Ecological Assistant – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: 103 Headquarters Loop, Moose, WY 83012

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by 9/26/25

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 11/17/2025
• End Date: 5/15/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hour

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 Grand Teton National Park will host a GIS Assistant.

This GIS Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist Vegetation Ecology and Management (VEM) branch with field season GIS data compilation and organization, end of year reporting, and map making for reports and internal park coordination meetings.

Duties will include coordinating with many different internal partners to gather and sometimes collect data, then processing this information and developing a map and/or analysis product that supports natural resource managers in the Park. The individual placement will maintain GIS data collection equipment. Seek field data collection feedback to edit and streamline geodatabases for future field season data collection. Update park livestock grazing infrastructure information by reviewing existing data, collecting data in the field, and compiling accurate grazing data for use in resource management decisions.

Description of Duties:

• Assist Vegetation Ecology and Management (VEM) branch with field season GIS data compilation and organization, end of year reporting, and map making for reports and internal park coordination meetings.
• Duties will include coordinating with many different internal partners to gather and sometimes collect data, then processing this information and developing a map and/or analysis product that supports natural resource managers in the Park.
• Maintain GIS data collection equipment.
• Seek field data collection feedback to edit and streamline geodatabases for future field season data collection.
• Update park livestock grazing infrastructure information, invasive plant data, and/or Whitebark pine by reviewing existing data, collecting data in the field, and compiling accurate data for use in resource management decisions.

Qualifications:

• 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 a National Service Criminal History Check.

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Have a strong working knowledge of ESRI GIS Software products (ArcMap, ArcPro, ArcGIS Online, Collector and Survey 123)
• Good, basic knowledge of the concepts of geography (scale, precision/accuracy, datums and coordinate systems, etc.)
• Basic knowledge of GPS. Some experience in field mapping, differential correction, and downloading GPS data. We use several types of GPS units and software here (Garmin, MobileMapper, and TrimbleGeoXTs and XMs), and will train on any and all of them.
• Basic knowledge of mobile devices and ability to train staff on how to use iOS, Android (Apple iPad and Samsung Tablets) and ESRl’s suite of mobile applications.
• A background in GIS is strongly encouraged, and additionally, experience in resource management, wildlife management, biology or a related field is desirable.

Additional Position and Community Information

• Grand Teton National Park covers 310,000 acres in western Wyoming. The park showcases iconic peaks, but also protects high quality sagebrush steppe valley, high alpine wildflower meadows, and riparian corridors which support some of the most fantastic wildlife habitat in North America. You will live at approximately 6,500 feet elevation, with the Grand Teton reaching 13,000 ft. The town of Jackson is about 20 minutes away, and while busy, hosts a great deal of services. We have an airport, hardware stores, 3 grocery stores, banks, a Target, and auto body shops. Some people drive 2 hours to the larger Idaho Falls for errands on the weekends. The recreational opportunities are boundless, as the crew can often be found camping, floating the river, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, backpacking, and enjoying live music in town.
• It is important to have a personal vehicle. Town and grocery stores are 20+ minute drive from housing, along a highway with temperatures and wind discouraging biking
• Housing is likely a private bedroom with shared kitchen and bathroom. Beds and basic furniture are provided. Individual placement must bring all bedding and kitchenware.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50
• Living Allowance of $700.00 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $260.00 per week.
• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Program Contact information: Sam Rush at srush@conservationlegacy.org
• Service Site Contact information: Molly Murphy, Biologist molly_murphy@nps.gov

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. 

Additional Details

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• This position is expected to serve 40 hours each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
• Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• 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 training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
• $600.00 Professional Development Fund for training and travel.

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.