POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4492
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Cumberland Island National Seashore, Southeast Coast Network, Saint Marys, Georgia
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 03/15/2027
End Date: 03/13/2028
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 (pre-tax)
- Weekly Living Allowance: $ 675.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
- Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
- 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, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: Vegetation monitoring, vegetation management, plant identification, GIS, data management
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This project promotes data and position sharing among the Southeast Coast Network (SECN) and Cumberland Island National Seashore. Monitoring plants and their associated communities over time allows for targeted understanding of ecosystems within the SECN geography, which provides managers information about the degree of change within their parks’ natural vegetation, wetlands and shorelines. Detecting observable threats (e.g., invasive species, disease, fire exclusion, sea level rise, rapid environmntal change) on georeferenced plots can assist park managers with prioritizing management actions to promote and conserve plant resources. Training will be provided to increase the skillset of this park steward.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
SECN conducts several different monitoring protocols as part of the nationwide Inventory and Monitoring Program of the National Park Service. Vegetation in parks is monitored as a key vital sign and indicator of overall ecosystem health because changes in vegetation condition reflect effects of stressors such as extreme weather, disease, invasive species, fire, and land use change. While assisting SECN, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a team (with 1-3 other individuals) revisiting and sampling vegetation plots within targeted parks that were sampled in 2022 (see below). They must be prepared to operate in extreme hot and humid conditions, including carrying up to 40 lbs of sampling gear in a backpack across uneven, wet and mucky terrain. Plots are located in remote locations of each park, and often include backpacking/hiking of 1-5 miles (or more) per day. The successful candidate will aid the field team lead with varying elements of plot sampling, including tree diameter measurements, soil sample collection, down woody debris counts, and plot establishment (running surveyors’ tape across plot sites). The only park scheduled for vegetation monitoring in 2027 is Cape Lookout National Seashore. The seashore contains a mosaic of natural and semi-natural plant communities and an array of threats and stressors to these communities. It is the goal of this monitoring approach to assess the condition of park vegetation and document threats in order to provide managers with best available information to make sound, scientific-based decisions related to pard resources. This project will offer the SIP candidate an excellent opportunity to learn the local flora of coastal North Carolina, understand threats to park vegetation, and collaborate with a varied group of vegetation ecologists and park natural resource staff. For the portion of the position managed by resource staff at Cumberland Island National Seashore, the candidate will help the park conduct various natural resource management activities. The ideal candidates would be interested in ecology, enthusiastic about natural resources and public lands, and willing to share their interests and enthusiasm with the park team. Specific activities could include: 1. assisting invasive plant monitoring and management, 2. Assisting with project data management, 3. assisting with geographic information system database development, 4. performing wildlife and vegetation surveys, 5. assisting with the dragonfly mercury sampling project.
DELIVERABLES
Field Report summary of accomplishments, updates to the park's NPSpecies
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
Although many field techniques and skills will be developed throughout the duration of this project, it would be beneficial if the successful candidate had some experience with field projects—particularly with the ability to be outdoors for long hours in a hot, humid weather (this is a project ‘must’). Other pertinent skills include: ability to use a hand-held compass, GPS and GIS training, familiarity with tree measurement techniques (coursework in dendrology, silviculture, forest mensuration, and/or field botany, plant ecology), ability to carry up to 40 lbs of equipment in a backpack and hike for 5+ miles across wet floodplains, ability to operate a 4WD vehicle, comfort with vegetation handtools (e.g., pruners, clippers, loppers, handsaws), and the skills to collect, process, and report data.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
From May thru June, the majority of the SIP’s duties will be performed in the field (75-85%, occasionally may reach 100%/week), with a minimal amount of office projects(<25%). Cape Lookout National Seashore experiences a humid, subtropical weather; summer temperatures range from mid 80’s to mid 90’s (F), and occasional may reach 100 F. Afternoon thunderstorms are possible. The SIP will be expected to complete projects in remote locations within the seashore and have the ability to hike (with a 40lb (or less) pack) across flat and steep and occasionally wet terrain for upwards of 1-5 miles/day. Biting insects and venomous snakes are part of the project environment; bug spray and snake gaiters/chaps will be provided by the Southeast Coast Network (SECN). The SIP will be expected to carry their own water, as dehydration is typically the main risk during the field season. They will be expected to review the SECN Job Hazard Analysis for vegetation monitoring prior to beginning the field project. During active projects within Cumberland Island NS the SIP will live on island and will get to the park via motor boat, either the concessionaire ferry or NPS operated vessels. The SIP will not be expected to operate the boat, but should be comfortable riding in a boat. Cumberland Island NS located approximately 7 miles, via waterway, east of St. Marys, Georgia. Recreation at the park includes hiking, fishing, canoeing/kayaking, bird watching, and attending ranger led walks/talks. Grocery stores and restaurants are located on the mainland, no facilities are on the island, approximately 20-45 minutes away via boat. Temperatures can vary from mild to hot and humid conditions.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
May – June (Cape Lookout National Seashore, Harkers Island, North Carolina): Park housing will be provided at no cost while the vegetation monitoring field crew conduct focus on North Core and South Core Banks. Park housing on both islands consists of a cabin with several bedrooms and likely will involve shared bedrooms and a shared kitchen and living area. While focusing on Shackleford Island, the selected candidate will stay in one of several hotels located in Morehead City or Beaufort, North Carolina. Travel funds provided by the SECN will be used to cover the cost of hotels and per diem rates while the selected candidate is in travel status. April, July 2027-March 2028 (Cumberland Island National Seashore, Saint Marys, Georgia): Park Housing will be provided at no cost on Cumberland Island National Seashore. Housing will consists of individual bedrooms with shared kitchen, living area, and possibly bathrooms. Housing is on island and only reachable by ferry/boat. Most housing features full-size beds with dresser. Housing is equipped with HVAC. Guests will need to bring their own bedding including linens, pillows, blankets, laundry supplies, food, spices, and beverages, toiletries, towels, clothing (including field clothes, rain gear and boots), field activities supplies (backpack, refillable water bottles), and small personal appliances (alarm clock, small lamp, fan, etc. The kitchen is equipped with a stove, microwave, refrigerator, coffeemaker, and basic cookware and eating utensils. Additional kitchen tools may be desired by long-term guests. The living room has modest furnishings and a TV.
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.
OUR COMMITMENT
Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation 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!”
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 the host site throughout the 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, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.
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 (5) 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 Cumberland Island National Seashore, Southeast Coast 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!”
