POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4538
Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Coolidge, Arizona
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 11/09/2026
End Date: 02/01/2027
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: Restoration, Monitoring, Mapping, Propagation, Field projects
PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will aid in the National Park Service’s mission to “preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generation.” The park is collecting GIS data on the spread and treatment of invasive species within its boundary and the effectiveness of control methods conducted; these invasive species threaten the natural and cultural resources found at Casa Grande Ruins National Monument. The participant will help set standards in the data collection and monitoring of future invasive species treatments. The participant will aid restoration of these disturbed areas by collecting native seed and assist in the grow out of many native plants. The participant will contribute vital information and ideas for the site's treatment and restoration initiatives.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This position will support ecological restoration efforts and collect data on projects involving invasive species management in archeological sites. This role will involve establishing and maintaining vegetative test plots to prepare the site for future invasive species treatment methods. The technician will also be a part of collecting native seed for restoration and assist in germinating and propagating plants for restoration and the park's maintained landscape. This position will use GPS and GIS tools to create maps that will document proposed treatment types, site conditions, and plant species found. This position will also help establish a document that will guide future treatment and restoration methods. The participant will not be pulling, removing, or treating invasive species.
DELIVERABLES
At the completion of this position the participant will have collected seed of native plants, aided in the grow outs of native plants, help establish baseline data collection at invasive species treatment sites, recommend treatment methods, and use GIS tools to create maps of treatment sites.
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
The ideal candidate will have an interest in careers biology, restoration, and natural resource management. Candidates must have the ability to complete projects outdoors in a variety of weather conditions while carrying equipment (up to 30lbs) and performing repetitive tasks that involve hiking, stooping, and crouching. Candidates with experience in plant identification, plant care, GIS/GPS tools and software, and field activities will be preferred. Candidates with creativity, attention to detail, a problem-solving mindset, a commitment to safety, and the ability to collaborate with others are strongly preferred.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
Casa Grande Ruins National Monument is within Coolidge, Arizona. The Monument is 472 acres with preserved natural landscapes and archeological sites. The natural and ethnographic resources the participant will be collaborating with and around include Creosote, Mesquite, Globemallow, Burrowing Owls, Coyotes, and Bats.
The project environment will be both in-office and in the field.
The job will include moderate physical activity including hiking, stooping, bending, and carrying 30+lbs in backpacks.
Basic amenities (grocery stores, banks, gas, etc) can all be found within a few miles as the site resides within the town limits of Coolidge, AZ. Coolidge, AZ is about 30-40 min away from the Phoenix Metropolitan Area, where even more amenities can be found.
Weather at this time of the year ranges from average November highs of 80°F to January lows at 40°F.
Health Hazards:
Although it is winter, field activities can still pose hazards like dehydration and sun exposure.
This position will revolve around collaborating with and around plants with thorns, spines, and chemical irritants.
A portion of this position will be collaborating with the invasive species Stinknet (Oncosiphon piluliferum). collaborating with Stinknet can cause allergic reactions like skin irritations, rashes, and respiratory issues.
HOUSING
Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
Park housing will be provided at no cost to the participant. Park housing features a private room with shared common areas, full kitchen, shared bathroom, with furniture provided. Participant will need to bring their own linens, towels, cleaning supplies, and toiletries. There is a laundry facility on site, detergents or other consumables are not provided by the park.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
- Applicant will not need 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 Casa Grande Ruins 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!”
