Biology Assistant (26 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

Position Details Position ID(s): 4571 Position Title: Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements Site Location: Cumberland Piedmont Network and Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA Number of positions available: 1 Terms of Service Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible) Flexible Start Date: Yes Start Date: 01/18/2027 End Date: 07/16/2027 AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours — the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position. Benefits Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $3,697.00 upon successful completion of position (pre‑tax) Weekly Living Allowance: $675.00 per week, fixed rate (pre‑tax) Relocation Allowance: $450.00 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) Purpose This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This role supports parks with scientific data to support sound resource management decisions, benefiting both the Inventory and Monitoring Program and the Science and Natural Resources Program of the National Park Service. Responsibilities include tasks related to monitoring wildlife, vegetation, water quality, and air quality across multiple park units in the South Atlantic Gulf Region. Description of Duties The participant’s primary responsibility is assisting with field projects related to monitoring the vital signs of cave ecosystems—cave crickets, cave bats, and cave aquatic biota—using established methods and data processing. Field projects involve navigating to caves, entering caves, setting up equipment, and recording data. Data processing involves reviewing and scanning field forms, uploading digital field forms, and analyzing images and videos. The secondary responsibility is assisting crews with monitoring forest vegetation, ozone foliar injury, and invasive species early detection. This involves navigating to sites, setting up plots, recording data, and reviewing scanned field forms. Opportunities also exist to assist with water quality monitoring; this includes day trips to nearby national parks for grab sample monitoring. Deliverables Data values must be recorded accurately and legibly on field data sheets; digital data entry is also used in the field when protocol allows. Data sheets and tablets are returned to the office for processing according to standard operating procedures. Images and other data are accurately processed as described. Regular communication with NPS staff about activities, accomplishments, and challenges is required. Near the conclusion of the position, the participant will provide a summary of accomplishments and recommendations to NPS staff. Collaboration with other field crew members, network and park staff is essential to advance the NPS inventory and monitoring goals. Maintaining a safe environment while engaging in the project is mandatory. 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 before 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 and a separate government security background check for the host site. The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 26 weeks to be considered. Preferred Qualifications Ideal candidates may be students or college graduates with a strong interest in ecology, biology, or related natural resource fields. Experience in cave biology (cave cricket or bat monitoring) and data collection is highly valued. Candidate should be comfortable working in heat, humidity, cold, rain, snow, darkness, exposure to biting insects, and venomous snakes, and be able to undertake long, off‑trail bushwhacking into remote caves often after sunset. Strong organizational skills and the ability to collaborate as part of a team and independently are required. Experience with monitoring and identification of plants in the southeastern U.S. is a plus. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, database data entry, ArcGIS Pro, R, RStudio, and Python is helpful. The position may include occasional out‑of‑state overnight travel. Additional Position and Community Information The Cumberland Piedmont Network (CUPN) is stationed at Mammoth Cave National Park (MACA) in rural south‑central Kentucky, home to the longest known cave system in the world. Activities include fishing, canoeing, birding, and hiking. Temperature ranges from the teens to 95 °F with moderate humidity during May to January. The parks are within an approximate 1½‑hour drive from Louisville, KY and Nashville, TN. The project may involve monitoring in 13 other park units across eight southeastern states, requiring occasional overnight travel. Hikes to sites often involve uneven terrain, potential falls, ticks, poison ivy, and venomous snakes. Housing Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Options include a private apartment (potential roommate if limited) or a house with a private room and shared common areas. Tenants should bring personal items such as bedding, toiletries, supplies, and food. Vehicle and Driver’s 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 of program‑specific tools and a range of technology occasionally or frequently. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally is required. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. Time Requirements This position is expected to serve full time each week; exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted toward AmeriCorps service hours. Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of the term. Orientation and Training Member will receive 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. Free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff are available. Evaluation and Reporting Requirements As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated based on completion of required AmeriCorps hours, satisfactory completion of assignments, and meeting other performance criteria communicated at the beginning of the term. Reporting requirements include bi‑weekly timesheets, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid‑term report, and a final report. Equal Opportunity / EEO Statement 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!” #J-18808-Ljbffr