Ecology Assistant AmeriCorps

Ecology Assistant (12 Weeks) - Ameri Corps

• Ecology Assistant (12 Weeks) - Ameri Corps

Position (s): 4411, 4412

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - Ameri Corps

Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements

Site

Location:

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Upper Columbia Basin Network, Bend, Oregon

Number of positions available: 2

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible

Start Date:

No

Start Date: 5/18/2026

End Date: 8/10/2026

Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award: $ 1,956.35 upon successful completion of position
• Weekly Living Allowance: $ 700.00 per week, fixed rate
• Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by My Ameri Corps , directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through My Ameri Corps , directly)

Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the Final date to receive applications passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications
, or at 11:59 p.m. EST on February 15, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Vegetation monitoring, botany, plant identification, forest health, forest pathology

This Ecology Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. This position will help inform landscape-wide management decisions within National Park Service sites through the integration of long-term monitoring of ecological vital signs, collection and preparation of native plant materials, and effectiveness monitoring of fuels reduction projects in forests and sagebrush steppe ecosystems managed by the National Park Service. Management needs include reducing fire severity through fuels reduction, managing pests and pathogens in forests, and identifying intact native vegetation and infestations of noxious weeds.

Additionally, the cultural significance of UCBN parks is integrated into our program, which monitors sagebrush steppe associated vegetation communities that are important food sources to the people indigenous to the Columbia Plateau and Snake River Plain, like camas lily and pinyon pine. SIP participants will participate in the integration of cultural and natural resource projects. SIP participants will collaborate closely with citizen scientists, Oregon State University, United States Forest Service, Native American Tribes, state, and individual park partners during their time in the field.

The Upper Columbia Basin Inventory and Monitoring Network (UCBN) monitors ecological vital signs in nine National Park Service units between the Rocky Mountains and Cascade Mountains. UCBN is based in Bend, OR at the Human and Ecosystem Resiliency and Sustainability (HERS) Lab, a research institution at Oregon State University Cascades, that delivers expertise in ecological assessment and monitoring, restoration, and native plant materials to support evidence-based conservation.

UCBN in hiring 2 Scientists in the Park participants to primarily assist with long-term monitoring of sagebrush-steppe associated vegetation communities, in addition to participating in effectiveness monitoring of wildfire fuels reduction projects, collection and preparation of native plant materials, and restoration planting within park units. Vegetation monitoring projects will include sagebrush steppe monitoring, aspen monitoring, limber pine monitoring, Lemhi penstemon monitoring, and camas monitoring.

Position Duties:

• 80-90% Conduct Field Surveys:
  Assisting with vegetation monitoring protocols designed to address UCBN’s vegetation vital signs (training provided). Confidently and consistently identifying grasses, forbs, shrubs, and trees by sight and using a dichotomous key. Hiking long distances (up to 12 mi), on and off trail, over very rugged terrain. Hiking with packs weighing 30+ pounds. Collecting vegetation data using tablets and hand‑held GPS units.
  
  Working independently and collaboratively with a team.
• 5-10% Native Plant Materials Projects:
  Seed collection and seed cleaning. Greenhouse maintenance including plant propagation, watering, and pest management. Field activities including planting for seed increase and restoration projects.
• 5-10% Data Management and
  
  Summary:
  
  Compiling, entering, and reviewing field data records, ensuring accuracy and completeness. Developing technical identification resources for field data collection. Inventorying and maintaining field gear. Collaborating with UCBN staff to complete protocol reviews.

Participants will collect detailed and accurate vegetation monitoring data following several different protocols, accurately enter field data into digital databases, participate in daily safety briefings and discussions,…