Conservation Legacy
Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps (Approaching 60 Applications)
Conservation Legacy, Billings Mobile Manor, Vermont, United States
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park, Vermont
Commute: Must be within commuting distance to office location
Number of positions: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible) Flexible Start Date: Yes Start Date: 03/29/2026 End Date: 09/27/2026 AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - minimum hours required
BENEFITS
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of position.
Living Allowance
of $700.00 per week.
Relocation Allowance
of $450.00 (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).
APPLICATION TIMELINE Position will close after receiving 60 applications, or on 11:59 p.m. EDT Sunday, 12 October 2025, whichever occurs first. Review begins after Sunday, 12 October 2025. Preference given to applicants before that date.
PURPOSE This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Birds are critical components of the forested landscapes of NETN parks and are subjected to a variety of stressors within and around parks. Forests in NETN parks are being impacted by overabundant deer, invasive plants and pests with effects that are being exacerbated by rapidly changing environmental conditions and fragmentation. Long‑term monitoring data are crucial for documenting the status and condition of these species in our parks so that threats are recognized and can be addressed in a timely manner. This position directly supports the collection and processing of forest bird data in 9 NETN parks which have been monitored annually since 2006.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES The SIP will work with the Northeast Temperate Inventory and Monitoring Network (NETN), directly assisting with the operations and collection of data related to NETN's landbird monitoring program and will occasionally assist with other programs such as water quality and rocky intertidal monitoring, and natural resource management projects at the local parks.
The SIP will assist NETN with the deployment, maintenance and retrieval of passive acoustic recorders at long‑term monitoring sites and serve with NETN and university partners at Cornell and Dartmouth to process and analyze the sound files and contribute to other project activities. The SIP may also conduct point count surveys of forest birds at our local parks and, if time, participate in coastal bird surveys in Boston Harbor.
In the office, and with guidance from network staff, the SIP will assist primarily with acoustic recorder setup and maintenance, sound file analysis and processing (including annotating and metadata creation of sound files, data summarization and reporting). The SIP will receive training in sound analysis and sound file data management and basic R scripting. The SIP will gain additional exposure and experience with formal protocol and standard operating procedure development, computer‑assisted sound identification, quality assurance and control procedures and tools, and developing communication products such as resource briefs and newsletter articles to highlight findings from analysis of NETN data (topic will be selected based on the SIP’s interests and skills).
KEYWORDS Monitoring, Acoustics, Birds, Data Analysis
DELIVERABLES This position will refine tools and develop products that support data analysis and outreach from long‑term monitoring of bird communities. The SIP will develop a SOP for the acoustic monitoring project, contribute to a final version of a sound file data set through 2026, and review products to support protocol reporting and outreach such as resource briefs, StoryMaps, or newsletters developed from the finalized data.
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 26 weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Attention to detail, ability to problem solve and work independently (when necessary), excellent organizational skills, interest in ecology, field birding experience, bird identification by sound and sight, interest in data science, skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness), strong commitment to safety and NPS operational leadership principles, and comfort and willingness to work in challenging field conditions (hot, humid weather; biting insects; noxious plants). Familiarly and demonstrated field experience related to the ecology of northeastern forest birds and the ability to independently identify most species by sound and sight. Experience deploying acoustic recorders, processing sound files, and using bird sound identification software (RavenPro), and data entry and quality control checking, data handling and analysis coding (R, Python).
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION This position can be based within commuting distance of site in the northeastern states NH, MA or VT or at Marsh‑Billings‑Rockefeller (MABI) located in Woodstock, VT. If located off‑site, the candidate must have a vehicle be able to travel to parks from ME to NJ on occasion. At MABI the selected candidate will sit with the staff of the Northeast Temperate Inventory & Monitoring Network (NETN) which is based on the park’s campus and works routinely with the park resource management and leadership staff and interacts daily with all park staff. Woodstock is an area of great natural beauty alongside the Ottauquechee River in the foothills of the Green Mountains. The park opened for the first time to visitors in 1998 and is the first unit of the National Park System to focus on the theme of conservation history and the changing nature of land stewardship in America. The park includes a 500‑acre forest property on the slopes of Mount Tom where hiking, nature study, and other outdoor activities are popular with visitors. The temperatures are moderate in spring, summer, and fall seasons; winters may be harsh. A variety of local restaurants and groceries are located in the village of Woodstock and within a 10 miles radius of the park.
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 should be able to find options of local shared housing (~$800 per month), renting a room in a house ($800), or living in a small apartment ($1,200 per month) in the Woodstock area.
HOW TO APPLY Apply online 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 or 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. Learn more about Scientists in Parks at https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS 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.
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 toward 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 AND CONSERVATION LEGACY INFORMATION 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 Marsh‑Billings‑Rockefeller National Historical Park, Northeast Temperate Network will host a Ecology Assistant.
