Ecology Assistant (52 Weeks) - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position ID(s): 4546 Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements Site Location: Northeast Region Office, Hadley, Massachusetts Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible) Flexible Start Date: Yes Start Date: 10/05/2026 End Date: 10/04/2027 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: Fire Management, ecological data, weather, planning, communication

PURPOSE

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will assist in improving wildland fire management planning and decision-making in parks in the Eastern U.S. and parts of the Midwest by helping to deliver fire-focused environment data and information to managers. The outcomes from the effort will help parks achieve management goals and objectives of protecting natural ecosystem integrity and function for the enjoyment of future generations. This will also provide the SIP with experience serving at the interface of science and land management which is important for future operate in the field of fire ecology and management.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The proposed opportunity will provide data and information on future fire-environment conditions to National Park Service (NPS) managers to improve fire management planning and implementation for a number of groups of parks. Data and information products and tools used will be guided by regional fire ecologists and fire planners. The participant will collaborate with the regional staff to determine the most effective way to communicate the resulting information for direct use by practitioners. SIPs will then projects directly with staff at multiple parks to present and discuss various resources and information that can assist managers. Products will be designed to be directly incorporated into park fire management plans, help prioritize and locate strategic fuels treatments, and inform preparedness, response, and recovery decisions in parks.

DELIVERABLES

The primary deliverables from will include fire and weather data compilation and communication and training tools/guides for disseminating fire-weather information to park managers. These products may include presentations, workshops, data visualizations, communication plans, job aids, training classes, reports, and resource briefs.

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

Candidates must have experience in written and oral communication. Candidates must also have the ability to serve in a collaborative team environment where communication between scientists and land managers is the focus. Candidates should have experience with, or a strong interest in, environment information, fire management processes, and ecological effects of fire. The ability to quickly become familiar with multiple types of information systems including databases, GIS, decision support and budget tools, as well as previous collaborate with ecological and/or environment data, are also preferred.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Office space is available at the Regional Fish & Wildlife Service building in Hadley, MA. There are ample trails and outdoor activities in the area. Hadley experiences cold winters and warm, humid summers. Amenities are immediately available and public transportation is good. The incumbent will have opportunities to visit NPS units in the Northeast, such as Acadia NP, Cape Cod National Seashore and Saratoga NHP.

HOUSING

Park housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. Rooms and apartments are available for lease in the vicinity. The average cost of shared housing is $850 - $1250 per month per person. One-bedroom apartments typically range from $1400 - $2400. There are five colleges in the area, so there are ample off-campus options for students and young professionals.

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 the source. 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: the official site. 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 Northeast Region Office. 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 Conservation Legacy