POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4555, 4556
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Cabrillo National Monument, Channel Islands National Park, Inventory and Monitoring Division, Mediterranean Coast Network, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, Thousand Oaks, California
Number of positions available: 2
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: No
Start Date: 02/01/2027
End Date: 06/21/2027
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: $ 775.00 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: Vegetation Communities, Plant Identification, Monitoring, Mediterranean, Ecology
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will contribute to the core objective of the national I&M program—to address management issues based on scientific analysis of data collected methodically over time. The primary duty of the participant will be to assist with the collection of vegetation data that will be used to understand the long-term trajectory of vegetation change at each of the MEDN parks. At SAMO, catastrophic wildfires have burned through nearly 90% of the Recreation Area in the last decade. At CHIS, one of the most important management decisions was the removal of non-native grazers. At CABR, impacts from high park visitation and previously extensive military use threaten the park's resources. How is the vegetation responding to these changes, and what management options may accelerate the recovery of native vegetation? Data we collect in 2027 will contribute to a foundation from which to address these management questions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) program of the Mediterranean Coast Network (MEDN, which includes CHIS, SAMO, and CABR) is one component of a national effort to understand the state and trajectory of the biological health of the parks. One of I&M's primary goals is to address management issues based on scientific analysis of data collected methodically over time. The first week of the position will consist of an orientation to I&M, MEDN, and its three parks, as well as planning logistics and generating maps and species lists in preparation for field work. The participant will then engage in the primary I&M discipline of terrestrial vegetation monitoring.
From February to June, the participant will partner with staff botanists to conduct annual vegetation monitoring. The data collected will contribute to a long-term dataset that will help us understand large-scale shifts in the parks' vegetation communities over time, for example, in response to burning by wildfires, removal of ungulates, or trampling by people. On a typical field day, the botanist and participant will together drive and then hike to one, two or more pre-determined sites to collect data characterizing the species richness, density, and/or abundance of all vascular plants occupying a 10m x 30m area. Much of the field projects will occur in chaparral and coastal sage scrub vegetation types, but grasslands, woodlands, and riparian areas will also be surveyed. Field data will be recorded into an iPad, and unknown taxa will be collected and/or photographed for later scrutiny. After the field survey, site and plant photos will be uploaded and filed, and data will be error-checked and backed-up. While field days are planned to last approximately 10 hours, 12-hour days are not uncommon. Likewise, mentors attempt to have projects weeks average 40 hours, however, some include more than 40 hours and others less; regardless, the weekly stipend remains the same.
On the occasional office days, the participant will help with general team goals, such as annual reporting and projects toward their end-of-service briefing for park staff. Depending on time and interest, additional enriching activities could include GIS, restoration activities, rare plant surveys, preparing voucher specimens for submission to a permanent reference herbarium, exploring ways to improve the vegetation monitoring program, or discussing ideas for pursuing academia and scientific research. For example, our 2025 SIPs assembled an incredible study guide depicting the different forms of over 100 commonly encountered plants including photos of the challenging seedling phase.
DELIVERABLES
The most important deliverables will be to contribute to the successful operation of all vegetation monitoring expeditions and to a psychologically safe project atmosphere. The participant will also contribute to the size and quality of the vegetation monitoring dataset, assist with analyzing and summarizing the year's data, and deliver a presentation at their end-of-service briefing. The primary deliverables and deliverables will include assembling study plot materials for field activities, collecting field data, identifying plants to the highest resolution possible, and, if time permits, generating graphical visualizations and written summaries of the data collected, all together with (or under direct supervision of) the parks' botanists. Identifying plants to the highest resolution possible will involve preparing voucher specimens for collected plants, submitting the voucher information to public online herbarium databases, and uploading plant photos collected from their fieldwork to CalPhotos (a curated online nature gallery), all of which will aid future MEDN staff and the general public in plant identification, especially of taxa or developmental stages that are difficult to identify.
