Ecology Assistant (52 Weeks) – AmeriCorps

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Conservation Legacy
United States
  • Research
  • FlexTime
  • FullTime
  • Applications have closed

POSITION DETAILS

Position ID(s): 4549

Position Title: Ecology Assistant – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Chihuahuan Desert Network, Sonoran Desert Network, Southern Plains Network, Las Cruces, New Mexico

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: Ecology, field projects, fun, Southwest, Botany, inventory, monitoring, camping, survey, ecological monitoring, vegetation, riparian systems, aquatic resources, soils, wildlife, water quality, water quantity, springs, groundwater, field sampling, GIS/GPS, database programs, plant identification, data entry, research, science communication, data science, hiking

PURPOSE

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The assistant will support national parks in the Chihuahuan Desert, the Sonoran Desert, and the Southern Plains, collecting data on a variety of ecological indicators, including vegetation, aquatic resources, soils, and wildlife. These data are used by park managers to assess, plan, and develop natural resource protection activities and is essential for understanding the status and trends of park ecosystems, and for informing management decisions. This would help to make the data more attainable for park managers, researchers, and the public, and to raise awareness of the importance of ecological monitoring and conservation. Overall, the effort and data we collect and manage is analyzed and conveyed to park managers, providing them with the scientific information on resource condition that they need to make decisions and take actions to conserve park resources. The gathered information is vital for assessing the health, variety, and resilience of park ecosystems.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will operate across the Chihuahuan Desert, Sonoran Desert, and Southern Plains Inventory and Monitoring Networks. This position is essential for completing and reporting on long-term ecological monitoring in National Parks throughout the Southwest. The assistant will have the opportunity to projects both independently and collaboratively as part of a field crew, in varied environments, and across up to 29 National Park units.

This role offers unique opportunities to explore and learn about the resources of the Sonoran and Chihuahuan Deserts and Southern Plains ecoregions. The incumbent will gain valuable field sampling experience, familiarize themselves with critical data management protocols, and may engage in science communication. The assistant will contribute to sampling long-term vegetation monitoring plots in both upland and riparian systems, as well as aquatic resources, soils, channel morphology, and potentially wildlife. Responsibilities will include revisiting previously established sites and establishing new permanent sampling plots.

DELIVERABLES

The assistant will be responsible for collecting detailed data on vegetation, exotic plants, and soil characteristics from monitoring sites across several parks. They will assist with gathering information on water quality, quantity, groundwater depth, and riparian vegetation in areas with critical water resources. In addition, the assistant will support data processing and analysis efforts.

We also encourage assistants to develop an independent research project. We will provide time, materials, and guidance for this focused initiative. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to contribute to the completion of various communications, such as web articles, field trip reports, briefs, social media posts, and long-term reporting, each offering multiple potential final products.

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

Applicants must have completed at least three years toward an undergraduate degree in natural resources, botany, ecology, or a related field. Applicants must have an interest in and ability to conduct projects in a rural, mountainous, high desert locations; must be physically able to conduct projects in rugged terrain and extreme temperatures; ability to conduct field projects in arduous backcountry situations (heavy backpack, tent camping, off-trail; wilderness); must have an ability to conduct projects well independently and with little supervision; must demonstrate skills and abilities to conduct scientific research and produce summary documents from this research; and must possess good computer and organizational skills. Plant taxonomy, botany, and vegetation field measurement experience and/or coursework is desired. Skills with webpage management, creating social media or similar online content, visual media, and other forms of science communication would be ideal.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

The incumbent will position throughout the Chihuahuan Desert (CHDN; https://www.nps.gov/im/chdn/), the Sonoran Desert (SODN; https://www.nps.gov/im/sodn/) and Southern Plains (SOPN; https://home.nps.gov/im/sopn/) Inventory and Monitoring Networks. Position setting will be approximately 75% in the field and 25% in the office. The position will be located at CHDN Field Office in Las Cruces, NM, which will be the primary office environment, with frequent week-long trips to multiple network parks and offices.

CHDN encompasses seven parks in the desert and mountain landscapes of west Texas and southeastern New Mexico. The Chihuahuan Desert is shared by two nations and is the most biologically varied desert in the Western Hemisphere. SODN serves 11 different parks in Arizona and New Mexico. Straddling the Sonoran Desert and Apache Highlands ecoregions, network parks range from low-elevation desert scrub to high-elevation conifer forests atop the major mountain ranges or “sky islands” of the American Southwest. SOPN encompasses 11 parks across the immense grassland landscapes of southeastern Colorado, central Kansas, northeastern New Mexico, most of Oklahoma, and a large swath of Texas.

Las Cruces is the second largest city in NM and part of the greater Las Cruces and El Paso, TX metropolitan areas. The area offers a unique blend of the natural beauty of the Chihuahuan desert, warm weather, vibrant culture, and a reasonable cost of living. Las Cruces community is rooted in Spanish, Mexican and Western influences, which can be tasted in its Southwestern cuisine and experienced through their rich culture. The city is surrounded by majestic mountain ranges, captivating scenery, and ample opportunities to explore the Chihuahuan Desert flora and fauna. Discover a rugged landscape, historic buildings and towns, National Parks and public land, Old West history, and a large variety of festive events.

weather in this area can range from 29-100 degrees and can experience intermittent snow and rain conditions. Summer temperatures for each network can exceed 100F, can range from dry to humid, and a frequented by monsoons and thunderstorms. Off-trail hiking in rough (and exceptionally beautiful) remote terrain will be common. Winter temperatures are mild, with valley bottoms typically free of frost, while surrounding mountains may have dense snow cover at high elevations and north and east aspects. More information regarding weather in these three parks can be viewed here: http://www.climateanalyzer.org… housing is NOT available. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.

Many housing options are available in Las Cruces, NM and the surrounding communities. Apartment rentals can range from $350-$1500+ a month in Las Cruces with the average for a 900sq ft. apartment being ~$825.

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 Chihuahuan Desert Network, Sonoran Desert Network, Southern Plains 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!”

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