Ecology Assistant AmeriCorps

Ecology Assistant (52 Weeks) - Ameri Corps

POSITION DETAILS
Position (s): 4402
bPosition Title: Ecology Assistant - Ameri Corps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site

Location:

Inventory and Monitoring Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, Rocky Mountain National Park, Fort Collins, Colorado
Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible

Start Date:

Yes
Start Date: 5/4/2026
End Date: 5/3/2027
Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 1700 hours – minimum number of hours per term

BENEFITS

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award: $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position
• Weekly Living Allowance: $700.00 per week, fixed rate
• Relocation Allowance: $450.00 (one-time lump sum)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by My Ameri Corps )
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through My Ameri Corps )
• For 52-week positions only:
  • Free Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
  • Childcare Coverage (opt in)

APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit before Sunday, February 15, 2026. Positions close after 60 complete applications or at 11:59 p.m. EST on that date, whichever occurs first.

KEYWORDS Pollinators, Botany, Natural Resource Inventory, Rocky Mountain National Park

PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. The Pollinator Ecology Assistant will implement natural resource protocols to collect data on pollinator occurrence, relative abundance, and various species of concern, and document plant‑pollinator interactions to support park management decisions. The assistant will support the Inventory and Assessment Program (I&A) in inventory and monitoring, partner with Colorado State University, communicate science, and assist with additional inventory and database work.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Primary responsibilities include: collecting bumble bee, monarch, and vegetation data (30%); entering and analyzing data (10%); creating science communication products (15%); assisting with NPS pollinator database and data visualization projects (30%); and other tasks (15%). The participant will train in species occurrence, field protocols, identification, and safety, sample pollinators non‑lethally, document floral associations, take photographs, clean and analyze data, conduct independent research on competition between monarchs and milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, and support database projects.

Fieldwork requires hiking up to 4–5 miles/day, exposure to sun, at elevations up to 12,000 ft, schedule M‑F 8:30 am–5 pm.

The participant will produce reports and communication materials (protocols, articles, posters, web articles, videos, etc.) and present at the Entomological Society of America Meeting in November 2026.

DELIVERABLES
Collect data on pollinators and plant interactions, complete an independent research project, upload observations to Bumble Bee Watch, enter and analyze data, photograph pollinators, write a comprehensive report, assist in report writing, present at professional conferences, and create web articles and social media as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

• United States citizen, national, or lawful permanent resident.
• High school diploma or equivalent (or will obtain before using education award).
• Will provide background check information before starting.
• Available for the entire 52 weeks.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Recent college graduates with degrees in ecology, entomology, biology, zoology, botany, natural resource management, computer science, or related fields with coursework in statistics, programming, etc. Must contribute to a team, work independently, follow protocols, analyze data, pay attention to detail, work in rugged field settings, experience outdoors in summer. Preferred experience in bumble bee identification, native plant identification, monarch surveys, statistical analysis, data management & visualization, Microsoft tools, proficiency in R.

Must be available for fieldwork through Sept 30, 2026 and then relocate to Fort Collins for remainder of term, and available Nov 8‑11, 2026 for the meeting. Valid driver’s license required.

POSITION SETTING
Based primarily at the NPS…