POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4400
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Heartland Network, Brecksville, Ohio
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/4/2026
End Date: 5/3/2027
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: $ 600.00 per week, fixed rate
- Relocation Allowance: $ 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 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: Wetlands, Hydrology, Water Chemistry, Botany, Invasive Species
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will contribute to the success of long-term monitoring protocols within the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network (HTLN), which serves to monitor 'vital signs' of network parks. We began the wetland monitoring program in 2007 and now have nearly 15 years of data that are documenting changes happening at CUVA wetlands over time. In addition to its long-term value, it has been immediately used for interpretive information and restoration planning. Our vegetation and invasive plant data has also been used to guide and monitor invasive plant management efforts across many network parks. The participant will assist the network’s Wetland Biologist as we continue to improve the sustainability of our programs and update to new technologies.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SIP participant will serve as a part of the Heartland Inventory and Monitoring Network (HTLN) wetlands team and assist with a wide array of field and office tasks. Planned surveys include invasive plant transects at multiple parks, water level / chemistry monitoring at groundwater wells, Vegetation Index of Biotic Integrity (VIBI) surveys, and stream mapping. The participant would be expected to hike long distances regularly and often independently for some of these projects, so comfort working alone using a compass, GPS, and maps is essential. We also seek to improve the scientific delivery of our long-term monitoring data (nearly 15 years) and the participant will assist with organizing, analyzing, reporting and communicating these data. Focused attention will be on the water level / chemistry data. The participant may assist other HTLN staff and CUVA resource managers with other projects as well.
The field season kicks off in March and stretches through September / October. Water level monitoring begins earlier in the season - then invasive plant and VIBI surveys are the core focus during the summer. HTLN surveys will require approximately 2 weeks of overnight travel.
Late fall and winter season projects will consist of database management (data entry / clean up, quality control), data analysis, reporting, and communication product development, with field time dedicated to a stream mapping project.
DELIVERABLES
The participant will be crucial to team success in achieving several important goals related to the wetland monitoring and invasive species monitoring protocols of network parks. In addition to the successful completion of field projects, major deliverables to be completed individually or as a part of the team include: Water chemistry data collected, quality-assured, and ready for analysis; exploratory statistics and figures generated for multiple datasets, Survey 123 forms optimized for applicable field projects, and standard operating procedures updated to reflect latest available technologies. The SIP participant will also create a science communication piece with the goal of timely dissemination of monitoring data to a broad audience. The science communication project may serve as a template for future communications – or as a future reporting tool.
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
Seeking a candidate with plant identification skills, an overall love of hiking and the outdoors, and strong organizational skills. Must have experience working with, manipulating and visualizing data. Experience using R is preferred but not required. Comfort hiking all day and working independently is essential for this position. Must be able to tolerate adverse weather conditions, projects in physically challenging environments, carry up to 20 lbs., maintain a positive attitude, and demonstrate situational awareness.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CUVA) serves as the duty station park. Located in northeast Ohio between the metropolitan areas of Cleveland and Akron, CUVA protects approximately 33,000 acres along nearly 28 miles (45 km) of the Cuyahoga River. Floodplain terraces and wetlands, steep valley walls, abundant headwater streams and ravines, and upland forests are common along the river corridor. The HTLN office is located in Peninsula, OH, which is a very quaint town with a couple restaurants and local shops.
The applicant will need a personal vehicle as mass transit does not access the duty station park. We anticipate around 14 days of travel supporting field projects at other national parks in the Midwest. Most days will involve field projects at the duty stationed park while the remainder of time will be supporting field projects and data analysis projects over the course of the year.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS 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.
Park housing is available, and the SIP participant would be given a private room in a shared house. Houses are charming and offer great opportunities to explore and recreate within the national park during off-hours. Several nearby towns offer groceries and other amenities, and Akron and Cleveland are both relatively close by. Houses are furnished with necessary utilities and appliances including a full kitchen, bathrooms, and washer/dryer. Single beds come with a mattress and the tenant will bring their own sheets.
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 Ecology Assistant at Heartland Network.
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!”
