Biology Assistant AmeriCorps

Biology Assistant (12 Weeks) - Ameri Corps

POSITION DETAILS
Position (s): 4302
Position Title: Biology Assistant - Ameri Corps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site

Location:

Natchez National Historical Park, Natchez, Mississippi
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible

Start Date:

Yes
Start Date: 05/04/2026
End Date: 07/27/2026
Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS

• 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)

APPLICATION TIMELINE
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.

KEYWORDS: Soil Science, Pollinator Ecology, Weather Variability Monitoring, Horticulture, Cultural Resources, Interpretation

PURPOSE
This Biology Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. This position addresses a critical gap by providing baseline data on soils, plants, pollinators, and stormwater within the Melrose gardens—resources essential to preserving Natchez National Historical Park’s historic landscapes. Currently, NATC lacks systematic monitoring, leaving staff without the data needed to anticipate or respond to threats such as declining soil fertility, invasive pests, erosion, or reduced pollinator activity due to rapid environmental changes.

The SIP participant will fill this need by conducting targeted monitoring during the high-use summer season and producing integrated datasets that connect soil conditions, plant health, species richness, and stormwater management. Results will guide immediate decisions, such as soil amendments, planting strategies, and erosion control, while also supporting FMSS projects orders and long-term planning. Deliverables will strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration by linking science with cultural resource preservation and will produce interpretive products that help visitors understand how ecological health sustains historic gardens.

Designed as a pilot, the project establishes protocols and recommendations that staff and volunteers can continue after the position, ensuring long-term sustainability.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The SIP participant will serve as a Biological Science Assistant – Historic Gardens, supporting Natchez National Historical Park in monitoring and managing the natural resource conditions of the Melrose gardens. The project will generate baseline scientific data essential for long-term preservation while also informing visitor engagement and staff decision-making. Field duties include collecting and analyzing soil samples for pH, compaction, and moisture;

conducting vegetation surveys to document plant vigor, stress, pests, and disease; and performing biological variability monitoring of pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds. The SIP participant will also map stormwater flow and erosion-prone areas using GPS and GIS tools. Duties will be integrated into daily operations under the direct guidance of the Parks Gardener and in collaboration with facilities staff, volunteers, the Facility Manager, and the park’s resource management team, with appropriate safety training and Job Hazard Analyses provided.

Office responsibilities include managing and analyzing field data, preparing charts, tables, GIS layers, and drafting a comprehensive report with findings and management recommendations. The participant will also design a visitor-facing product such as a handout, ranger program, or web article titled “Science in the Gardens,” which…