Ecology Assistant AmeriCorps

Position Details

Position (s): 4520

Position Title: Ecology Assistant - Ameri Corps

Conservation Legacy Program: Scientists in Parks, Stewards Individual Placements

Site

Location:

University of Rhode Island Bay Campus or Gateway National Recreation Area

Number of positions available: 1

Duration: 52 weeks (not flexible)

Flexible

Start Date:

Yes

Start Date: 11/02/2026

End Date: 11/01/2027

Ameri Corps Slot Classification: 1700 hours - minimum number of hours to serve

• Segal Ameri Corps Education Award: $7,395.00 upon successful completion (pre‑tax)
• Weekly Living Allowance: $775.00 per week (pre‑tax)
• Relocation Allowance: $450.00 one‑time lump sum (pre‑tax)
• Student Loan Forbearance: if applicable (administered by My Ameri Corps )
• Student Loan Interest Payments: if applicable (administered through My Ameri Corps )
• For 52‑week positions only:
  • Free Healthcare Coverage (opt‑in)
  • Childcare Coverage (opt‑in)

Coastal marshes in national parks are important natural, cultural, and recreational resources that provide essential ecosystem services and socio‑economic benefits, including protection from flooding, erosion, and storm surge; carbon sequestration; and habitat for important fish and wildlife species. However, human impacts have resulted in the loss of more than half of salt marsh habitat in the United States. Restoration and monitoring efforts are critical to understanding marsh condition, tracking change over time, and guiding effective management.

Data collected through this project will help evaluate restoration outcomes and support informed decision‑making across parks in the region.

This project also supports clear communication about the value of salt marshes and the actions the NPS is taking to conserve and manage these ecosystems.

Salt marshes in national parks have been degraded by past human activities (e.g., ditching) and face ongoing threats from erosion and water level change. To address this, the NPS is implementing marsh resilience and restoration projects across Northeast region parks. This position will support these efforts through pre‑ and post‑restoration monitoring and related activities across the region. Data collected will establish baseline conditions, evaluate restoration outcomes, and inform future management.

This position includes a mix of field projects and office‑based projects. Field projects focus on conducting salt marsh monitoring (e.g., mapping, elevation, vegetation, hydrology, and photo plots) at Assateague Island National Seashore, Gateway National Recreation Area, Fire Island National Seashore, and Colonial National Historical Park. Travel of up to approximately 5 weeks is required, primarily between July and September.

Office duties include supporting field logistics and project planning; managing and organizing data (including basic analysis); and contributing to communication and outreach related to marsh resilience and restoration.

In addition to salt marsh projects, the position will support a range of coastal natural resource activities, which may include bird and wildlife surveys, coastal restoration and stewardship activities, invasive species management, habitat assessments, and other field or monitoring efforts as needed.

• Conduct pre‑ and post‑restoration salt marsh monitoring following established protocols (e.g., vegetation, elevation, hydrology, and photo points) at multiple Northeast Region national parks. Support field planning and logistics and coordinate with park staff and partners.
• Collect, manage, and document field data, including maintaining datasets; conducting QA/QC; and supporting spatial data management and mapping in ArcGIS Pro and ArcGIS Online. Perform basic data analysis.
• Support communication and outreach related to marsh resilience and restoration. This may include data dashboards, web articles, presentations, etc.
• Contribute to additional monitoring or research efforts, as needed.
• Specific products may vary based on individual skills and coordination with park staff, researchers, and partners.

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Has…