Biology Assistant AmeriCorps

Biology Assistant (12 Weeks) – Ameri Corps Position Details

• Position (s): 4487
• Position Title:
  
  Biology Assistant – Ameri Corps
• Conservation Legacy Program:
  Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements
• Site
  
  Location:
  
  Theodore Roosevelt National Park, Medora, North Dakota
• Number of positions available: 1

• Duration: 12 weeks (not flexible)
• Flexible
  
  Start Date:
  
  Yes
• Start Date:
  
  10/05/2026
• End Date: 12/28/2026
• Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 450 hours – the minimum number of hours required

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award: $1,956.00 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 My Ameri Corps , directly)
• Student Loan Interest Payments – if applicable (administered through My Ameri Corps , directly)

Preference is given to applications submitted before Sunday, June 14, 2026. Applications will be reviewed after the deadline. Positions will close after receiving 60 complete applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.

Bison, Genetics, Analysis, Writing

This Biology Assistant is an Ameri Corps position. The project will address a biological science need pertaining to bison genetics, in alignment with the Department of Interior Bison Conservation Initiative and Meta population Strategy. The SIP will explore the assumption that handling order correlates with genetic relationships by comparing and analyzing genetic relationships to the order in which animals were handled during past roundups to inform best practices for removing animals from herds while minimizing genetic loss.

This position will analyze genetic data (microsatellite, 50+ loci) collected from Theodore Roosevelt National Park’s two bison herds to develop an understanding of familial relationships relative to capture and culling operations. The applicant will organize genetic data for imputation to molecular statistical software packages and assess herd genetic variety, relatedness, and isolation by distance measures relative to order of handling during capture events to determine the theoretical and realized effect of varying culling strategies on herd genetics.

The SIP will also assist in THRO’s fall bison roundup to gain insights on the operation central to the research project.

The selected SIP will deliver a written report of competent draft quality, including graphical and tabular output of genetic analyses, clearly explaining materials and methods, providing concise results of analyses, and concluding with a discussion synthesizing past and current literature on bison management and genetics in context of project findings.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• High school diploma or equivalency certificate; or 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.
• Agreement 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 before starting the position.
• Availability to participate for the entire 12 weeks.

Applicants should have a deep interest in wildlife management and ecology, and complete projects well individually and in team environments. Knowledge and skills in data management, statistics, and molecular theory will be beneficial.

Medora, North Dakota is a small, historic town tucked into the Badlands of western North Dakota, with basic amenities including several restaurants, a gas station, and a convenience store. The town of Dickinson, 40 miles to the east, has multiple full‑size grocery stores and all basic amenities. The surrounding landscape is defined by layered rock formations, colorful buttes, and deeply carved…