POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4406
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Grand Teton National Park, Moose, Wyoming
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 36 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 5/4/2026
End Date: 1/11/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 5,176.50 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)
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: monitoring, habitat restoration, sagebrush, whitebark pine, native plants, data visualization
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Grand Teton has a very active vegetation management program that encompasses sagebrush habitat restoration, invasive plant management, revegetation following construction, and whitebark pine conservation. Monitoring the effectiveness of these program areas is essential for adapting practices and actions to meet our natural resource goals. For example, we applied monitoring results to modify the seed mixes and soil preparation techniques used in sagebrush restorations to improve outcomes. Additionally, over the last three years, we have started incorporating propagated plants into our restoration and revegetation sites; understanding survivorship will give us needed feedback on benefits and cost-effectiveness. Monitoring the direct seeding of whitebark pine seeds revealed unacceptably high levels of predation, leading to us pivoting to planting seedlings instead of seeds.
Long-term monitoring allows managers to detect changes in ecosystems to prepare appropriate responses and communicate that to other scientists, managers, and the public. Such data have been invaluable to our understanding of whitebark pine decline from blister rust and mountain pine beetle and allows for data-backed conservation planning.
Despite the importance of monitoring, it is still a challenge to properly steward, analyze, and present field data. Working with an participant assigned specifically to monitoring will allow it to receive the attention it needs to optimize effective data collection, data analysis, and communication.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This service opportunity provides an opportunity to engage in a breadth of survey, monitoring, and mapping techniques for a range of vegetation management needs across a variety of vegetation communities from sagebrush steppe to whitebark pine forest. The participant will perform ecological monitoring, surveying, and mapping for various programs and projects in the branch of Vegetation Ecology and Management at Grand Teton National Park. Monitoring ranges from qualitative (e.g. site observation and photo points) to quantitative data collection (e.g., recording plant species abundance in plots) and long-term trend monitoring to short-term efficacy monitoring. Data collection will primarily be focused on vegetation, but there may be a chance to collect data on pollinators or birds. Examples include monitoring long-term sagebrush and high elevation plant communities; sagebrush restoration planting success; grazing utilization; whitebark pine direct seeding germination and survivorship; revegetation success, invasive plant management outcomes, rare plant surveys, invasive plant surveys, and disturbance mapping. The duties will be a combination of data collection in the field and office-based field prep, data management, data summary, and analysis.
DELIVERABLES
The participant will be responsible for developing data products, analyses, summaries, and reports or presentations. We will work with the individual to tailor a specific plan scaled to their abilities, with the goal of developing new skills. An entry-level incumbent who needs more development may contribute to the following whereas a more advanced incumbent may lead product development. Additionally, the participant may focus on one or more monitoring efforts for more in-depth analysis, summary, and reporting. Examples include:
* Collect 2026 field data sets for Inventory and Monitoring Program Sagebrush and Sagebrush Restoration Monitoring
* Perform site visit observations, collect photopoints, and create data summaries for revegetation projects including sections of 5-15 project reports.
* Perform invasive plant early detection survey and treatment efficacy monitoring
* Summarize data and report or presentation on sagebrush ecosystem forb (wildflower) and shrub planting survival
* Contribute to whitebark pine direct seeding germination and seedling planting datasets.
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 36 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Completion of a bachelor’s degree or demonstrated equivalent experience in ecological sciences or similar is required. Prefer a master’s degree or some graduate level coursework in ecological sciences or similar and experience with quantitative reasoning. Coursework and experience in statistics, coding in R, study design, and GIS are also helpful. Interest in and ability to identify plants to species is needed. As is experience with working outside in various conditions. Must be able to work well with others, take specific direction from mentor, and work independently in the field making decisions. For an incumbent entering with higher skill level and assigned to more leadership, ability to coordinate and direct others for field data collection would be required
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Located in northwestern Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway preserve a spectacular landscape rich with majestic mountains, pristine lakes, and extraordinary wildlife. The abrupt vertical rise of the jagged Teton Range contrasts with the sage covered valley, creating world-renowned scenery that attracts visitors from all over the world.
Park headquarters is located in Moose, Wyoming which is approximately 12miles north of Jackson. Jackson is a small, outdoor recreation focused, thriving community of 10,000 year-round residents. The town caters to four million tourists every summer, has an excellent hospital and medical community, a well-respected public school system, private schools, multiple grocery stores, excellent restaurants, and seasonal music and art festivals. Outdoor activities are available year-round and include easy access to three ski resorts (Snow King Resort, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and Grand Targhee), backcountry and Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, camping, backpacking, horseback riding, boating, rafting, kayaking, hunting, cycling, mountain biking, and world class fly fishing, climbing, and mountaineering. The weather can be as extreme as the activities that are available. Winter temperatures range between lows of 20 degrees below zero to highs of 30 degrees. Summer temperatures are comfortable, with highs between 65 - 80 degrees, and lows into the mid-30’s.
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.
Housing is likely a private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom. Beds and basic furniture are provided. SIP participants must bring all bedding and kitchenware.
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 Grand Teton National Park.
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!”
