Salt Marsh Monitoring Member – Cape Cod National Seashore
Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Salt Marsh Monitoring Member to contribute to vegetation monitoring projects alongside Cape Cod National Seashore staff.
For the full position description and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/905477.html
Start Date: Ideally June 12, 2023 (flexibility may be available)
Estimated End Date: September 1, 2023 (or 12 weeks from start date)
* A 12-week minimum commitment is required *
Location: The Cape Cod National Seashore is located in Wellfleet, MA.
Cape Cod is a large peninsula extending 60 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Massachusetts. Located on the outer portion of the Cape, Cape Cod National Seashore's 44,600 acres encompass a rich mosaic of marine, estuarine, fresh water, and terrestrial ecosystems. These systems and their associated habitats reflect the Cape's glacial origin, dynamic natural processes, and at least 9,000 years of human activity. Geomorphic shoreline change, ground water fluctuations, tidal dynamics including rising sea level, and atmospheric deposition are among the many physical processes that continue to shape the Seashore's ecosystems. Marine and estuarine systems include beaches, sand spits, tidal flats, salt marshes, and soft-bottom benthos. Freshwater ecosystems include kettle ponds, vernal pools, sphagnum bogs, and swamps. Terrestrial systems include pitch pine and scrub oak forests, heathlands, dunes, and sandplain grasslands. Many of these habitats are globally uncommon and the species that occupy them are correspondingly rare.
For more information regarding the Cape Cod National Seashore, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/index.htm.
Position Overview: The ACE Member will work under the supervision of a biological technician. They will follow instructions and standardized procedures for collecting and managing field data and ensure a high level of quality control of the data collected. The data collection will include, but may not be limited to, vegetation and soil sampling in a variety of salt marsh habitats. The ACE Member will also participate in routine natural resource management activities ongoing at the Seashore. Other activities include basic soil processing and assisting the biological technician with an end-of-season report and recommendations.
This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.
Schedule: The position is Monday-Friday with occasional optional weekend work. Daily work hours vary depending on the tides and project schedule, but are usually 8hrs/day.
Position Benefits
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $300/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
AmeriCorps Education Award Program (EAP) & Loan Forbearance: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $1,718.25 upon successful completion of a complete serve term and 450 hours. AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.
Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.
Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided park housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
Reimbursable Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to a $150.00 reimbursable relocation allowance ($75.00 disbursed at the beginning and $75.00 disbursed at the end of the term). Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
- Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
- Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
- Must have a personal vehicle.
- Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history checks.
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
- ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
- Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, botany, biology, natural resources management, environmental science, or related disciplines.
- Ability to conduct field surveys under demanding weather in rough terrain.
- Ability to use field guides for plant ID.
- Knowledge of the natural history and scientific processes of the Northeastern United States; for example: ecology of marine ecosystems, dune and barrier beach ecosystems, coastal geologic processes, freshwater ecosystems, marine biology.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/905477.html
Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. Please note that external site position postings may be out of date. If a position is still open and accepting applications through the link provided then the position has not yet been filled.
If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Victoria Yee, at vyee@usaconservation.org.
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.