Ecological Assistant

The Ecological Assistant position at HorseShoe Beverage Company involves fieldwork in the Mojave Desert Network, focusing on vegetation monitoring and invasive species management as part of an AmeriCorps program. The role requires hiking long distances, camping in remote areas, and collecting data. Candidates must be 18-30 years old (or up to 35 for veterans) and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. The position is based in Boulder City, NV.
Location Conservation Legacy,Boulder City, NV, 89005,United States Job Category Individual Placement, AmeriCorps Employee Type AmeriCorps Contact information Name Jeff Galvin Email jeff_galvin@nps.gov Description Position Title: Ecological Assistant - AmeriCorps Site Location: Mojave Desert Network Inventory and Monitoring Office Terms of Service • End Date: 7/31/2026 Purpose Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Mojave Desert Network will host four Ecological Assistants. The Ecological Assistant is an AmeriCorps position that will assist with collecting long‑term monitoring data on vegetation communities and target invasive species for the following protocols: Integrated Upland, Spring Vegetation, and Five‑Needle Pine. The Mojave Desert Network (MOJN) is one of 32 Monitoring Networks across the NPS, using information gathered for planning, research, education, and to help guide decisions related to park management. For more information see their website: The field work is dynamic and may be carried out across the MOJN parks (Castle Mountains National Monument, Death Valley National Park, Grand Canyon‑Parashant National Monument, Great Basin National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site, and Mojave National Preserve). This position will require regular travel and camping during the field season to ensure that all monitoring is successfully completed during the field season, and may require long hours including nights, early mornings, and weekends. Description of Duties Assisting with vegetation monitoring protocols designed to address MOJN I&M’s vital signs (training provided). Hiking long distances (10+ mi), on and off trail, over uneven terrain. Hiking with backpacks weighing 30+ pounds. Collecting vegetation data using established procedures. Collecting GPS points and photos at work sites. Conducting quality assurance/ control for all data collected, either in the field or in the office. Collaborating with MOJN staff in field safety, logistics, data QA/QC, and equipment organization/ maintenance. Qualifications Wi llingness to camp for multiple days in front and backcountry settings. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent oral and written communication skills Willingness and ability to temporarily live and work in remote locations. Willingness and ability to work safely and productively in harsh and variable desert conditions, including extreme heat. Willingness and ability to hike long distances (10+ mi), on and off trail, carrying up to 30‑40 pounds of field gear United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident abroad Applicants must be between ages of 18‑30 years old, or up to 35 for veteran, based on Public Land Corps Act of 1993 authorizing this AmeriCorps opportunity. Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy and the host site. At the host site, applicants must pass a criminal background check which requires fingerprinting by Park law enforcement or your local police department prior to start date. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in biology or in one of the major natural sciences; applicants with a background in vegetation monitoring preferred. Experience identifying plants of the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts, including upland and riparian species Experience with data entry and quality assurance using database programs such as MS Access Experience using hand‑held GPS equipment for data collection and navigation, including Survery123 and Field Maps Additional Position and Community Information · The Mojave Desert Network (MOJN) is based at Lake Mead National Recreation Area in Boulder City, Nevada, which is a small town located 30 miles south of Las Vegas, Nevada. Our team includes 8 to 12 people, and we frequently work with park staff at Lake Mead and other parks in our network. Boulder City has a grocery store, hardware store, gym, and a variety of small shops and restaurants. Nearby Henderson has the full suite of amenities, retailers, and entertainment. Outdoor recreation opportunities are abundant throughout the public lands surrounding Las Vegas and include hiking, mountain biking, climbing, birding, and skiing/snowshoeing (weather-dependent). · Housing is not provided for this position. Previous program participants have been able to find rooms to rent in the local area at a reasonable price and we plan to assist them in their search for housing as much as possible. · A personal vehicle is highly RECOMMENDED but not required for this position. Our Commitment Conservation Legacy is 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 the hiring manager. Time Requirements Typically, this position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary according to project needs. Lunch breaks 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. Orientation and Training Member will receive an orientation that includes program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. Member will receive Wilderness First Aid training at the beginning of the position. Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14 (pre‑tax) Living Allowance of $715.00 per week (pre‑tax) Additional Benefit of $185.00 per week (pre‑tax) Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly) Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly) Evaluation and Reporting As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of 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 and accomplishment tracking. How to Apply Find position in table at: https://secure.entertimeonline.com/ta/conservationlegacy.careers?ShowJob=705179968 Open position, review full position description and click apply. In addition to your resume , please submit a one‑page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position. Application Timeline Preference given to applicants who submit applications by 12/05/2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Supervisor/Mentor Name and Contact Information Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary: USD 715 - 900 per week