POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4565
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network, University Park, Pennsylvania
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 01/03/2027
End Date: 01/02/2028
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 7,395.00 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)
- For 52-week positions only:
- Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
- Childcare Coverage (opt in)
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: stream ecology, avian ecology, monitoring, data science
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This project promotes science-based adaptive management of key park resources in a collaborative partnership between park staff and ERMN staff. Each monitoring program provides parks critical data on resource conditions, as well as information on individual species of management concern so parks can mitigate threats and protect park ecosystems. Training and experience in monitoring natural resources will be valuable career development for the SIP.
This project will offer the SIP candidate an excellent opportunity to learn the local bird communities across parks within the Appalachian Mountains, understand threats to park streams, collaborate with ecologists and park natural resource staff, analyze data, and publish results.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) conducts long-term forest, stream, and bird community monitoring as part of the nationwide Inventory and Monitoring Program of the National Park Service. The SIP will have the opportunity to operate in nine Appalachian national parks including New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, and the National Parks of Western Pennsylvania.
The SIP's duties will be split between field projects (~40%) and office projects (~60%). The majority of field projects will include early spring (March and April) sampling of stream benthic macroinvertebrates and early summer (May and June) surveys of forest bird communities. Some fieldoperate in support forest health monitoring will also occur (June-August). Additional field projects occurring throughout the year includes maintaining stream temperature loggers. Preference will be given to candidates who can identify Appalachian forest birds and who have conducted avian point counts previously.
When not conducting field projects, the SIP participant’s duties will be reading and understanding monitoring protocols in advance of field projects, preparing field equipment and field datasheets for use, entering data into databases, reviewing data for quality, generating summary information, and writing reports and publications depending on experience and interest. All these activities will be conducted in close collaboration with ERMN scientists.
The SIP will be expected to projects as part of a small crew hiking to remote locations within each park and occasionally collaborating alone (typically to conduct avian point counts). The SIP must have the ability to hike (with a 40lb pack) off-trail across steep and rugged terrain for upwards of 1-5 miles/day. Spring temperatures during field projects are commonly 40-50F with summer temperatures ranging from 70-90F. Biting insects, ticks, and venomous snakes are part of the effort environment. Bug spray, clothing treatment for ticks, and snake gaiters/chaps will be provided by ERMN. The SIP will be expected to carry their own water and food. Extensive training is required and the SIP will be expected to review the ERMN Job Hazard Analysis for monitoring prior to beginning the field projects.
DELIVERABLES
The primary product is high-quality data collected for multiple ERMN monitoring protocols. When not conducting fieldwork, the SIP's duties will be reading and understanding monitoring protocols in advance of fieldwork, preparing field equipment and field datasheets for use, entering data into databases, reviewing data for quality, and generating summary information. Data analysis and writing publications are strongly encouraged with the extent and complexity depending on experience and interest.
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 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate would be interested in Appalachian avian ecology and enthusiastic about conducting projects outdoors individually and in a team setting. Meticulous data collection skills, a strong job ethic, prior field experience, and a positive attitude are expected. Candidates should enjoy conducting projectsoutdoors doing a variety of tasks in a variety of conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and fog and be able to safely navigate off-trail mountainous terrain. Ideally, candidates will be able to identify the forest birds of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, however this can be taught if candidates are enthusiastic about learning. Applicants should be familiar with navigating in the woods using GPS. A bonus would be demonstrated ability and willingness to analyze data and write scientific publications.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
University Park, PA is the home of The Pennsylvania State University and numerous rental options including apartments, houses, and individuals seeking roommates. The University and adjacent State College, PA offer all the amenities of a college town. Rent for one-bedroom apartments ranges from $1,100-$1,400 per month. Shared housing (room in a house or apartment) ranges from $750-$1,050 per month.
HOUSING
Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
Park housing is available during field projects on a short-term basis, but the SIP will live and serve in University Park, PA with the rest of the NPS Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network (ERMN) staff. Housing is not provided. An office space will be provided on the campus of Pennsylvania State University alongside the ERMN staff.
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 Eastern Rivers and Mountains Network.
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!”
