participants’ projects will be to gather and use data collected as part of the high-elevation forest monitoring protocol to advance our understanding of the current condition of high elevation forests in Sierra Nevada network parks. The SIP participants will serve with the SIEN Ecologist and Network Program Manager to identify a question of appropriate scope and subject matter based on the SIP participants’ individual interests. An end-of-season product of the SIP participants’ choosing will be expected, including either a written report, poster, and/or oral presentation.

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
Required Qualifications:

1. Experience, education, or a combination of the two in natural sciences and field data collection to meet one of the following:

a. Successful completion of a full 4‐year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of scientific or technical courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, hydrology, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics.

OR b. Minimum of 2 years field data collection

OR c. Combination of the above

2. Experience and ability to hike by foot in the backcountry at high altitude (>7,000 ft elevation) for extended periods of time while carrying backpacks, tools, and supplies of at least 50 lbs, and be able to camp for several days at a time.

3. Ability to be productive and cooperative as part of a team focused on accomplishing mutual goals and communicate effectively, both written and orally, with a variety of audiences.

4. Possess a clean, valid, state‐issued driver’s license with ability to safely operate and maintain a 4WD vehicle on and off paved roads.

5. Experience using topographic maps, compass, and GPS to navigate in remote wilderness areas

6. Strong communication skills.

7. Strong organization skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Experience conducting forest ecology fieldwork

2. Experience following standardized field and data protocols.

3. Experience conducting data entry and management.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Mostly backcountry field projects including extensive backpacking. The SIEN Forest Monitoring crew positions are primarily field based with some office projects. The fieldwork involves large amounts of time outside under a variety of conditions, including high elevations (over 10,000 feet). Mountain weather is highly variable, including the potential for snowstorms in the middle of summer. Much of the field season will be spent camping in remote locations in the wilderness. Sites are located in remote mountain areas and require backpacking with heavy packs for up to 8 days at a time and often off‐trail. In contrast, office projects will involve time sitting and working at a computer. SIEN offices are located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, near the town of Three Rivers, CA. Summers in the foothills can be very hot with temperatures often over 100 degrees.

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 available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Shared or private room possible in a 3-4 BR house fully furnished with kitchen and 2 bathrooms. SIP participants need to provide towels, bedding, and cooking utensils.

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.
Free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.

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 Sequoia National Park, Sierra Nevada Network, Yosemite National Park will host a Ecology Assistant.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal 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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