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TERMS OF SERVICE Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible) Flexible Start Date: Yes Start Date: 03/29/2026 End Date: 09/27/2026 AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - minimum hours required
BENEFITS
Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
of $3,697.50 upon successful completion of position.
Living Allowance
of $700.00 per week.
Relocation Allowance
of $450.00 (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).
APPLICATION TIMELINE Position will close after receiving 60 applications, or on 11:59 p.m. EDT Sunday, 12 October 2025, whichever occurs first. Review begins after Sunday, 12 October 2025. Preference given to applicants before that date.
PURPOSE This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Birds are critical components of the forested landscapes of NETN parks and are subjected to a variety of stressors within and around parks. Forests in NETN parks are being impacted by overabundant deer, invasive plants and pests with effects that are being exacerbated by rapidly changing environmental conditions and fragmentation. Long‑term monitoring data are crucial for documenting the status and condition of these species in our parks so that threats are recognized and can be addressed in a timely manner. This position directly supports the collection and processing of forest bird data in 9 NETN parks which have been monitored annually since 2006.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES The SIP will work with the Northeast Temperate Inventory and Monitoring Network (NETN), directly assisting with the operations and collection of data related to NETN's landbird monitoring program and will occasionally assist with other programs such as water quality and rocky intertidal monitoring, and natural resource management projects at the local parks.
The SIP will assist NETN with the deployment, maintenance and retrieval of passive acoustic recorders at long‑term monitoring sites and serve with NETN and university partners at Cornell and Dartmouth to process and analyze the sound files and contribute to other project activities. The SIP may also conduct point count surveys of forest birds at our local parks and, if time, participate in coastal bird surveys in Boston Harbor.
In the office, and with guidance from network staff, the SIP will assist primarily with acoustic recorder setup and maintenance, sound file analysis and processing (including annotating and metadata creation of sound files, data summarization and reporting). The SIP will receive training in sound analysis and sound file data management and basic R scripting. The SIP will gain additional exposure and experience with formal protocol and standard operating procedure development, computer‑assisted sound identification, quality assurance and control procedures and tools, and developing communication products such as resource briefs and newsletter articles to highlight findings from analysis of NETN data (topic will be selected based on the SIP’s interests and skills).
KEYWORDS Monitoring, Acoustics, Birds, Data Analysis
DELIVERABLES This position will refine tools and develop products that support data analysis and outreach from long‑term monitoring of bird communities. The SIP will develop a SOP for the acoustic monitoring project, contribute to a final version of a sound file data set through 2026, and review products to support protocol reporting and outreach such as resource briefs, StoryMaps, or newsletters developed from the finalized data.
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 26 weeks in order to be considered and participate.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Attention to detail, ability to problem solve and work independently (when necessary), excellent organizational skills, interest in ecology, field birding experience, bird identification by sound and sight, interest in data science, skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness), strong commitment to safety and NPS operational leadership principles, and comfort and willingness to work in challenging field conditions (hot, humid weather; biting insects; noxious plants). Familiarly and demonstrated field experience related to the ecology of northeastern forest birds and the ability to independently identify most species by sound and sight. Experience deploying acoustic recorders, processing sound files, and using bird sound identification software (RavenPro), and data entry and quality control checking, data handling and analysis coding (R, Python).
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION This position can be based within commuting distance of site in the northeastern states NH, MA or VT or at Marsh‑Billings‑Rockefeller (MABI) located in Woodstock, VT. If located off‑site, the candidate must have a vehicle be able to travel to parks from ME to NJ on occasion. At MABI the selected candidate will sit with the staff of the Northeast Temperate Inventory & Monitoring Network (NETN) which is based on the park’s campus and works routinely with the park resource management and leadership staff and interacts daily with all park staff. Woodstock is an area of great natural beauty alongside the Ottauquechee River in the foothills of the Green Mountains. The park opened for the first time to visitors in 1998 and is the first unit of the National Park System to focus on the theme of conservation history and the changing nature of land stewardship in America. The park includes a 500‑acre forest property on the slopes of Mount Tom where hiking, nature study, and other outdoor activities are popular with visitors. The temperatures are moderate in spring, summer, and fall seasons; winters may be harsh. A variety of local restaurants and groceries are located in the village of Woodstock and within a 10 miles radius of the park.
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 should be able to find options of local shared housing (~$800 per month), renting a room in a house ($800), or living in a small apartment ($1,200 per month) in the Woodstock area.
HOW TO APPLY Apply online 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 or 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. Learn more about Scientists in Parks at https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.
ADDITIONAL DETAILS 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.
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 toward 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 AND CONSERVATION LEGACY INFORMATION 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 Marsh‑Billings‑Rockefeller National Historical Park, Northeast Temperate Network will host a Ecology Assistant.
#J-18808-Ljbffr