POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4523
Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ajo, Arizona
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 11/02/2026
End Date: 01/25/2027
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: $ 1,956.00 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)
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: wildlife, data management, workflow automation, AI model development
PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument's wildlife program uses camera traps to monitor for endangered species, investigate resource-use and human impacts to inform management decisions, and to monitor vertebrate species distributions across the landscape. The SIP will modernize the wildlife program's workflow through automated AI and NPS-approved software to produce a SOP document and an updated photo database. A camera trap SOP will support the Natural Resource Division, beyond the wildlife program, as it will be adapted in the future for the ecological monitoring program and restoration projects.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is recruiting a Biology Assistant through the Scientists in Parks (SIP) program to complete projects in the Division of Resource Management. This position will be centered around the wildlife program's camera trap projects, which contribute to endangered species monitoring and an ongoing, 30-year-long ecological monitoring dataset. The SIP will help develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) to process wildlife camera trap photos, produce a wildlife photo database, and hike to maintain cameras across the monument. There will be some opportunities to participate in other seasonal wildlife program projects, such as endangered species habitat management and interagency Sonoran pronghorn recovery efforts.
DELIVERABLES
deliverables include an SOP that will standardize camera deployment and photo processing for the wildlife program, and a database of sorted wildlife photos. This SOP will eventually be used across the Resource Management Division. The SIP will be encouraged to share their research through a presentation at the monthly Resource Management staff meeting or posts on park social media channels.
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
Suitable candidates will have at least two years of coursework leading to a degree in the biological sciences. Ideal candidates will be recent graduates in the biological sciences with field experience in desert environments. Desired qualifications include: knowledge and experience using R or Python scripting languages; experience deploying wildlife camera traps and sorting the resulting photos; the ability to identify wildlife to the species-level (familiarity with the Sonoran Desert vertebrates preferred but not required); experience using photo sorting software such as Megadetector, AddaxAI, or Timelapse; experience utilizing hand-held GPS units or tablets for navigation and/or data collection; familiarity with the use of topographic maps and compasses; the ability to complete projects productively both independently and as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals; the ability to communicate effectively with team members, agency staff, and a varied public; the ability to hike up to 10 miles daily with a pack on uneven terrain; the ability to complete projects in harsh and rapidly changing environments, traverse uneven terrain, carry upwards of 40 pounds in a backpack, and otherwise maintain good physical condition; and good organizational skills. Prior to starting this position, a government security background clearance will be required.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument (ORPI) is located in Pima County, AZ in the Sonoran Desert bioregion. The monument is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and its southern boundary follows the international border with Mexico. ORPI is home to a wide variety of life, including federally-endangered species like the acuna cactus, Sonoran pronghorn, Quitobaquito pupfish, and Sonoran mud turtle, iconic columnar cacti including the organ pipe cactus and saguaro, and an abundance of ephemeral spring wildflowers. The monument encompasses over 330,000 acres including mid-elevation mountain ranges, extensive bajadas, and a culturally significant springs oasis at Quitobaquito. Most of projects of this position will take place indoors in a weather-controlled office (80%); however, there will be opportunities to participate in projects in the field (20%). field activities in ORPI involves driving on rugged 4x4 roads and walking over rocky terrain, on uneven and steep surfaces. Field conditions include variety of weather conditions ranging from hot and dry to cold and rainy, with potential thunderstorms, wildlife encounters, and limited to no cell service. Project schedules are flexible and can range from 4 to 5 days of 8 to 10 hours, depending on the SIP's preferences.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Shared park housing will be available. The biology assistant will have their own room in a shared house with up to 3 other residents for the majority of their term. They will share a bathroom, kitchen, and main living space. Housing units come fully furnished and stocked with kitchen implements, such as dinnerware, pots and pans, etc. Park housing is located approximately 35 minutes away from the town of Ajo, which has amenities including a grocery store, health clinic, a hardware store, and an auto shop. Phoenix and Tucson are both about 2.5 hours away and offer full services.
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 Biology Assistant at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument.
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!”
