POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4339
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Strong City, Kansas
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 05/03/2026
End Date: 07/26/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 1,956.35 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)
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: Resource Management, public health, data analysis, data collection, population dynamics
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Kansas has four species of ticks that can vector diseases to humans. Tracking these ticks can be challenging due to their lifecycle and activity patterns. In 2024, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve passive tick surveillance resulted in a new county record for the Gulf Coast Tick. The SIP participant would directly contribute to establishing baseline population distribution and seasonal activity patterns. Analysis of tick populations would inform population dynamics and their response to management actions in the park. Additionally, the preserve collaborates with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in their service to evaluate risks to public health.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The primary emphasis of this position will be to document tick occurrence to compare species distribution in different management scenarios (e.g., grazed, burned) at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. The SIP participant’s efforts will be focused on inventory and monitoring of tick species and documenting occurrences in priority areas. The SIP will develop skills and perform activities including: 1) transect drag surveys; 2) tick collection and identification; 3) collaboration with partners and stakeholders; 4) data entries, management, and analysis; and 5) presenting information. The SIP may also have the opportunity to assist with other projects such as bird and butterfly counts, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, trail and facilities maintenance, cultural resource management, and collaboration with volunteers.
DELIVERABLES
At the completion of the position, the SIP participant will have collected, organized, and analyzed data on tick populations and habitat characteristics. The SIP will illustrate the data and present the results of their projects to park staff and partners. Additionally, the SIP will conduct projects with the Interpretation and Education staff to develop at least one interpretive material (sign, brochure, article, video, etc.). The interpretive material will be used to educate the public on ticks and their impacts by either incorporating it into an interpretive program such as a walk and talk, publishing content on the park’s website and/or social media, or through informational conversation at the park’s visitor center or other tabling events. The SIP may also use a combination of any of these methods to expand outreach.
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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants should be undergraduate or graduate student focusing on ecology, biology, wildlife management, environmental science, natural resource management, or related field. It is recommended that applicants have completed basic undergraduate coursework toward a degree. The participant should be able to conduct projects well independently, have strong organizational skills, and the ability to conduct projects with a variety workforce. Experience with data collection, Microsoft Software, datasets, and presenting data. The position will require moderate hiking on hilly terrain and the ability to lift and carry at least 25 pounds.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is 10,894 acres located in northern Chase County, Kansas, in the heart of the Flint Hills region. The park is located in and just north of Strong City, Kansas along Highway 177 and the area is composed of primarily fields, pastures, and open grasslands. Public transportation to the preserve is not available. Position Environment: Projects will consist of a combination of field- and office-based tasks. Field/outdoor project is in hot, humid weather conditions with average summer temperatures ranging from 80-100 degrees Fahrenheit. When in the field, the SIP participant will spend considerable time standing and hiking and lifting and carrying 25 pounds of equipment. SIP may be subject to the following: visitor conflict, wildlife exposure, insect bites, ticks, snake bites, poison ivy, heat related injuries such as dehydration, slipping, falling, and tripping. The office projects will consist of long periods of sitting and computer work. The office is a shared cubical with adequate temperature, light, and ventilation.
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 NOT available. The selected candidate will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Our goal for this position is to recruit someone from the local community. However, if the selected person does need housing, on-site housing is not available in the park. There are multiple towns within 30 minutes' drive of the preserve, including Emporia, Council Grove, and Strong City/Cottonwood Falls. There are short-term rental options in Emporia, KS with rental cost beginning at around $525+ per month. Additionally, there are RV camping grounds and several universities and colleges in the area that may provide shared housing options.
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 Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
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!”
