Job Details

Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps

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 Hawai?i. Environmental changes, 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.

We seek an SIP participant to assist with marine field projects, water quality and aquatic animal monitoring in streams and anchialine pools of national parks in Hawaii. Major duties include: entering data into databases and checking data entry quality against field data sheets, assisting in preparation for fieldwork, participating in two 10-day field sampling trips to Haleakal? National Park and Kalaupapa National Historical Park to collect water samples and survey stream animals, participating in sampling day-trips to four national park units on the Big island of Hawai'i to collect water samples, and assisting in post-field trip equipment maintenance and sample handling. SIP must be scuba certified with over 100 logged dives and preferably a certified member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (Scientific Diving The SIP will be required to pass swim and dive tests in order to earn an NPS blue card. Two diving field trips to Kaloko-Honokohau NHP and Kalaupapa National Historical Park will be required. Boating experience is also preferred but not required. Data entry projects will make up the bulk of time and require standard office and computer-use and the ability to conduct projects independently. Fieldwork requires collaborating and being 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), backcountry camping in remote and isolated conditions with no services, 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, 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 project environment, safely conducting work in a remote and physically challenging backcountry environment, collecting field data in a neat and complete manner, and communicating effectively with supervisors and crewmembers. Scuba diving is required up to five dives per day in varying weather and ocean conditions. Specific tasks include ensuring sampling equipment are handled properly and maintained, participating in daily safety discussions before starting fieldwork, 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.

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 this service experience.

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 host site. The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

Background in marine biology, ecology, biogeochemistry, and/or hydrology. Applicant should demonstrate this knowledge by describing relevant coursework, previous projects experience, and related projects. Ability to maintain a positive attitude in a physically demanding project 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. Applicant must be Scuba Diving certified with over 100 logged dives. Preference given to those with AAUS certification and scientific diving experience. Applicant must be able to pass a medical exam, swim test, and scuba skills test. Boating experience is also a bonus. MOCC certification preferred. Ability to participate 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 conduct projects independently on data entry once trained.

Office location will be within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park located at 4,000 ft elevation in a rainforest. Setting 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. Government vehicle is available once a week for grocery shopping in the main city of Hilo, which is 45 minutes from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Field projects will require travel to other islands as needed. Travel to field sites will be via hiking and require boat travel.

Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle. A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. 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.

This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off 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.

Member will receive pertinent project and site training from host site throughout term. Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps 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.

Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: 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 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: