POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4300
Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Fairbanks, Alaska
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: No
Start Date: 05/11/2026
End Date: 09/28/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 2,817.14 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)
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: songbirds, small mammals, peregrine falcons, shallow lakes, Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve, Denali National Park and Preserve
PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The SIP participant will support wildlife biology and environmental research in a variety of parklands across interior and northern Alaska and two long-term monitoring networks (Central Alaska and Arctic Network). This will provide the SIP with a well-rounded exposure to preparing for and conducting field duties in rugged and remote areas of Alaska. The SIP will be mentored by a variety of scientists working on various natural resource research and long-term monitoring projects, introducing them to a broad spectrum of scientific methods and building professional contacts. Several training courses will be provided to the SIP to supplement their skills and resume. The SIP will also collaboratively develop science communication products to inform the public and stakeholders about Alaska park science relating to Arctic change, including briefs, storymaps and video production. In addition, the SIP will assist with the preparation of small mammal isotope and fecal samples for additional diet and stress analyses on small mammal populations in Alaska to supplement ongoing PhD student research.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Wildlife Biology SIP participant will assist on a variety of natural resource and science communication projects occurring in national parks across Alaska. The position includes preparation and maintenance of field gear and research equipment for field crews, entering and proofing scientific data, assistance with sample preparation in the laboratory, creation science communication content, and conducting field projects. Field Projects include several bird focused projects and aural and visual bird identification skills are helpful. Projects include songbird surveys in Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA) and Noatak National Preserve (NOAT), Peregrine Falcon surveys in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (YUCH), small-mammal surveys in (DENA), aerial Yellow-billed Loon surveys in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve (BELA) and Cape Krusenstern National Monument (CAKR), and water-quality surveys of shallow lakes and vegetation in various in parklands. Science communication opportunities include service on a story map about peregrine falcons, a conservation video about using small mammals of biomonitors to track environmental change, and observing wolf and caribou behavior videos. The SIP participant will attend all necessary trainings, including NPS mission and policies, NPS backcountry and bear safety, Operational Leadership, first aid/CPR, bear and shotgun safety, leave-no-trace backcountry camping, A-100 aviation safety training, and other training as assigned and available.
DELIVERABLES
- Conduct peregrine falcon surveys via motorboat along upper Yukon River in YUCH
- Conduct avian transect surveys via backcountry backpacking and hiking in NOAT and DENA
- Conduct water-quality surveys (small plane, hiking, pack raft) throughout northern and interior Alaska parklands
- Conduct small mammal surveys via hiking/backpacking in DENA
- Potentially assist with vegetation surveys in Alaska parklands
- Potentially assist with watching caribou and wolf collar videos and documenting behaviors
- Assist with logistics, field preparations and data entry and proofing
- Using Adobe Premiere and ArcGIS Online, collaboratively create science communication products (resource brief, video, GIS story map) peregrine falcon recovery in YUCH and small mammals as biomonitors of change in Alaska.
- Assist with preparation of isotope and fecal samples for diet and stress analyses on small mammal populations.
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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Coursework in wildlife biology or biological sciences including ecology, ornithology, mammalogy, or environmental
- Interest in or experience with identification of birds by sight and sound
- Experience camping and hiking in remote areas
- Experience with science communication, and/or videography, video production and/or storytelling
-Amenable, adaptable personality; able to service with a variety of groups in remote, backcountry camping settings for up to three weeks
-Driver's license and clean driving record
- Enthusiastic about learning
- Works well in a team and has good interpersonal communication skills and emotional intelligence
- Solid writing skills
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
This position will be based out of Fairbanks, Alaska at the National Park Service Fairbanks Administrative Center office. Fairbanks is a sprawling community and the 2nd largest city in Alaska with a population of 90,000. Grocery stores, restaurants and other amenities are available and within 1-2 miles of the NPS office. Fairbanks is a small city surrounded by wilderness with an abundance of year-round, outdoor recreation activities including running and hiking trails, running races, cross-country ski trails, a network of public-use cabins, ATV available trails and phenomenal camping, fishing and hiking opportunities. The national parks are rugged, remote and all types of inclement weather may be encountered year-round. The SIP participant will need to be prepared to expect all manner of weather conditions and be able to conduct projects in extremely remote areas.
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.
The position is based at the NPS Fairbanks Administrative Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. Fairbanks is a small city of about surrounded by wilderness with an abundance of year-round, outdoor recreation activities. NPS does not have bunkhouse facilities in Fairbanks to house a selected candidate, but rentals are available ($600-$1200/month for dry cabins, efficiencies and room rental in a home or dorm room at University of Alaska Fairbanks and are available close by (within 1-5miles of the NPS office). The national parks are at least 2 hours away from Fairbanks, rugged, remote and all types of inclement weather may be encountered year-round. The SIP will need to be prepared to expect all manner of weather conditions. Though the SIP will be based in Fairbanks, travel to remote parklands will occur to conduct research or monitoring projects. The parks will add additional funding to extend the length of the SIP agreement from 12 to 16 weeks to cover the length of the field season. Additional funds for duty travel to a variety of park research sites will be added to the agreement.
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 Biology Assistant at 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!”
