Scientists in Parks
Ecology Assistant (Stream and Wetland Monitoring) - AmeriCorps (Approaching 60 A
Scientists in Parks, Fort Collins, Colorado, us, 80523
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title:
Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program:
Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location:
Rocky Mountain Network, Fort Collins, Colorado
Can this position be fully remote : No - Must be within commuting distance to office location.
Number of positions available : 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration : 52 Weeks
(not flexible)
Flexible Start Date : Yes
Start Date : 04/27/2026
End Date : 04/26/2027
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 NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division and ROMN aim to provide long-term ecological monitoring data and information for a suite of "vital signs" to park managers to assist them in preserving park streams wetlands, and alpine areas unimpaired for the enjoyment of current and future generations. This position will help park resource managers get better access to the data and visualizations they need to make more informed management decisions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This SIP participant will serve with data managers, ecologists, field crew members, and park staff in the Rocky Mountain Network (ROMN) of the Inventory & Monitoring Division, supporting 6 associated national park units in Colorado and Montana. The person selected will contribute to projects that help parks get timely access to data for science-based decision making and help to focus stream and wetland monitoring on the highest priority needs for park management and planning. The projects include updating workflows and protocols for collecting, managing, and visualizing data in dashboards to improve natural resource managers' access to timely information. The SIP participant will engage with experts in wetland and streams ecology to ensure monitoring is rigorous and relevant to management needs. The SIP SIP participant may also have the opportunity to join the ROMN field crew to perform long-term monitoring of streams and wetlands at network parks.
KEYWORDS : wetlands, streams, natural resource monitoring, R, data science, data visualization
DELIVERABLES
-Updated monitoring protocols and recommendations to better meet park's management needs
-Visualizations to share status of priority indicators
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 -Experience in stream or wetland ecology, or a degree in one of these fields.
-Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing long-term ecological monitoring data would also be helpful.
-General knowledge of data management concepts and practices.
-Programming skills in R and experience using RStudio and GitHub.
-Experience using Microsoft Access and other relational databases.
-Experience using multiple parameter sondes, temperature loggers, or groundwater depth loggers and working with data collected by these instruments.
-Experience measuring stream flow and collecting water samples.
-Skills in creating, editing, and publishing GIS data in ArcGIS Pro and AGOL.
-Solid written and oral communication skills and the ability to be detail-oriented and well organized are a must.
-Skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness) and building successful relationships with colleagues.
-Comfort and willingness to serve in challenging field conditions (e.g., cold to hot weather, rough terrain, biting insects, etc.) and office environments.
-Strong commitment to safety.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The position will primarily occur in an office environment in Fort Collins, CO or can be teleservice within commiting distance to the office location. There may be an opportunity to assist with some field projects in network parks (Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, and Glacier National Park). A personal vehicle is recommended for commuting to the office, to capitalize on local amenities, and exploring the abundant recreation opportunities surrounding the network office.
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 NOT available. The SIP participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
The SIP participant will need to find their own housing in the Fort Collins area. Fort Collins is a small city with a population ~170,000 people and all of the typical amenities. Rooms for rent in a shared house are around $700-1100/month and 1-bedroom apartments are $1400+/month.
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 Rocky Mountain 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!"
Position Title:
Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program:
Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location:
Rocky Mountain Network, Fort Collins, Colorado
Can this position be fully remote : No - Must be within commuting distance to office location.
Number of positions available : 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration : 52 Weeks
(not flexible)
Flexible Start Date : Yes
Start Date : 04/27/2026
End Date : 04/26/2027
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 NPS Inventory and Monitoring Division and ROMN aim to provide long-term ecological monitoring data and information for a suite of "vital signs" to park managers to assist them in preserving park streams wetlands, and alpine areas unimpaired for the enjoyment of current and future generations. This position will help park resource managers get better access to the data and visualizations they need to make more informed management decisions.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
This SIP participant will serve with data managers, ecologists, field crew members, and park staff in the Rocky Mountain Network (ROMN) of the Inventory & Monitoring Division, supporting 6 associated national park units in Colorado and Montana. The person selected will contribute to projects that help parks get timely access to data for science-based decision making and help to focus stream and wetland monitoring on the highest priority needs for park management and planning. The projects include updating workflows and protocols for collecting, managing, and visualizing data in dashboards to improve natural resource managers' access to timely information. The SIP participant will engage with experts in wetland and streams ecology to ensure monitoring is rigorous and relevant to management needs. The SIP SIP participant may also have the opportunity to join the ROMN field crew to perform long-term monitoring of streams and wetlands at network parks.
KEYWORDS : wetlands, streams, natural resource monitoring, R, data science, data visualization
DELIVERABLES
-Updated monitoring protocols and recommendations to better meet park's management needs
-Visualizations to share status of priority indicators
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 -Experience in stream or wetland ecology, or a degree in one of these fields.
-Experience collecting, managing, and analyzing long-term ecological monitoring data would also be helpful.
-General knowledge of data management concepts and practices.
-Programming skills in R and experience using RStudio and GitHub.
-Experience using Microsoft Access and other relational databases.
-Experience using multiple parameter sondes, temperature loggers, or groundwater depth loggers and working with data collected by these instruments.
-Experience measuring stream flow and collecting water samples.
-Skills in creating, editing, and publishing GIS data in ArcGIS Pro and AGOL.
-Solid written and oral communication skills and the ability to be detail-oriented and well organized are a must.
-Skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness) and building successful relationships with colleagues.
-Comfort and willingness to serve in challenging field conditions (e.g., cold to hot weather, rough terrain, biting insects, etc.) and office environments.
-Strong commitment to safety.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The position will primarily occur in an office environment in Fort Collins, CO or can be teleservice within commiting distance to the office location. There may be an opportunity to assist with some field projects in network parks (Rocky Mountain National Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, and Glacier National Park). A personal vehicle is recommended for commuting to the office, to capitalize on local amenities, and exploring the abundant recreation opportunities surrounding the network office.
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 NOT available. The SIP participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area.
The SIP participant will need to find their own housing in the Fort Collins area. Fort Collins is a small city with a population ~170,000 people and all of the typical amenities. Rooms for rent in a shared house are around $700-1100/month and 1-bedroom apartments are $1400+/month.
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 Rocky Mountain 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!"