POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii
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: 05/04/2026
End Date: 04/30/2027
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 $600.00 per week.
- Relocation Allowance of $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-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. EST on Sunday, 15 February, 2026, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 15 February, 2026. Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, 15 February, 2026.
PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. One of over 400 National Park Service sites across the country, HAVO protects a dynamic landscape with some of the most unique geological, biological, and cherished cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to 13,680 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two active volcanoes – Kīlauea and Mauna Loa – and is designated International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. HAVO NRM program is comprised of native and non-native wildlife management, vegetation management, and restoration programs. For decades, the park NRM program has led research and innovation in terrestrial resource protection in Hawai'i. NRM staff manage endangered bird populations, control invasive plants, construct and check fences and traps to control nonnative animals, and conduct community outreach and service projects. These management actions represent decades of critical efforts to protect and preserve natural resources for future generations of visitors, residents and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners alike.
The SIP participant will serve with the native wildlife field crew to directly support threatened and endangered species recovery efforts at the park. Through hands-on active management, park staff, volunteers, collaborators, and SIP participants contribute together to protect species which are in peril of extinction. For example, HAVO has recently documented steep declines of Nēnē populations in the park, and intense monitoring and protection efforts are needed to help protect this threatened species. Data collected by the SIP participant will provide valuable information to park managers that is needed to guide resource management actions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) protects a dynamic landscape with some of the most unique geological, biological, and cherished cultural landscapes in the world. Extending from sea level to 13,680 feet, the park encompasses the summits of two active volcanoes – Kīlauea and Mauna Loa – and is designated an International Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site. HAVO Natural Resources Management (NRM) program is comprised of native and non-native wildlife management, vegetation management, and restoration programs. For decades, the park NRM program has led research and innovation in terrestrial resource protection in Hawai'i. NRM staff manage endangered turtle, bird, insect, and plant populations, as well as control invasive plants and animals, construct and check fences and traps to control non-native animals, and conduct community outreach and service projects. These management actions represent decades of critical efforts to protect and preserve natural resources for future generations of visitors, residents, and Native Hawaiian cultural practitioners alike.
HAVO NRM Division is recruiting an SIP participant to assist with surveying and monitoring threatened and endangered species in the park including nēnē (Hawaiian Goose), ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian Petrel), ʻākeʻāke (Band-rumped Storm-Petrel), and honuʻea (Hawksbill turtle) populations. Major duties include 1) observing and identifying marked individuals, 2) surveying for and monitoring nests, 3) checking and processing data from wildlife cameras deployed at nests, 4) assisting with the capture and tagging of birds and turtles, 5) recording detailed information on field or digital datasheets, and 6) entering data into project databases and checking the quality of the data entered. SIP position duties will be approximately 85% field projects, 15% office projects.
The SIP participant will be stationed in the field with park staff, volunteers, and University of Hawai’i Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit collaborators. Once trained, the SIP participant may be asked to complete some tasks independently. Field projects may require strenuous physical exertion and walking for long time periods on uneven terrain, carrying a 30+ pound backpack. In addition, there will be intermittent camping in the backcountry for up to 3-4 consecutive days when focusing on seabird and turtle projects. Important responsibilities of this position include ensuring a respectful projectsing environment, safely conducting projects in a physically challenging environment, collecting field data in a neat and complete manner, and communicating effectively with supervisors and crewmembers.
KEYWORDS: Birds, Turtles, Wildlife, Monitoring, Surveys
DELIVERABLES
Deliverables the SIP will contribute to and help manage as a part of the native wildlife group effort include: 1) a database of resights of focal species (nēnē, ʻuaʻu, honuʻea) based on surveys and nest checks, 2) a catalogue of pictures from wildlife cameras deployed at nests, and 3) a database of nesting activity and outcomes based on visual and wildlife camera monitoring. Deliverables managed specifically by the SIP participant will include a summary document detailing field efforts and preliminary findings related to the data collected, as well as a social media post and story map highlighting their projects with the native wildlife group.
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.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate should have a background in biology or ecology, demonstrated through relevant coursework, previous employment experience, or related projects. In addition, they should have a desire to learn about natural resource stewardship at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park and engage in rigorous tasks on physically challenging wildlife monitoring projects. The position does not require experience with wildlife. However, a strong work ethic and positive, problem-solving attitude, as well as a love of the outdoors are a must. Some basic experience with natural resources in the field, hiking, and/or physical outdoor tasks would be helpful so that the applicant understands the physical and mental demands that tasks in the field can require. Training for specialized tasks, i.e., color band resighting, will be provided. A high school degree is required, and the incumbent must be able to complete tasks outdoors in hot, cold, wet, muddy, and uneven terrain, and have a valid driver’s license.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The Natural Resource Management office is located at 4,000 ft elevation within the park. Project duties will be approximately 85% field projects, 15% office projects. Field environments range from hot and humid at the coast to temperate and sunny on the slopes of Mauna Loa to cold and wet at the summit of Kīlauea. Typical field projects involve a variety of terrains including pavement, trails, beaches, lava flows, and off-trail hiking through the forest. Office space is shared in buildings without air conditioning, but typical indoor temperatures are 60-75 degrees.
At Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, the resident community within the park is small and located in a remote area. Volcano Village, a small community with limited services, is located 5 miles away. The nearest large city of Hilo (population 40,000) is located 30 miles from the park. Government vehicles are available for projects duties and obtaining groceries/necessities but are not available for personal recreation (e.g., site-seeing). The county bus has a stop at the park visitor center - however the bus schedule is very limited, so a personal vehicle is recommended for general recreation outside of the park housing area.
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 housing within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park is located within walking distance of scenic views of Kīlauea Caldera, project offices, and the Kīlauea Visitor Center. The elevation at park housing is 4,000 feet. The weather is variable but can be cool with frequent rains year-round. The SIP participant would be provided a private or shared room in a 3-bedroom co-ed house with shared kitchen and bathroom facilities (2-bathrooms). Housing has basic furnishings, kitchen appliances, cookware, plates, utensils, towels, and linens. Wi-Fi is available at the housing unit. The SIP participant will need to bring all personal items including toiletries and laundry detergent.
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
OUR COMMITTMENT
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 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park will host a Biology 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!”
