POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4364, 4365
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Chihuahuan Desert Network, Sonoran Desert Network, Southern Plains Network, Tucson, Arizona
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 08/02/2026
End Date: 08/01/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 700.00 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)
- For 52-week positions only:
- Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
- Childcare Coverage (opt in)
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: aquatic ecology, botany, wildlife biology, ecological monitoring, vegetation ecology
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The position will support core field science and monitoring functions that facilitate the availability and use of high-quality science information into park resource management activities.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
We are seeking an enthusiastic person to join our collaborative monitoring team, someone who is interested in getting lots of excellent natural resource field experience and learning about ecological monitoring in several southwestern parks. This field ecology position will collect key ecological information on vegetation, soils, biological soil crusts, assess the hydrology and water quality of perennial springs, rivers, and wetlands, and survey park wildlife using remote wildlife cameras, environmental DNA (eDNA), and autonomous acoustic recorder devices (ARUs). The position will be conducted in remote backcountry settings ranging from Sonoran desert valleys and foothills to high-elevation mixed conifer forests in this ecological variety group of national parks. This position will provide the incumbent the opportunity to explore and learn the flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert and Apache Highlands, gain practical field experience in water quality and quantity sampling, and apply new monitoring technologies (eDNA, remote cameras, ARUs) to study native wildlife. We encourage and support development of an independent research project as part of this paid position.
As part of a team, the SIP will measure riparian vegetation, survey river morphology, collect aquatic macroinvertebrate, eDNA, and water chemistry samples from rivers and perennial springs, and deploy and retrieve wildlife cameras from high-elevation habitats during summer months. In autumn, monitoring terrestrial vegetation, soils and biological soil crusts become the focus, moving from higher to lower elevations sites as the season progresses. In winter and spring, projects will shift to exotic plant early detection surveys, mammal monitoring with remote cameras, and additional river and perennial springs monitoring. Between and around field projects, tasks consist of tabular and spatial data processing, management and analysis, science writing, plant identification/keying, and labwork, with time available to identify and focus on an independent project. There are opportunities to participate in public education programs at the Desert Research Learning Center, and also to work in Chihuahuan Desert and Southern Plains parks on similar field protocols.
DELIVERABLES
Depending on person and the projects selected, the SIP participant will produce an analysis report, new geospatial datasets, a data visualization (e.g., dashboard or StoryMap), a standard operating procedure (SOP), a geospatial model, data output solutions using ‘R’ and/or Python, or a code repository. We are also open to innovation and the development of a product unique to networks.
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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Physical ability to complete 10 hour days, 4 days / week in extremely hot and seasonally humid weather conditions carrying 50 lbs of gear on rugged terrain
• Valid driver’s license, 18+ years of age
• Commitment to maintaining and preserving natural resources and to participating in a respectful team environment
• Fieldwork and camping experience
• Strong science background and interest in field ecology.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Duties will be conducted in field (50%) and office (50%) environments. Field projects generally involve 10 hour field days, frequent travel and backpacking/car camping with extended hiking in off-trail situations - often under temperature extremes in rough terrain. The office consists of shared spaces within an education center, with meeting space, a laboratory, outdoor education and spaces, native plant gardens, and laboratory. The office and housing are located on the outskirts of Tucson, a large and variety metro area of nearly one million residents, access to most amenities, and abundant local recreational and cultural opportunities. A personal vehicle is recommended.
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 available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Housing is provided at the NPS Desert Research Learning Center, located on Saguaro National Park in Tucson Arizona. Housing consists of a private, furnished apartment, shared shower/restroom, laundry and full kitchen located near the Broadway Trailhead, which provides convenient access to the Cactus Forest trail system. See https://www.nps.gov/im/sodn/dr... for more details.
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 Chihuahuan Desert Network, Sonoran Desert Network, Southern Plains Network.
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!”
