Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps (Approaching 60 Applications)

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Saguaro National Park, Tucson, Arizona

Can this position be fully remote: No

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: No

Start Date: 04/20/2026

End Date: 04/19/2027

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. Fire is a key natural process that has shaped the Sky Island at SAGU and remains vital to its health, ecological functioning, and resilience. This landscape contains many fire-adapted and fire-dependent communities—such as dry mixed-conifer forest, ponderosa pine forest, and evergreen woodland—that provide essential habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species like the Mexican Spotted Owl and Bartram’s Stonecrop. However, large, high-intensity fires in upland communities can have undesired impacts on aquatic systems in the park, including springs, tinajas, and seeps, which support many rare and special status species of plants and wildlife. The ongoing effort to expand the planned area for fire and non-fire fuel treatments targets landscapes that have diverged significantly from their historical and desired fire regime. Managing fire in this complex environment—characterized by high fuel loads, difficult access, rugged terrain, narrow burn windows, and designated Wilderness areas near a major city—requires the best available data and tools. Treatments must achieve desired future conditions for fuels and vegetation while protecting the park’s natural and cultural resources. The products developed through this project will directly support planning and decision-making for fire and fuels management.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The primary goal of this position will be to gather, analyze, and communicate information from various data sources and science-backed tools to support future fire and fuels management in the Rincon Mountains at Saguaro National Park (SAGU). The Southern Arizona Parks Fire Management Group and SAGU Natural Resources staff are working to expand the area actively managed with fire and non-fire fuel treatments. To develop evidence-based management recommendations, the SIP participant will (1) analyze long-term fire effects monitoring data to identify patterns and insights, (2) create a fuel model map using existing vegetation classifications (produced by the Sonoran Desert Network), representative photographs, plant community descriptions, and the current vegetation structure, and (3) use fire behavior modeling tools, including the Interagency Fuel Treatment Decision Support System (IFTDSS), to define a range of ideal conditions (e.g., weather, fuel moisture), adjust burn unit boundaries, determine holding requirements, and assess risks to park resources under different scenarios. This position is a collaboration between the Southern Arizona Fire Management Group, Sonoran Desert Network (SODN), Intermountain Region Fire Ecology Program, and resource management staff at the park. The SIP participant will serve with ecologists, fire managers, and data managers throughout the project and will have the opportunity to learn about multiple program areas within the National Park Service.

KEYWORDS: fire ecology, fire effects, fire/fuels management, statistical analysis, data synthesis

DELIVERABLES

The primary deliverables from this position will be (1) statistical analysis of vegetation and fuel loading response to fire management, presented through charts, graphs, and summary tables, (2) GIS layers and maps depicting fuel models for the fire management area, and (3) summaries of fire behavior modeling results, which may include written summaries, tables, and maps that could be incorporated into burn plans. Additional products synthesizing findings across all tasks could take the form of formal reports, resource briefs, presentations at fire or resource management meetings, and data visualizations (e.g., Simtable demonstrations or StoryMaps). These final products may depend on the SIP participant’s interests, the nature of the results, and the project timeline.

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
The candidates must have experience with statistical methods used to analyze natural resource datasets. Demonstrated experience analyzing trends in vegetation and/or fuel loads is preferred but not required. Working knowledge of R software for data management, analysis, and visualization is preferred. Candidates should also have experience or a strong interest in fire ecology, fire effects, vegetation monitoring, fire management, data interpretation and communication. Basic GIS skills and a familiarity with ArcGIS Pro is preferred. Candidates must also be able to work in an interdisciplinary team environment focused on applying data to management decision processes.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Most of the projects are performed in an office setting at the Fire Operations office building, which has adequate light, heating, cooling, and ventilation. Occasional field visits may create exposure to a variety of physical settings including extreme climatic conditions and rugged terrain. Summer temperatures can exceed 100F, with mild fall and winter conditions. The primary purpose of the field visits will be to gain understanding of the existing data sets by helping with plot measurements. Field projects are not a primary focus of this position and the ability to conduct field projects will not be a determining factor in selecting the SIP participant. If participating in field projects, applicants will need to hike on trails and off-trail in a wilderness setting and camp overnight for 3-8 days. Sturdy boots are recommended. Backpacks and camping gear will be provided. Many backcountry trips will be supported by packers and mules, but field staff could be asked to carry 25+ pounds of personal or gear in a backpack. Field days are typically 10 hours depending on weather and safety considerations.

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. Fully furnished private room at the Desert Research Learning Center in Tucson, Arizona. Shared kitchen, restrooms, and laundry facilities are on-site, including linens, towels, kitchenware, etc. A maximum of 5 other occupants will be using the shared living facilities. The Desert Research Learning Center is located on the eastern edge of Tucson, a vibrant city with numerous amenities. Shopping is approximately 10 minutes away (driving). Public transportation is not available from the Center, so a personal vehicle is recommended for off hours shopping and recreation.

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 Saguaro 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!”