Scientists In Parks Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

POSITION DETAILS
Position ID(s): 4500
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site Location: Mid-Atlantic Network, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Number of positions available: 1
TERMS OF SERVICE
Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible Start Date: Yes
Start Date: 01/04/2027
End Date: 07/05/2027
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.
BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $ 3,697.00 upon successful completion of position (pre-tax)
• Weekly Living Allowance: $ 675.00 per week, fixed rate (pre-tax)
• Relocation Allowance: $ 450.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck) (pre-tax)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

APPLICATION TIMELINE
Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the application deadline passes. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
KEYWORDS: data management, natural resource monitoring, forest ecology, breeding bird monitoring, stream health
PURPOSE
This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. The participant will contribute to the long-term monitoring of natural resource vital signs through projects involving data management, field data collection and/or GIS. These data are vital for informing management decisions in parks and across the MIDN.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The participant will collaborate with the Mid-Atlantic Inventory and Monitoring Network (MIDN), assisting with a variety of natural resource monitoring projects from 10 National Parks in Virginia and Pennsylvania. This will primarily be an office-based position although there will also be field-based components to the service. The MIDN collects information on a wide variety of natural resource "vital signs" through field observations, data management, analysis, and communication. With guidance from network staff, the participant will assist with MIDN data management workflows including QA/QC procedures, photo point data management, and potentially GIS support. Additionally, the service will include monitoring tasks through field data collection and protocol implementation. The SIP candidate's service will contribute directly with park-based natural resource managers to implement park management tasks. These tasks can include invasive species management, natural resource surveys, and GIS support. There is potential for travel to several MIDN parks to complete service to parks.
DELIVERABLES
Service products will include developing data management workflows, interacting with monitoring data, and supporting park management. Opportunities to focus on products such as AGOL app development (Dashboards, Survey123, etc.) will be possible as well as analytical tasks.
QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 26 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
documentation, and online resources. Reoccurring meetings will be held to allow for collaboration on projects and identify needs of the participant.

Field Skills: Comfort and willingness to complete projects in challenging field conditions (hot/cold, humid weather; biting insects; noxious plants); skills related to successful teamwork (clear communication, situational awareness, reliability, respectfulness); attention to detail; and strong commitment to safety and NPS operational leadership principles.

Data Management: Attention to detail and ability to follow standard procedures. Familiarity with MS Office, Teams, and OneDrive. Skills in R could be useful but not required. Introductory knowledge of geographic information systems; raster and vector data models; creating, editing, and publishing GIS data in ArcGIS Pro and AGOL; conducting a variety of analyses using ArcGIS Spatial Analyst and other extensions.

Ability to operate independently is an important characteristic for all projects associated with this position.
ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION
POSITION SETTING
The Mid-Atlantic Inventory and Monitoring Network is headquartered at the Natural Resource Office at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP. Fredericksburg, Virginia is a town of approximately 30,000 people with a small state college and a large suburban community in the surrounding counties. A personal vehicle is recommended to get to the office and nearby amenities although potentially not necessary with nearby housing where cycling to the project site could be an option (approximately 4-5 miles). A variety of amenities are available within the surrounding communities including grocery stores, restaurants, and shops. The project setting will be primarily office-based tasks in a sedentary environment. Field projects related to monitoring activities during various field seasons will be part of the duties.

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

Park housing is available, typical accommodations include a private bedroom with shared bathroom, kitchen, and common areas.
VEHICLE AND DRIVERS LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

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

OUR COMMITMENT
Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are 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 Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under "Questions? Contact Us!"
TIME REQUIREMENTS

• 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.

ORIENTATION AND TRAINING

• Member will receive pertinent project and site training from the host site throughout the 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.

EVALUATION AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
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, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online, all Scientists in Parks positions are listed at: https://conservation-legacy.breezy.hr/. 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 (5) 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: https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.
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 Scientists in Parks program will host the Ecology Assistant at Mid-Atlantic Network.
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 Scientists in Parks using the email address at the base of the home page, under "Questions? Contact Us!"