Ecology Assistant AmeriCorps

POSITION DETAILS

Position (s): 4339
Position Title: Ecology Assistant - Ameri Corps
Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
Site

Location:

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, Strong City, Kansas
Number of positions available: 1

Duration: 12 Weeks (not flexible)
Flexible

Start Date:

Yes
Start Date: 05/03/2026
End Date: 07/26/2026
Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450 hours - this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve throughout the duration of their position.

• 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)

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.

Resource Management, public health, data analysis, data collection, population dynamics

This Ecology Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. Kansas has four species of ticks that can vector diseases to humans. Tracking these ticks can be challenging due to their lifecycle and activity patterns. In 2024, Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve passive tick surveillance resulted in a new county record for the Gulf Coast Tick. The SIP participant would directly contribute to establishing baseline population distribution and seasonal activity patterns.

Analysis of tick populations would inform population dynamics and their response to management actions in the park. Additionally, the preserve collaborates with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in their service to evaluate risks to public health.

The primary emphasis of this position will be to document tick occurrence to compare species distribution in different management scenarios (e.g., grazed, burned) at Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. The SIP participant’s efforts will be focused on inventory and monitoring of tick species and documenting occurrences in priority areas. The SIP will develop skills and perform activities including:
1) transect drag surveys;
2) tick collection and identification;
3) collaboration with partners and stakeholders;
4) data entries, management, and analysis; and
5) presenting information. The SIP may also have the opportunity to assist with other projects such as bird and butterfly counts, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, trail and facilities maintenance, cultural resource management, and collaboration with volunteers.

At the completion of the position, the SIP participant will have collected, organized, and analyzed data on tick populations and habitat characteristics. The SIP will illustrate the data and present the results of their projects to park staff and partners. Additionally, the SIP will conduct projects with the Interpretation and Education staff to develop at least one interpretive material (sign, brochure, article, video, etc.).

The interpretive material will be used to educate the public on ticks and their impacts by either incorporating it into an interpretive program such as a walk and talk, publishing content on the park’s website and/or social media, or through informational conversation at the park’s visitor center or other tabling events. The SIP may also use a combination of any of these methods to expand outreach.

• 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 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 12 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

Applicants should be undergraduate or graduate student focusing on ecology, biology, wildlife management, environmental science, natural resource management, or related field. It is recommended that applicants have completed basic undergraduate coursework toward a degree. The participant should be able to conduct projects well independently, have strong organizational skills, and the ability to conduct projects with a variety workforce. Experience with data…