POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4401
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet, Massachusetts
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 36 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 6/22/2026
End Date: 3/1/2027
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: coastal, ecology, water quality, water resources
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will serve directly with a team to conduct critical monitoring and research in a variety high priority freshwater and coastal resources, as well as contribute to essential data analysis and science communication activities. The priority projects for this position are some of the highest management priorities for CACO, and the monitoring and research conducted directly informs managers’ decision making at CACO and surrounding municipalities. The aquatic program has received additional funding to undertake several critical scientific projects to address the impacts of environmental change, harmful algal blooms, and critical ecosystems on several key aquatic resource areas. This service opportunity will serve on many aspects of these projects, and develop reporting and oral presentations on a resource topic. This position also works closely with CACO partners, collaborators and cooperators.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Aquatic Ecology: Water Quality, Biota, Hydrology, Science Communication, Habitat Improvement and Rehabilitation Tasks
Background: The Aquatic Ecology Program at CACO works in coastal and freshwater environments, with a focus on freshwater and coastal water quality, tidally restricted waters and wetlands, and submerged resource mapping. This position will conduct monitoring and research in the field and laboratory. In addition, they will assist with data analysis. They will also contribute to important science communication products to promote stewardship and science literacy. They will also make a presentation to CACO staff and may have an opportunity to present at a conference.
The participant will be involved with field and lab projects for natural resource projects, including NPS Inventory and Monitoring program and applied research to inform natural resource management.
Projects include horseshoe crab surveys, seagrass and salt marsh monitoring, pond and estuary water quality sampling, and hydrologic monitoring. The participant will gain experience working in many coastal environments, on a range of monitoring to management-oriented projects, with a variety of field and laboratory methods and equipment.
Tasks:
• Collect and process shallow water and benthic samples for sediments, plants and invertebrates.
• Assist with lab analyses including using analytical instrumentation for water and sediments by standard laboratory methods.
• Assist with benthic mapping, process data and create maps, with biological, physical, and chemical data.
• Maintain, calibrate and deploy instruments for water quality monitoring
• Collect water samples, process long-term data.
• Assist with hydrological data collection - groundwater and surface water levels and tidal data.
• Assist with pond shoreline rehabilitation projects.
• Science communication activities to promote natural resource stewardship.
• Perform in-depth data analysis and develop a scientific presentation.
DELIVERABLES
• Field data and results of lab analyses (chlorophyll, color, grain size, etc.);
• Geospatial data sets and mapping products;
• Completion reports based on these tasks;
• Presentations of findings to CACO staff and possibly a conference presentation.
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
• Experience in water quality monitoring and instrumentation
• Experience in laboratory analysis
• Knowledge of marine vegetation, and invertebrates, and fish
• Previous experience, or willingness to learn how operate small water craft in these settings is desired
• Knowledge of the natural history and scientific processes of the Northeastern United States; for example: ecology of marine ecosystems, limnology, coastal geologic processes, freshwater ecosystems, marine biology
• Physically able to conduct rigorous field surveys under demanding weather conditions in rough terrain and in water
• Must know how to swim and demonstrate proficiency onsite
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Physical/Natural Environment: Cape Cod is a relatively mild coastal environment with summer season between May and September. Winter weather brings storms, winds and freezing temperatures with little snow accumulation. Beaches, ponds, forests and hiking trails abound. Supermarkets are in Provincetown (8 miles from the Lab) and Orleans (20 miles). Local amenities include many restaurants and small specialty markets. Nearest Mall and box stores are in Hyannis (45 miles). The summer tourist season brings bustling activity from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Service Environment: A rough breakdown of the member's time is 40% field, 30% lab, 20% data entry/management and 10% other duties as assigned. projects conditions include walking on soft sand and in marsh muds in moderate topography, swimming, boating, and snorkeling. Driving on unpaved roads is common and occasionally on off-road tracks and beach sand. field projects will require boat projects via skiff, canoe or kayak. Hazards include exposure to sun, poison ivy, ticks and mosquitos. Safety training and gear is provided for all activities.
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 will be provided at no cost to the participant. Cape Cod National Seashore offers housing within 10 miles of the North Atlantic Coastal Lab projects site. Housing is typically a shared furnished house. Bedrooms and bathrooms will likely be shared with housemates. Residents bring their own linens. Kitchens are furnished with basics. Parking is available at the houses. Houses will be shared with several other residents that are also seasonal employees, participants, or research technicians. Residents are responsible for cleaning, properly disposing of trash and utilities such as internet/cable/phone which are not otherwise provided. Heating and electricity are included.
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 Cape Cod 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!”
