Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Inventory and Monitoring Division, Mississippi National River and Recreation Areas, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, Voyageurs National Park, St. Paul, Minnesota

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: 01/12/2026

End Date: 01/11/2027

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 $700.00 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 participant will be implementing a natural resource protocol to collect data on pollinator occurrence, abundance and variety, including species of conservation concern such as the rusty-patched bumble bee and Karner blue butterfly, and documenting plant-pollinator interactions to help parks make management decisions to support pollinators. This position will assist the Inventory and Monitoring Division (IMD) to meet park natural resource management needs in inventory and monitoring, increase collaboration with partners at the University of Minnesota, and provide support for two IMD inventory projects.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Pollinator Ecology SIP's primary responsibilities will be collecting bee, butterfly, and vegetation data to support inventories at four National Park units (Voyageurs National Park, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway), sorting and pinning specimens, and assisting with other natural resource and database projects with the University of MN Native Bee Lab and National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring Division. They will collect data on pollinator species presence, abundance, variety, and plant-pollinator interactions. The participant will complete training in field protocols, pinning specimens, basic identification (bumble bees and butterflies), and field safety. They will sample for bees and butterflies using lethal and non-lethal methods, document bee and butterfly floral associations, sort and pin specimens, enter and clean data, perform simple data analysis, and compile results. The participant will also assist with ongoing NPS pollinator database projects and collaborate with other projects in the NPS Midwest Region. The participant must be able to serve in outdoor settings, including hiking up to 3-4 miles per day in hot, humid conditions, in wet areas, and sometimes sampling from kayaks or canoes. The serve schedule will typically be M-F from 8:30am – 5pm but may vary during field season. The participant will produce a report, a conference presentation (oral or poster), and other science communication items (e.g., story map, web articles, social media blogs, etc.) as a product of their position. The participant will be expected to present about their project at the Entomological Society of America Meeting in November 2026 in Columbus, Ohio.

KEYWORDS: Pollinators, Bees, Butterflies, Inventory and Monitoring Division, University of Minnesota

DELIVERABLES

The SIP will be required to collect data on pollinators and plant-pollinator interactions, sort and pin specimens, enter and analyze the data collected, and write a report detailing their findings. They will present their findings at a professional entomology conference. The SIP will create story maps, web articles, a Park Science article, a social media blog, or other science communication deliverables as part of their requirements.

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
This position is ideally suited for a recent college graduate with an undergraduate or graduate degree in ecology, entomology, biology, zoology, botany, natural resource management, or related fields with coursework in statistics, entomology, and plant identification. Other levels of education will be considered. Required qualifications include the ability to work with a team, collaborate to solve problems, collect data following protocols, to analyze and translate scientific information, and work in a rugged field setting. Experience working outside during the summer months is a must. Preferred qualifications include experience in bee and/or butterfly identification, native plant identification, statistical analysis, data management, Microsoft software products, and proficiency in R. The selected candidate will be expected to move within commuting distance of the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus by April 30, 2026.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

This position will serve with the Inventory and Monitoring Division within the Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate of the NPS. The position will be based at the Native Bee Lab on the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus and will include a combination of fieldserve, lab serve, and computer serve. Field serve will be conducted in a combination of remote and urban settings, including wetland areas at Voyageurs National Park, islands at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, and restored prairies at Mississippi National River and Recreation Area and St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Some fieldserve will require overnight camping in areas with limited cell phone service. Other fieldserve will be in urban or semi-urban areas. Travel to sites will be via hiking, boat, and vehicle. Weather will likely be hot and sunny, with a mix of rain and thunderstorms. Ticks and mosquitoes are prevalent. There is no free parking at the University of Minnesota although there are locations to park and walk or bike nearby. The Twin Cities has a public transportation system with routes that serve the St. Paul Campus. University vehicles will be used to travel from campus to field sites.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul is a vibrant metropolitan center with a population of around 750,000. There are plenty of grocery stores, restaurants, health clinics and hospitals, pharmacies, shopping, and recreation options throughout the city. There is public transportation (bus, metro, rideshare), and many bike trails and lanes. Minnesota is the land of 10,000 lakes and there are numerous urban lakes with recreational opportunities, such as walking and bike paths, swimming beaches, and kayaks and paddle boards available for rent. The north shore (Lake Superior) is a 3-hour drive north of the Twin Cities and is a great destination for a weekend trip.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant will not need to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is NOT available. The SIP participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area. There are options for shared housing near the University of MN Saint Paul campus. There may be rooms available for rent in nearby homes or apartments, and the SIP participant could coordinate with other seasonal staff or students looking for shared housing. Studio and 1-bedroom apartments in the area cost $1000-$1400/mo. There are social media groups for University of MN students that the SIP participant could use to connect with others who are looking for shared housing. The project supervisor can help scope out shared housing options near campus.

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 Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Inventory and Monitoring Division, Mississippi National River and Recreation Areas, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, Voyageurs National Park 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!”