POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4387, 4388
Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Manteo, North Carolina
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: No
Start Date: 5/3/2026
End Date: 9/20/2026
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: $ 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: sea turtles, marine debris, coastal ecology, plants, biology
PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. These positions will support the conservation, management and research of natural resources, primarily sea turtles and the effects of marine debris, in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Due to the effects of sea level rise and shoreline erosion, the Seashore has experienced numerous impacts to nesting wildlife habitat. Marine debris also impacts the ability and safety of nesting wildlife, and its identification and removal are critical to support these threatened and endangered species and their habitat while conducting daily monitoring.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
These positions will contribute to routine biological science tasks common to natural resource management at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The SIP participant will perform primarily routine functions for monitoring sea turtle nest activity such as early morning beach patrols to locate crawls and nests. The participant will also identify and remove marine debris in potential nesting areas. The participant will collect and organize field data and ensure adequate quality control of the data collected. The participant will perform collection of biological samples and record all data collected and provide preliminary assessment and classification of the information. The participant may install, operate, and maintain resource management equipment (e.g., tools, fencing, and posts) and identify and map non-native plants for inclusion into the Seashore's Vegetation Management Plan. The participant will use data collection equipment, ArcGIS Online, and assist with management of an online database. The participant will learn barrier island ecology, barrier island geological processes and shorebird identification. The desired outcome for the service opportunity is to develop independent, self-motivated, task orientated and safety minded participants who significantly contribute to the natural resource program.
DELIVERABLES
The SIP participant will execute daily sea turtle patrols, complete datasheet records, enter data, use AGOL, and online database entry for up to 400 sea turtle nesting activities. The participant will also identify and remove marine debris in potential nesting areas. participants may also identify and map non-native plants for inclusion into the Seashore's Vegetation Management Plan. The 20-week service opportunity will be at the peak of sea turtle nesting in North Carolina and is full time projects. The data collection and entry will contribute to Cape Hatteras National Seashore's annual reporting and future management. Biological samples collected by participants contribute to a DNA mark recapture population study of adult female sea turtles. The participant will provide a preliminary end of season report on the project goals to be used in the annual summary.
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
Successful candidates should have some coursework in university level biology, ecology, GIS, geology, and/or other related wildlife science coursework preferable at the junior or senior level. Candidates should be able to meet physical demands of the job - position requires walking, digging, and UTV riding in soft sand. UTV safety and skills training will be provided. Ability to spend long hours in the field under hot, humid, shade-less, and windy conditions, patience, and ability to live amicably in field housing with other staff is desired.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located along the easternmost barrier islands of North Carolina, the Outer Banks. The Seashore protects long stretches of beach, sand dunes, marshes, and woodlands along three dynamic districts: Bodie, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. Beach and sound access ramps, campgrounds, nature trails, and lighthouses can be explored across the more than 75 miles of public lands. Outer Banks' weather is notoriously unpredictable and can change quickly. The area experiences thunderstorms, high winds, rain, high heat, extreme cold, tornados or waterspouts, and hurricanes. Summers are hot and humid, and the heat index can frequently exceed 100 °F. The communities in the Outer Banks offer grocery stores, hardware stores, gift shops, and restaurants. The closest hospital is located north of the Seashore in Nags Head, NC.
Physical Service Environment: Service is primarily performed outdoors, and field projects require frequently arduous physical exertion such as walking or hiking over wet, uneven, or loose surfaces while carrying field data collection equipment; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting, digging or reaching to observe, collect, or record field data. Outdoor projects primarily occur in hot and humid weather conditions.
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.
Shared house - private room, shared kitchen (shared pots, pans, dishes available), shared bathroom and washer/dryer. SIP participant will need to bring bedding (sheets, pillows, etc.).
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 Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
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!”
