Graduate Assistantship in Environmental Microbiology

The Graduate Assistantship in Environmental Microbiology at Rangeland, Wildlife & Fisheries Management involves supporting the Tallgrass Prairie Center in Iowa. AmeriCorps members will work on environmental conservation, mass communications, and natural areas management. Responsibilities include managing communication strategies, completing performance metrics, and participating in training. Candidates must be at least 17 years old and have a valid ID. The position is not remote and requires in-person participation.
Host Site Overview: The Tallgrass Prairie Center (TPC) at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) in Cedar Falls, Iowa would like to host two eleven-month AmeriCorps members to help us expand our impact and manage the natural areas entrusted to us. We are looking for members who are passionate about environmental conservation and also want to apply and/or expand their skills in 1) mass communications, marketing, and networking or 2) natural areas management. Each position will offer AmeriCorps members professional development opportunities.

The Tallgrass Prairie Center is a nationally recognized center for ecological restoration of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. Our mission is empowering people to value and restore resilient, diverse tallgrass prairie. We conduct research and provide technical support for roadside vegetation managers, farmers, conservation professionals, and native seed stakeholders. We are also responsible for the restoration and management of Irvine Prairie, a nearly 300-acre prairie-in-progress in Benton County, and 64 acres of university grounds near the TPC encompassing prairie, woodland, and native seed production plots. In early 2021, the TPC was given responsibility for management and promotion of the UNI Biology Preserves.

Site Supervisors: Kristine Nemec, Roadside Program Manager, and Laura Jackson, Director

Minimum Member Qualifications:

● At minimum members must be high school graduates, GED recipients, or working on attaining a high school diploma or GED during their term of service

● Be 17 years or older (no upper age limit)

● Have a valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo identification

Position Outline: All of our programs have substantial, concrete impacts on the landscape, but we need more capacity to tell our story — not only through traditional print media, but also through digital media, such as website (CMS is Drupal) and social media, and interpersonal interactions at conferences, events, and visitor tours. You will support the implementation of these communications strategies.

Member Duties:

· Complete Green Iowa AmeriCorps performance metrics in collaboration with host site

· Maintain records of service projects in Green Iowa AmeriCorps Reporting Logs

· Submit Quarterly Reports of activities

· Maintain a detailed timekeeping record of service hours and activities

· Complete a Professional Development Project

· Participate in mandatory AmeriCorps Trainings (Orientation and Life After AmeriCorps Training) and National Days of Service (MLK Day and September 11)

General Orientation to TPC and associated programs

● Study TPC website and publications, and shadow program managers to learn about TPC programs, projects, partners, and history.

● Participate in weekly staff meetings and monthly Biology Preserves Committee meetings

● Visit and become familiar with TPC grounds, campus preserves, Irvine Prairie, and community natural areas

● Pursue relevant training for your position, especially safety training

Education and Outreach for Iowa Roadside Management (Lead Role)

● Create content for social media outlets (Facebook and Instagram)

● Capture media (photo and video) to be used for outreach through social media, the website, or handouts

● Curate photos, write educational text, and design the annual 12-month roadside program calendar that is distributed for public outreach (an InDesign template is available)

● Organize volunteers and distribute bags of native seed at the annual county seed pick-up that is typically held in May or June

● Table at workshops or conferences that may be held to build community support for the Tallgrass Prairie Center and county roadside programs; some overnight travel to conferences or workshops within Iowa may be possible (up to 10 nights total over the length of the position)

Education and Outreach for other TPC programs (Lead Role)

● Support TPC project managers in communications, programming and events

● Develop and curate educational activities to be used by TPC staff, students, volunteers, and AmeriCorps members

● With guidance from TPC staff, prioritize and respond to requests for prairie-related education/outreach programs (e.g. tours, presentations, displays)

Other Duties (Supporting Role)

● Support AmeriCorps volunteer coordinator in natural areas management events that may include brush removal, seed collection, and prescribed burns

● Augment Plant Materials Program, in coordination with Plant Materials Program manager and Supervisor, as schedule allows

● Additional related duties as they arise or assigned by Supervisor in coordination with TPC program managers

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

● Interest in ecosystem restoration

● Strong writing skills

● Strong marketing skills

● Small-team collaboration skills

● Strong interpersonal communication skills

● Attention to detail

● Strong record-keeping and reporting skills

● Organized

● Self-motivated

● Punctual

● Accountable

● Passion for helping environmental causes

● Experience with Iowa plant identification or conservation fieldwork

● Comfortable interacting with a variety of people from different backgrounds and age groups

● Comfort serving independently in rural and office environments

● Experience with social media platforms (Instagram and Facebook)

● Experience with manipulating video

● Experience with digital photography

● Knowledge of Microsoft, Adobe, and G - Suite apps, including Google Calendars, Google Documents

Members can expect to gain the following skills/experiences in this position:

● Experience coordinating with natural resource professionals at a nationally recognized center

● Experience creating social media posts

● Experience organizing volunteers, largely in coordination with the Volunteer Coordinator, Natural Resources Management position

● Experience implementing tours and educational activities at public outreach events

● Experience using InDesign to create outreach materials

This is an AmeriCorps service position

Term Commitment: October 1, 2025–August 31, 2026

Anticipated service schedule for this host site is 8:00/9:00 a.m. – 3:00/4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday or 8:00/9:00 a.m. – 2:00/3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with some nights and weekends as projects required.

Living Allowances are distributed evenly in monthly installments by the University of Northern Iowa over the course of the service term and pro-rated for months where members are not serving the full month. Please note this is considered taxable income and the monthly installments will vary depending on how you fill out your tax information.

Flexible time off is available throughout the term of service, however members are responsible for ensuring they complete the required minimum number of service hours by the end of the service term. The weekly service commitment of 27-30 hours per week helps provide some flexibility in the member’s schedule for vacation and sick time.

Outside employment and school attendance is allowable during off hours.

Program Benefits: Monthly living stipend distributed by UNI, Segal Education Award upon successful completion, AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program (MAP), Federal loan deferment qualification, Public Service Loan Forgiveness Qualification, and interest accrual repayment, training and certifications, individualized professional development opportunities and funding. Members may also be eligible to qualify for childcare assistance through the program - contact program staff for more details.

To apply

On the Green Iowa AmeriCorps website (https://www.greeniowaamericorps.org/open-positions), click Apply Here, complete an 11-month position application, and select Tallgrass Prairie Center as a host site.