Science Assistant Jobs in Nevada (NOW HIRING)

Description
Position Title: Physical Science Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program; 101 Katzenbach Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.
Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by 08/14/2026 Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Terms of Service:
• Ideal Start Date: 10/19/2026
• End Date: 04/16/2027
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hour, 26 weeks
Purpose:
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 Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program will host a Physical Science Assistant.
The Physical Science Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will participate in monitoring the hydrology and ecology of desert springs across the Mojave Desert Network. Compared to the surrounding desert, spring and wetland environments in the Mojave and Great Basin regions support a greater abundance of plant and animal life. Reliable water sources are scarce, so springs are often vital to the distribution and connectivity of wildlife habitat across the landscape. We monitor water availability, water quality, and site condition at springs to identify threats and detect changes in their condition over time.
This position is primarily focused on field projects, although office projects will also be required. Springs monitoring will be carried out in five national park units: Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Mojave National Preserve, and Parashant National Monument. Field projects can be strenuous and involve long days on steep, rugged, or bouldery terrain. Regular overnight travel and car camping will occur, often in backcountry locations with no amenities. Long drives on highways and unimproved dirt roads are often necessary to get to remote sites.
Description of Duties:

• Collecting hydrological and ecological data at desert springs
• Conducting quality assurance and quality control of data, both in the field and office
• Locating and navigating to field sites using GPS and topo maps
• Hiking long distances off trail over challenging terrain
• Car camping in primitive conditions
• Driving 4WD vehicles on highways and unimproved dirt roads
• Maintaining and disinfecting field vehicles, sampling equipment, and camping gear
• Collaborating with MOJN staff on project planning, protocols, logistics, and safety

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in natural sciences or engineering
• Valid, state-issued driver's license and clean driving record
• Ability to hike up to 10 miles per day for multiple days on steep or uneven terrain in variable weather
• Ability to car camp for multiple days in remote locations with no amenities
• Ability to work independently and as part of a small team to accomplish program goals
• Strong oral and written communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with team members and colleagues
• Strong organizational skills
• Attention to detail and data quality
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• Applicants must be between ages of 18-30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity.
• 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.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site.
  Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience hiking in desert environments
• Experience operating 4WD vehicles

Additional Position and Community Information:
The Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Program (MOJN) is one of 32 regional networks across the country that collect data on specific natural resources-the plants, animals, water, and ecosystems that can indicate the overall ecological health of our national parks. These data are collected for planning, research, and education, and to help guide decisions related to park resource management. For more information, visit our website: https://www.nps.gov/im/mojn/index.htm.
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work 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. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary according to project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hour accumulation.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
  Orientation and Training:
• Member will receive an orientation that includes program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• Training in hydrological and ecological methods, field safety and logistics, and data management and GIS software

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 (pre-tax)
• Living Allowance of $775 per week (pre-tax)
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week (pre-tax)
• Boot Stipend: $150
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

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.
How to Apply:
Find position in table at: https://stewardslegacy.org/open-positions. Open position, review full position description and click apply.
In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.
Supervisor/Mentor Name and Contact Information:

• Service Site Contact information: Jennifer Bailard, Jennifer_Bailard@nps.gov
• Program Contact information: Cassie Sebas, csebas@conservationlegacy.org

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. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.