Biology Assistant (20 Weeks) - AmeriCorps, Hatteras

Biology Assistant - AmeriCorps Conservation Legacy Program

This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. This position will support the conservation and management of resources, primarily horses, sea turtles and shorebirds in Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Daily care and maintenance tasks at the pony pens site will contribute to the long-term health of the horses and the longevity of the facilities at the pens. Due to the effects of sea level rise, more frequent and severe storms, and shoreline erosion, the Seashore has experienced numerous impacts to wildlife habitat. Marine debris also impacts the ability and safety of nesting wildlife, and its identification and removal are critical to support these threatened and endangered species and their habitats.This position will perform routine tasks common to natural resource management at Cape Hatteras National Seashore. The participant will perform primarily routine functions supporting the Ocracoke horse herd including horse feeding and care, and stall, grounds, and fence maintenance among other duties. The participant will also have the opportunity to assist with marine debris identification and removal, cold stunned sea turtle surveys, migratory shorebird surveys and shoreline mapping surveys. The participant will collect and organize field data and ensure adequate quality control of the data collected. The participant may install, operate, and maintain resource management equipment (e.g., tools, fencing, and trucks). The participant will learn barrier island ecology and barrier island geological processes. The desired outcome for the position is to develop independent, self-motivated, task orientated, safety minded participant who significantly contribute to the natural resource program.Successful candidates should have some coursework in university level biology, ecology, wildlife management, geology, and/or other related natural resource science coursework preferable at the junior or senior level. Candidates should be comfortable around horses and able to meet the physical demands of the job - position requires bending, walking, digging, and carrying supplies up to 50lbs in soft sand. Safety and skills training will be provided. Ability to spend long hours in the field under hot, humid, shade-less, and windy conditions, patience, and ability to live amicably in field housing with other staff is desired.Cape Hatteras National Seashore is located along the easternmost barrier islands of North Carolina, the Outer Banks. The Seashore protects long stretches of beach, sand dunes, marshes, and woodlands along three dynamic districts: Bodie, Hatteras Island, and Ocracoke Island. Beach and sound can be reached ramps, campgrounds, nature trails, and lighthouses can be explored across the more than 75 miles of public lands. Outer Banks' weather is notoriously unpredictable and can change quickly. The area experiences thunderstorms, high winds, rain, high heat, extreme cold, tornados or waterspouts, and hurricanes. Summers are hot and humid, and the heat index can frequently exceed 100°F. The communities in the Outer Banks offer grocery stores, hardware stores, gift shops, and restaurants. The closest hospital is located north of the Seashore in Nags Head, NC.Physical project environment: Position is primarily performed outdoors, and field activities requires frequently arduous physical exertion such as walking or hiking over wet, uneven, or loose surfaces while carrying tools and equipment; bending; crouching, stooping, lifting, digging or reaching to complete tasks. Outdoor projects primarily occurs in hot and humid weather conditions.Park housing is available with the option to not utilize park housing. The participant will be responsible for finding housing in the nearby area if they opt out of utilizing park housing. Park housing is available if needed at no cost to the participant. If the selected candidate is from the local area and does not need housing, a higher stipend will be provided. Shared house - private room, shared kitchen (shared pots, pans, dishes available), shared bathroom and washer/dryer. selected candidate will need to bring bedding (sheets, pillows, etc.).Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle. A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position. Stewards Individual Placements and Conservation Legacy are committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to Scientists in Parks.This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary based on project needs. Lunch breaks and days off will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours. Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.Member will receive pertinent project and site training from the host site throughout the term. Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Access to free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff. As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of minimum AmeriCorps hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets, monthly accomplishment tracking, a mid-term report, and a final report.