POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4478
Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Montana
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 11/16/2026
End Date: 04/05/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 2,817.00 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: Clark’s nutcrackers, Bird densities, bats, swift recorder analysis, Sonobat
PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. National Parks play a key role in the world for the conservation of birds because they are protected from human disturbances such as hunting, logging, and development. Bird data collected in GLAC could prove especially useful in better understanding some of the factors causing declines in bird populations. GLAC, like all national park units, uses research, inventory, and monitoring programs to fulfill our mandate to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein …unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations” (Organic Act, 1916). Most of our bird and bat projects are designed to both inventory (what we have) and monitor (how numbers and presence is changing over time) birds and bats considered SOC. The SIP will leave here with a unique set of skills focused on bird and bat SOC, that potentially could lead to long-term employment. The need to understand bird species, their movements, distributions, population indicators, and overall health concerns is critically important in the face of emerging wildlife diseases such as Avian Influenza, white-nose syndrome, habitat changes or loss due to global environmental changes, introduced pathogens, and/or human disturbances. The SIP will help bridge the communication gap between scientists and the public by assisting us in the preparation of reports and/or publications written in appropriate and easy-to-understand formats.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Glacier National Park (GLAC) includes 279 species on its bird list. Many of these species are common or accidentals, which refers to birds that show up in GLAC outside of their normal range. Some of these birds, however, are classified as Species of Concern (SOC). SOC are “native taxa that are at-risk due to declining population trends, threats to their habitats, restricted distribution, and/or other factors” (Montana Natural Heritage Program). Several of these species are the focus of GLAC’s Bird Research, Inventory, and Monitoring Programs (Bird Programs). We collaborate with biologists from multiple agencies (federal, state, and tribal), states, and provinces, on several of these Bird Programs. Every fall, after the field season is completed, we focus on data compilation and analysis to summarize our findings in reports that we can then share with park staff, volunteers, collaborators, and the public. We also submit these reports to the National Park Service Integrated Resource Management Application (IRMA). We have an enormous amount of data generated from these Bird Programs. Our field season runs from the end of April through October, which progresses nearly non-stop in a National Park the size of GLAC with its varied habitats and species variety. Seasonal staff often leave in mid-October, making it difficult, if not impossible, to finalize reports for each project within the calendar year. In the fall of 2025, the federal government shut down, and we are still trying to catch up with data analysis and report writing.
Communication of scientific findings is one of the most important steps in wildlife research and management programs. Without it, people will never understand the why we do what we do, the importance of bird and bat conservation, and some of the risks birds and bats face that can adversely affect their populations, breeding success, and persistence over time. We would like to bring on a scientist-in-the-park (SIP) participant to assist in processing, compiling, analyzing, and summarizing data collected from an increasing number of various bird research, inventory, and monitoring programs: calculating grassland bird densities, assessing Clark’s Nutcrackers occupancy and abundance (using BirdNET analyzer), analyzing bat acoustic data (Sonobat), finalizing Harlequin Duck, Hawk Watch, Bald and Golden Eagle, and songbird annual reports. The SIP will help us tackle the growing need for support outside the nonstop field season when in-depth data analysis and writing is just not possible. The SIP will also download and analyze bat data using Sonobat and hand inspections of calls following a pre-written protocol. The SIP will collaborate with GLAC’s bird/bat biologist to process, compile, analyze, submit, and summarize data from various bird research, inventory, and monitoring projects. Each project is unique in its data collection techniques, so the SIP will be exposed to multiple approaches in data management. Together, the SIP and biologist will develop a projects plan for data quality control, data entry, compilation, and analysis, scientific report writing, maps, graphs, and charts, interpretation of results, and how to write a clear and concise summary report. Each project varies in complexity and needs, so we are looking for a SIP who can manage large datasets, learn new software programs, has map-making skills, and strong writing skills.
DELIVERABLES
Analyze grassland bird data to calculate bird densities, prior to the reintroduction of bison into GLAC. Use BirdNET to analyze Clark's nutcracker (CLNU) acoustic data. Create predictive or correlation models using CLNU and whitebark pinecone counts. Download and analyze bat acoustic data using Sonobat. Definitively hand identify bat calls using pre-existing protocol. Write reports summarizing data. Assist with entering data into existing database templates and writing summary reports for some of the following long-term monitoring programs: Harlequin Ducks, Golden and Bald Eagle Nest Monitoring, Grassland Songbirds, Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS), Hawk Watch. Submit reports described above in NPS IRMA
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 20 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience with data processing, compilation, analysis, graph, and chart creation. Capable of running data analyses in R or R-studio. Comfortable learning new bird (BirdNET) and bat (Sonobat) data analysis procedure. Ability to operate independently, collaborate with others, follow instructions, and general attention to detail. GIS experience. Science writing experience. Ability to conduct moderately strenuous field activities.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The Science Center is located in Park Headquarters in the small town of West Glacier, MT. There are no facilities in town in the winter. Most people make the trip to Hungry Horse (12 miles) or Columbia Falls (18 miles) for groceries and supplies. The towns of Whitefish (27 miles) and Kalispell (35 miles) both are larger communities with every imaginable chain or box store, movie theaters, bowling alleys, and a wide variety of restaurants. There are ample opportunities for cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, and hiking in the winter. Glacier National Park is comprised of over one-million acres park that are characterized by dramatic, glacially carved mountains with a multitude of habitat types, divided by the Continental Divide. Elevations range from just over 3,200 ft. (the elevation at Park Headquarters) to over 10,000 feet. It has an incredibly variable weather in the fall, winter, and early spring, requiring the participant to be equipped for many conditions. December is the coldest month with high temperatures averaging around 27o F, and lows averaging around 14 o F. It is not uncommon to have temperatures dip into the minus 20’s in the winter with lots of snow. Sturdy boots and solid rain gear are a must.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
May have own room or have to share at times.
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.
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 Glacier National Park.
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!”
