Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Cape Cod National Seashore, Wellfleet, Massachusetts

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 01/05/2026

End Date: 01/04/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Relocation Allowance of $450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).
  • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly).
• For 52-week-long positions only:
  • Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
  • Childcare Coverage (opt in)

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 60 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 12 October, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 12 October, 2025. Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, 12 October, 2025.

PURPOSE

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The CACO Natural Resource Assistant serving on the Herring River project is a critical team member for maintaining and continuing several long-term data sets that are integral the management of the project. Data collection prrograms include synoptic and continuous water quality, water level, groundwater elevations, and floodplain elevatons. These are conducted year-round and require consistent staffing to to ensure data quality and contininuity. The SIP SIP participant provides coverage through all seasons and fill gaps when seasonal and other staff are not available. The programs also require significant data management to ensure data are sufficent for public release, which is essential for a restoration project subject to intense public interest and oversight.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The main duties will be assisting with coastal wetland ecology monitoring projects associated with the Herring River Restoration Project focused on water quality and ecosystem monitoring and will include serving in the field, lab, and on computers. A rough breakdown of the SIP participant’s time is 40% field, 30% lab, 20% data entry/management and 10% other duties as assigned. The duties are critical to baseline, pre-restoration monitoring of the Herring River system and planning for a large and complex project to restore tidal flow to the former estuary.

Similar projects in other estuarine systems can also be expected.

The SIP participant will serve as part of a team with other SIP participants, volunteers, technicians, and the Restoration Ecologist, along with a project team comprised of non-NPS government and NGO partners.

Duties and projects include:

-- Monitoring and research activities in the field as well as processing and analyzing samples in the laboratory.

-- Involvement in both the field and lab for the Herring River monitoring program and other natural resource projects and applied research to inform salt marsh restoration and coastal management.

-- Perform laboratory analysis and written documentation of field sampling.

-- Perform routine maintenance, data acquisition, troubleshooting, and data management for automated/continuous samplers and data loggers.

-- Collect and process wetland sediment samples; use field GPS and other survey equipment to acquire three dimensional survey data.

-- Use GIS for spatial data processing/management, data analysis, and basic map preparation.

-- Gain experience in a range of coastal environments, on various monitoring to management-oriented projects, with a range of field and laboratory methods and equipment.

-- Science communication activities to promote coastal wetland stewardship and science literacy.

KEYWORDS: Coastal Resiliency, Blue Carbon, Cape Cod, Saltmarsh Restoration, Coastal Wetlands, Data analysis, saltmarsh ecology, estuarine water chemistry

DELIVERABLES

Products:

-- Field data and results of lab analyses (chlorophyll, color, grain size, etc.);

-- Geospatial data sets and mapping products;

-- Completion reports based on these tasks;

-- Presentations of findings to CACO staff and agency/community partners;

-- Poster or paper presentation(s) to a local conference(s);

-- Opportunity to develop and implement a special project that advances the SIP participantr's academic/professional interests and conforms with program goals.

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 NPS site location.
• The applicant must be available to participate for 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants for the position must hold or be pursuing a minimum of a master's degree and/or have equivalent experience in subject areas such as ecology, marine biology, botany, wildlife sciences, biology, coastal geology, natural resources management, environmental science, or related disciplines.

Qualifications Required:

-- Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident

-- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely in English, both verbally and in writing

-- Must be able to complete tasks well independently and on a team

-- Ability to use field guides and dichotomous keys for plant and animal ID

-- Physically able to conduct field surveys under demanding weather in rough terrain and in water

-- Must know how to swim

-- Must have a valid driver's license, provide documentation of a clean driving record, and have a personal vehicle

-- Must have a demonstrated interest in coastal wetland ecology and a respect for nature

-- Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required

-- Proficiency in English is required

Qualifications Preferred:

-- Experience in water level and water quality monitoring and instrumentation

-- Experience in field and laboratory analysis of water and coastal sediments

-- Knowledge of marine vegetation and invertebrates

-- Previous experience with non-motorized watercraft for scientific purposes

-- Experience with GPS and GIS for spatial data acquisition, analysis, and presentation

-- Knowledge of the natural history and scientific processes of the Northeastern United States; for example: ecology

of marine and estuarine ecosystems, coastal geology

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Cape Cod is a large peninsula extending 60 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Massachusetts. Located on the outer portion of the Cape, Cape Cod National Seashore's 44,600 acres encompass a rich mosaic of marine, estuarine, fresh water, and terrestrial ecosystems. These systems and their associated habitats reflect the Cape's glacial origin, dynamic natural processes, and at least 9,000 years of human activity. Geomorphic shoreline change, ground water fluctuations, tidal dynamics including rising sea level, and atmospheric deposition are among the many physical processes that continue to shape the Seashore's ecosystems. Marine and estuarine systems include beaches, sand spits, tidal flats, salt marshes, and soft-bottom benthos. Freshwater ecosystems include kettle ponds, vernal pools, sphagnum bogs, and swamps. Terrestrial systems include pitch pine and scrub oak forests, heathlands, dunes, and sandplain grasslands. Many of these habitats are globally uncommon and the species that occupy them are correspondingly rare. Cape Cod is a relatively mild coastal environment with summer season between May and September. Winter weatherbrings storms, winds and freezing temperatures with little snow accumulation in the long term. Beaches, ponds and hiking trails abound. Supermarkets and laundrymats are in Provincetown (8 milesfrom the Lab) and Orleans (20 miles). Local amenities include many restaurants and small specialty markets. Nearest Mall stores are in Hyannis. The summer tourist season brings activity from Memorial Day to Labor Day and constrasts markedly from the quiet winter season.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. CACO SIP participant housing is typically a shared 5-bedroom furnished house with shared or unshared bedroom. Residents bring their own linens. Depending on housing capacity SIP participants may also be placed in smaller 2 to 4-bedroom houses. Kitchens are furnished with basics. Housing is within a few miles of our primary project site. Housing can have up to 8 residents who are also SIP participants, seasonal employees, or research technicians. Residents are responsible for cleaning and trash. Electricty, heat, and water are covered by the park. SIP participantet/cable/phone are not provided.

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 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 email 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/.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. 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, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks 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

• Orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Pertinent training from the NPS site location throughout the term of service.
• Free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of 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 and accomplishment tracking.

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 Cape Cod National Seashore will host a Ecology Assistant.

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 a 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!”