POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4516
Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Yosemite National Park, El Portal, California
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 20 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 10/19/2026
End Date: 03/08/2027
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: fisher, field projects, telemetry, capture and handling, navigation
PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This service meets the NPS mission by preserving special status wildlife species. This service is one of the highest priorities in YNP (Yosemite National Park). YNP biologists are collaborating with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to create conservation strategies for fishers, which are listed as a federal and state endangered species in the southern Sierra Nevada. Fishers are found in the mid-elevation dense forests of the foothills and mountains, which are considered at high risk for catastrophic wildfires. This species is of special conservation concern as they are an indicator species of forest health and require specific habitat structures that take decades or centuries to form these (e.g., snags, tree cavities). Our project is investigating how fishers are using a drastically changing landscape as wildfires are increasing in intensity and frequency, and whether their habitat and life history requirements are at risk from severe fires. Our results aim to inform fire managers how to balance the need to restore forest resiliency using prescribed burns and thinning treatments with the conservation needs of fishers.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The participant will be an integral part of Yosemite’s Fisher Research Program, which involves learning about movement patterns and habitat preferences of the endangered fisher population in the southern Sierra Nevada. The participant will be mentored in endangered species research techniques for studying movement patterns and habitat preferences of the endangered fisher population in the southern Sierra Nevada. Field projects duties will include setting and checking Tomahawk traps, releasing non-target animals, assisting technicians with fisher captures, and performing telemetry missions to track fishers and download GPS points remotely from collared individuals. Hiking and snowshoeing in steep forested terrain, driving on paved and 4WD dirt roads in winter weather conditions, collaborating independently and with a team in the field, navigating using GPS and topographic maps, following standardized protocols, and entering data will be required. Participants will assist NPS biologists at fisher capture events and help record and collect biological data. Other field tasks may involve remote camera deployment and maintenance.
DELIVERABLES
The participant will be assigned 1-2 principal projects based on their interest and experience that would further the conservation and research goals of the Yosemite Fisher Program. Projects may include creating Story Maps to share project accomplishments and interpret park resources, establishing workflows for processing and sharing telemetry data with collaborators, and/or assisting with training and outreach materials.
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
Coursework: BS degree in wildlife biology, natural resources, or environmental science preferred. Safety certifications: First Aid/CPR or WFA/WFR certification preferred. Avalanche training equivalent to Level 1 AIARE preferred but not necessary. Skillsets: Experience navigating using GPS and topographic maps in winter conditions; hiking and snowshoeing in rugged terrain and in adverse environmental conditions; ability to conduct projects independently and in a team setting during stressful situations (wildlife captures); experience tracking animals using telemetry (preferred but not necessary); ability to follow detailed protocols and have flexibility when conditions/expectations change for daily tasks; sense of humor and passion for wildlife conservation projects!
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Yosemite National Park is famous for its soaring cliffs, spectacular waterfalls, deep glacial valleys, and rugged wilderness. The majority (90%) of participant's time will be spent in the field navigating off-trail into drainages, up ridges, and through densely forested areas in Yosemite National Park’s rugged wilderness. Occasional office time (10%) will involve entering, proofing, and managing field data, photo-tagging remote sensor camera images, and maintaining equipment and maintaining vehicles. field activities can be strenuous and consists of hiking in steep, rugged terrain with potentially unstable slope conditions (ice/snow/pine duff), or in canyons with poison oak, brushy habitat, and biting insects. Weather conditions for the fall and winter can vary with hot, smoky conditions in the fall fire season to winter rain and snowstorms. Participants should feel comfortable driving on icy and snowy roads in 4X4 trucks. Participants will need to feel competent hiking in snowy conditions using snowshoes and microspikes off-trail. Experience with XC or backcountry skiing is a plus. Mariposa, the nearest community, has a large grocery store, hospital, public library, etc. Smaller versions of these facilities are also located in Yosemite Valley. Fresno (~90 miles away) is the nearest large (university) town with a full range of amenities, including Fresno-Yosemite International Airport. Yosemite National Park has almost unlimited hiking, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing opportunities in the winter, and hosts a small ski resort at Badger Pass.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Housing is in shared facilities, either in a dorm, apartment, or house in El Portal. Participants will most likely be sharing kitchen and living space with another individual but may have their own room. Units are furnished with beds, couches, tables, dressers, full bathrooms, range, oven, and refrigerator. If there are household items you cannot live without, you may want to bring them with you. Here are suggestions and recommendations of items you may want to bring with you: Sheets, pillows and bedding for twin size mattress, mattress pad, towels, toiletries, personal computer, variety of warm weather clothing, e.g., rain gear and clothes hangers, laundry basket/hamper, bicycle (not necessary, but nice to have), decorations to make you feel at home, broom, mop, and cleaning supplies, kitchen towels, dish cloths, sponges, plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, pots, pans, utensils, and coffee pot or tea kettle.
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 Yosemite 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!”