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
Required qualifications: It is imperative that the participant be able to maintain a positive attitude in the face of sometimes unpleasant field conditions, up to 12 hours a day, and be in excellent physical condition to hike comfortably and with agility up to about 10 miles per day including on trails, off trails through (sometimes) very thick brush, over (sometimes) steep and slippery terrain, carrying a backpack with field gear, food, and water totaling up to about 30 pounds. Ability to gather field data with accuracy, as well as use, and trouble-shoot, electronic devices such as an iPad and global positioning (GPS) unit is also required. A valid driver's license and daily transportation to and from park headquarters in Thousand Oaks (or Ventura, for the CHIS trip), CA, are necessary. Finally, good oral and written communication skills, and flexibility with occasional last-minute schedule changes, are also important. Desired qualifications: An undergraduate degree in the natural sciences is preferred. While coursework in plant taxonomy would be considered amazing, any technical experience with plant identification such as using dichotomous keys and hand lenses is strongly desired, but not required. Experience driving 4x4 vehicles on dirt roads, and navigating with a GPS device, maps, and directions would be an asset. For office projects, familiarity with Microsoft Office products, Google Earth, Google Drive, and Google Sheets would be helpful. The successful candidate will be independent, technologically-minded, detail-oriented, organized, resourceful, and personable.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The participant will serve at SAMO, and CHIS or CABR. Southern California is one of five places in the world with a Mediterranean-type weather, characterized by cool wet winters and warm dry summers. Temperature at coastal sites is strongly moderated, and dry-season fog is common; at inland sites freezing and 100+ F are occasional. Landscapes span clean sandy beaches, rolling grassy hills bounded by cliffs, and mountain ridges up to 3111 feet elevation sliced by steep valleys that are filled with shrubs and trees. SAMO is the largest urban national park in the USA, encompassing a seamless network of local, state, and federal parks interwoven with private lands and communities. CHIS features five remote islands with frequent and powerful winds that can only be reached by boat/air. CABR occupies the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula in San Diego, home to unique vegetation assemblages like maritime succulent scrub. The remoteness and isolation of CHIS islands means that one cannot reach urban amenities, but SAMO and CABR are adjacent to major metropolitan opportunities. The participant will routinely conduct projects outside for as much as 12 consecutive hours/day in hot, cold, windy, foggy, sunny, and/or extremely pleasant conditions, as well as hike off-trail over very steep and slippery terrain, often in recently burned areas (SAMO). Hantavirus is known from the region, and ticks, rattlesnakes, mountain lions, and poison-oak may be encountered. A 1:9 ratio of office to field projects is anticipated.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
While we strive to provide park housing, unfortunately our principal dorm space has a major repair necessary that won’t be done in time. Therefore, SIPs will need to find private housing, and will therefore receive a higher stipend. For example, 2026 SIPs each found a room to rent in a home: one for $900/month (in Camarillo) and the other for $1,000/month (in Northridge). They researched other single occupancy rooms that rented for up to ~$1,200/month. Shared rooms were seen for ~$500-700/month. Other nearby communities (<30 minute commute) in which to search for affordable rooms/studios/apartments include Oxnard, Moorpark, Chatsworth, Canoga Park, and Simi Valley. All of these areas feature major and specialty grocery stores and other modern conveniences. Public transportation to park headquarters is available, with patience. Downtown Los Angeles is less than an hour drive to the east, and Santa Barbara is less than an hour to the northwest. For one of the two SIPs, one planned 7-night trip to a remote island within Channel Islands National Park (CHIS) will have provided housing similar to what’s provided at SAMO; however, the mainland, stores, washer/dryer facilities, or personal vehicles cannot be reached. For the other of the two SIPs, the one planned 5-night trip to Cabrillo National Monument (CABR) will feature hotel accommodations provided in urban San Diego, CA, with close proximity to grocery stores, restaurants, and all modern conveniences.
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 Ecology Assistant at Cabrillo National Monument, Channel Islands National Park, Inventory and Monitoring Division, Mediterranean Coast Network, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.
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!”
