POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4371
Position Title: Hydrology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve, Wrangell - St Elias National Park and Preserve, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Fairbanks, Alaska
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/24/2026
End Date: 05/23/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 700.00 per week, fixed rate
- Relocation Allowance: $ 1,100.00 (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 positions only:
- Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
- Childcare Coverage (opt in)
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: Aquatic ecology, data management, data analysis, outreach, long-term monitoring
PURPOSE
This Hydrology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The impacts of this project will be a better understanding of long-term lake ecosystem dynamics in response to fire and increased public awareness. Visually striking summaries and graphics are proven to enhance visitor engagement and understanding, pairing enhanced system understanding with outreach products will make this effort far more impactful than either done alone. In addition, the applicant will influence the development of wildland fire management policies that seek to preserve and protect aquatic ecosystems, the primary mission of the NPS.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Shallow lake ecosystems are one of the most vital habitats in boreal and tundra ecosystems, producing over 12 million ducklings, 2 million goslings, and countless other wetland obligate birds annually. Permafrost degradation, accelerated by ground disturbance, is one of the largest threats to these critical habitats. Wildland fire is the largest and most widespread ground disturbance in boreal and tundra systems, as such, it exerts strong landscape-scale controls on hydrology, vegetation composition, nutrient cycling, and carbon cycling in lake watersheds; directly impacting water quality and quantity, and ultimately, the health and vitality of aquatic organisms. For the past 20+ years NPS has been actively monitoring lake water quality in boreal and tundra ecosystems impacted by wildland fire. The purpose of this position is to analyze this long-term dataset evaluate the long-term impacts of fire on lake water quantity, chemistry, and vegetation, make recommendations for future monitoring efforts, and influence wildland fire management in the Subarctic and Arctic. The goal is to prepare a manuscript that summarizes the short- and long-term impact fire has on lake water chemistry, vegetation and hydrology, create outreach projects that distill this information and present it in a condensed format that is visually appealing. In addition, the applicant will collaborate with park staff, fire managers and superintendents to help develop wildland fire management recommendations.
DELIVERABLES
Proposed deliverables will include data summaries and R script that summarize vegetation, lake chemistry, and water quantity data, a written manuscript summarizing the major outcomes, including temporal and regional trends, and outreach products that summarize this information in visually pleasing way. Along with these products the applicant will provide recommendations for future investigations, fire management strategies, and revised standard operating procedures. The outcomes will be tailored to the unique skills of the selected candidate.
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 host site.
- The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should be graduate students or post- graduate students with a master's or doctoral degree. Applicants must possess a knowledge of the theories, principles and concepts of aquatic ecology and skill in the application of that knowledge toward analyzing data. Additional coursework in data visualization, technical writing and/or statistics will make the applicant most competitive. Active knowledge of R, ArcGIS, and strong organizational and data management skills are required. The applicant should be able to complete projects well independently, troubleshoot technological challenges, and effectively develop, document, and communicate results.
In addition to these skills the applicant needs to be comfortable completing projects in remote field environments. Be able to hike and carry a heavy pack (40 lbs), capable of operating small inflatable rafts (aka packrafts), and live in a primitive work setting with no latrine, running water, cell access or standard utilities. Bear encounters are common, and the applicant needs to feel comfortable using counter assault.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The selected candidate will be living in the town of Fairbanks, Alaska. The Fairbanks NPS office houses staff from Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve, as well as staff for the Central Alaska and Arctic Network Inventory and Monitoring Programs. With this wide range of Park staff, having a position in the Fairbanks NPS office is a unique opportunity to network with staff from a wide range of disciplines, that serve over eight different National Parks in Alaska. Fairbanks offers unparalleled skiing and opportunities to try various winter activities (snowshoeing, dog mushing, curling, ice carving, aurora viewing) and has all the amenities one needs (food, entertainment, etc.).
The duties for this project are split between the computer and field. Although direct supervision and support are provided by the Park’s Aquatic Ecologists, it is critical that applicants be self-motivated, innovative, and willing to ask for help promptly when assistance is needed. When in the field, the selected candidate will be asked to fly in small bush planes, ride in riverboats, and paddle small inflatable watercrafts. Our sites are located in some of the most remote areas of Alaska, while this provides an excellent opportunity for viewing Alaska's wildest national parks, it does require exceptional backcountry skills, ability to carry a heavy pack (40 lbs), and the skills to live in primitive settings with no latrine, running water, cell access or standard utilities. Bear encounters are common, and the applicant needs to feel comfortable using counter assault.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS 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.
Unfortunately, there is no park housing available, but short-term rentals are available in Fairbanks, a university town of ~50,000, cost ranges from ~$600-$1500. There are numerous options for housing including dry cabins (no running water), apartment complexes, rental homes, and roommate opportunities. Near the office there is an ABB and hostels that have other short-term housing options that you can use until a longer-term housing option can be found. Commercial air carriers fly into Fairbanks, and the borough operates a limited public transit system.
OUR COMMITMENT
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 based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off 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
- Member will receive pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term
- Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff
EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps 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.
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 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/.
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 Scientists in Parks program will host the Hydrology Assistant at Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve, Kobuk Valley National Park, Noatak National Preserve, Wrangell - St Elias National Park and Preserve, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.
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 reasonable accommodations 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!”