Biology Assistant AmeriCorps

Position Details

Position (s): 4571

Position Title: Biology Assistant - Ameri Corps

Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements

Site

Location:

Cumberland Piedmont Network and Mammoth Cave National Park, Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, USA

Number of positions available: 1

Duration: 26 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible

Start Date:

Yes

Start Date: 01/18/2027

End Date: 07/16/2027

Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 900 hours — the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

• Segal Ameri Corps 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 one‑time lump sum with first paycheck (pre‑tax)
• Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by My Ameri Corps , directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through My Ameri Corps , directly)

This Biology Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. This role supports parks with scientific data to support sound resource management decisions, benefiting both the Inventory and Monitoring Program and the Science and Natural Resources Program of the National Park Service. Responsibilities include tasks related to monitoring wildlife, vegetation, water quality, and air quality across multiple park units in the South Atlantic Gulf Region.

The participant’s primary responsibility is assisting with field projects related to monitoring the vital signs of cave ecosystems—cave crickets, cave bats, and cave aquatic biota—using established methods and data processing. Field projects involve navigating to caves, entering caves, setting up equipment, and recording data. Data processing involves reviewing and scanning field forms, uploading digital field forms, and analyzing images and videos.

The secondary responsibility is assisting crews with monitoring forest vegetation, ozone foliar injury, and invasive species early detection. This involves navigating to sites, setting up plots, recording data, and reviewing scanned field forms. Opportunities also exist to assist with water quality monitoring; this includes day trips to nearby national parks for grab sample monitoring.

Data values must be recorded accurately and legibly on field data sheets; digital data entry is also used in the field when protocol allows. Data sheets and tablets are returned to the office for processing according to standard operating procedures. Images and other data are accurately processed as described. Regular communication with NPS staff about activities, accomplishments, and challenges is required.

Near the conclusion of the position, the participant will provide a summary of accomplishments and recommendations to NPS staff. Collaboration with other field crew members, network and park staff is essential to advance the NPS inventory and monitoring goals. Maintaining a safe environment while engaging in the project is mandatory.

• 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 Ameri Corps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent before 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 and a separate government security background check for the host site.
• The applicant must be available to participate for the entire 26 weeks to be considered.

Ideal candidates may be students or college graduates with a strong interest in ecology, biology, or related natural resource fields. Experience in cave biology (cave cricket or bat monitoring) and data collection is highly valued. Candidate should be comfortable working in heat, humidity, cold, rain, snow, darkness, exposure to biting insects, and venomous snakes, and be able to undertake long, off‑trail bushwhacking into…