Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps na Conservation Legacy

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Northeast Temperate Network, Woodstock, Vermont

Can this position be fully remote: No 

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 03/29/2026

End Date: 03/28/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $700.00 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).
• For 52-week-long positions only:
  • Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
  • Childcare Coverage (opt in)

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. Water resources are critical components of the landscapes of NETN parks and are subjected to a variety of stressors within and around parks including land use change, nutrient run-off, forest loss from pests, and drastic shifts in environmental conditions Long-term monitoring data are crucial for documenting the status and condition of these resources in our parks so that threats are recognized and can be addressed in a timely manner. This position directly supports the collection and processing of water quality data (benthic macroinvertebrates and physical parameters) in 9 NETN parks which have been monitored annually since 2006.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Northeast Temperate Network (NETN) Inventory and Monitoring program of the National Park Service is looking for an energetic candidate to assist with water quality and quantity monitoring in 9 northeastern parks. The SIP will work with NETN and park staff to implement protocols to collect benthic macroinvertebrates and physical water quality data in support of stream water quality monitoring. The SIP will take measurements of water quantity (stage), measure physical parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity), and collect water samples for laboratory analyses within park ponds. The position requires a self-motivated individual with an ability to operate a vehicle and travel frequently to park locations located in NH, VT, CT, MA, NJ, and NY, work independently and as part of a team in a field and office setting, and comfortable working in areas with poison ivy, ticks, and biting flies.

The SIP will be required to attend a mandatory training and expected to perform instrument calibration and other tasks related to field preparation. All procedures are documented so experience following standard operating procedures is preferable. Additional projects may include assisting with data management tasks and preparation of summary reports, revising methodology, as well as participating on occasional projects (such as invasive species management) at the host park (Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller NHP).

KEYWORDS: water quality monitoring, macroinvertebrates, data management, report writing

DELIVERABLES

The SIP will refine methods and develop a draft protocol to implement long-term monitoring of NETN water resources using benthic macroinvertebrates. This will involve developing or adopting SOPs to meet the needs of NETN, writing detailed methods and site descriptions to support future monitoring, and entering data into a database. The SIP will also collect physical water quality data following NETN’s protocol, which they will enter the network’s database.

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.
• Attention to detail, ability to problem solve and work independently, when necessary, excellent organizational skills, interest and field experience in aquatic ecology, including, but not limited to, physical or biological water quality monitoring, skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness), strong commitment to safety and NPS operational leadership principles, and comfort and willingness to work in challenging field conditions (hot, humid weather; biting insects; noxious plants).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Familiarly and demonstrated field experience related to the aquatic ecology of forested watersheds, knowledge of benthic macroinvertebrate ecology, and demonstrated experience with the collection and identification of aquatic benthic macroinvertebrates (in northeastern USA). Experience or familiarity calibrating and collecting water quality parameters using specialized instruments (sondes, light meters, etc), and data entry and quality control checking and analysis coding (R, MS Access).

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

This position will based at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller (MABI) located in Woodstock, VT. At MABI the SIP will sit with the staff of the Northeast Temperate Inventory & Monitoring Network (NETN) which is based on the park’s campus and works routinely with the MABI and SAGA’s resource management and leadership staff and interacts daily with all park staff. This is an area of great natural beauty alongside the Ottauquechee River in the foothills of the Green Mountains. The park opened for the first time to visitors in 1998 and is the first unit of the National Park System to focus on the theme of conservation history and the changing nature of land stewardship in America. The park includes a 500-acre forest property on the slopes of Mount Tom where hiking, nature study, and other outdoor activities are popular with visitors. The weather is moderate in spring, summer, and fall seasons; winters may be harsh. A variety of local restaurants and groceries are located in the village of Woodstock and within a 10 miles radius of the park.

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 selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.

The selected participant should be able to find options of local shared housing (~$800/mo.), renting a room in house ($800), or live in a small apartment ($1200/mo.)

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 Rocky Mountain Network 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!”