Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Pacific Island Network, Hawai’i National Park, Hawaii

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 $1,100.00 (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. This project will help natural resource managers understand the condition of water quality and aquatic ecosystems within six national parks. It provides valuable information including detection of changes occurring in aquatic ecosystems, identification of potential problems in early stages, and an ability to measure quality of aquatic ecosystem management practices. Invasive animal species are a major threat to natural resources in Hawaiʻi. Rapidly shifting ecosystems, land-use, and humans have direct impacts on water quality and the health of aquatic ecosystems. To design appropriate resource management actions park managers need current reliable data on ecosystem status and trends, which this project provides.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

We seek an SIP participant to assist with water quality and aquatic animal monitoring in streams, anchialine pools, and near nearshore marine environments of national parks in Hawaii. The SIP participant will gather data per established protocols, follow sound data management, disseminate routine data summaries, and communicate our science across six freshwater and marine protocols. Major duties include: entering data into databases and checking data entry quality against field data sheets, assisting in preparation for fieldwork, participating in one 3-day field sampling trip to Haleakalā National Park on Maui, day trips to national parks on the Island of Hawaii, possibly a 14 day trip to Guam, to collect water samples and survey animals, and assisting in post-field trip equipment maintenance and sample handling. Data entry will make up the bulk of time and require standard office and computer-use and the ability to work independently. Data entry may include coral identification in photos. Field projects will require up to 10 hours per day in a group under the supervision of a crew leader, working in a wide array of physically demanding environmental conditions (including high heat, direct sun, heavy rain, dense vegetation, and sharp rocks), hiking up to 10 miles per day including steep slopes while carrying heavy backpacks of up to 50 lbs,

snorkeling in streams to observe benthic invertebrates, and following established safety and behavior rules, ensuring sensitive scientific equipment is handled correctly, and ensuring data are collected and recorded following established standard methods. Important responsibilities of this position include following the directions of supervisors and crew leaders, ensuring a respectful, professional environment, safely conducting projects in a remote and physically challenging backcountry environment, collecting field data in a neat and complete manner, and communicating effectively with supervisors and crewmembers. Specific tasks include ensuring sampling equipment are handled properly and maintained, participating in daily safety discussions before starting field projects, backcountry hiking on-trail and off-trail to pre-determined sites using maps and GPS, operating manual filtering equipment, sondes, and other devices, and ensuring data is accurate, properly stored, and backed-up upon return from the field. Once trained, the

individual may be asked to complete sampling independently or assist other staff with regular monitoring and data entry. A summary report detailing field effort, preliminary findings, maps of surveyed areas, and discussion of methods will be completed at the end of the position and presented to the park staff, partners, and the scientific community.

KEYWORDS: Water Quality, Data Management, Fieldwork, Invertebrates

DELIVERABLES

Deliverables that are part of a group effort include databases containing water quality and stream animal monitoring data, site photos and environmental data describing the sampling unit. Deliverables managed by the SIP participant include a summary document detailing the field effort, discussion of methods, maps of surveyed areas, and preliminary findings on topic of choice related to the aquatic monitoring data collected, and a blog article, story map, or poster of ~500 words highlighting the projects.

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
Background in biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or hydrology. Applicant should demonstrate this knowledge by describing relevant coursework, previous work experience, and related projects. Ability to maintain a positive attitude in a physically demanding work environment (hiking and sampling aquatic ecosystems in heat, rain, etc.). Ability to hike with 50 lbs. up to 10 miles/day including significant elevation changes. Ability to work effectively in teams of 3-6 people. Interest in water quality or aquatic ecology. Interest in data management and analysis. Ability to swim and be comfortable working in and around water is necessary for this position. Applicant may be asked to drive up to 5 hours per day in a government vehicle to field sites on island. Applicant will be required to hike up to 10 miles/day with up to 50lb backpack to remote field sites. Applicant must be able work independently on data entry once trained.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Office location will be within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park located at 4,000 ft elevation in a rainforest. The weather is cool and rainy. Small general stores are located within the national park and in the surrounding Volcano Village. Public transportation is extremely limited. Bikes are available for SIP participant use daily. A government vehicle is available once a week for grocery shopping in the main city of Hilo, 45 minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Field projects may require travel to other islands as needed. Travel to field sites will be via hiking predominately but may require occasional boat travel.

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.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Housing within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is available. SIP participants typically share a house with other SIP participants. Shared housing with full kitchen is available inside the national park. It is walking distance to our office and numerous trails. Small general stores are available, and government vehicle can be used once a week for grocery shopping in the main city of Hilo, 45 minutes away.

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 Pacific Island Network 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!”