The Inventory and Monitoring Branch of the National Park Service at Great Smoky
Mountains National Park is seeking two qualified applicants for a three-month
vegetation monitoring internship during the summer of 2025. See the listing
below and follow this link to apply:
https://secure8.entertimeonline.com/ta/conservationlegacy.careers?ShowJob=671620034<https://secure8.entertimeonline.com/ta/conservationlegacy.careers?ShowJob=671620034>
Position Title: Vegetation Monitoring AmeriCorps Individual Placement
Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps
Site Location: Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Address: 1316 Cherokee Orchard Rd., Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Position Available: 2
Housing: Not Provided
Terms of Service: 12 weeks
Start Date: 05/19/25
End Date: 08/07/25
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hr
Position Overview:
Great Smoky Mountains National Park Inventory and Monitoring Branch is
recruiting qualified applicants to assist with fieldwork, data collection, data
management, data entry, and other tasks as needed to be related to several
ongoing and long-term field projects, including forest plot monitoring, stream
surveys for federally endangered rock gnome lichen, and rare plant monitoring.
Fieldwork is labor intensive and requires several crew members to operate
safely and communicate effectively. All data collected will inform park policy,
assist in educating park visitors, and assist park management efforts to make
sound stewardship decisions and protect critical natural resources throughout
the park. The work will also help inform research interests from park partners
and universities.
Data collected during these projects will assist park management efforts to
monitor and protect 1) vegetation communities, including some that are either
globally rare, at-risk, or locally endemic, 2) the federally endangered rock
gnome lichen, and the riverine habitats in which it occurs, and 3) rare plants
and other rare organisms that are at risk from human activity.
Description of Duties:
Inventory of Long-term Vegetation Monitoring Plots
* Collect data with ecologists and biological technicians in 32 long-term
vegetation plots in various forest types throughout the park.
* Collect a wide variety of data including standard forestry measurements,
species inventory, soil samples, photo documentation, and other field data as
needed. Use dichotomous keys to classify plant community and identify unknown
plant species.
* Perform data management, data entry, and data quality assurance checks as
needed on all field data.
Federally endangered Rock Gnome Lichen inventory
* Work with rare plant biologists and bio-technicians to collect data on
rock gnome lichen populations throughout the park. Surveys will be primarily
focused in riverine habitats, but will also include exposed cliff and/or rock
outcrop habitats.
* Collect data on rock gnome lichen abundance, extent, and cover; GPS
point, polygon, and line data; and photo documentation.
* Perform various data management duties, including data entry and quality
assurance checks, hard copy data management and organization, and spatial data
entry and editing.
Rare Plant Monitoring
* Work with biological technicians to perform inventory and monitoring of
rare and/or vulnerable plant populations throughout the park.
* Collect a variety of biological data on rare/sensitive plant populations
throughout the park; Perform GPS mapping and data collection; Utilize iPads and
other mobile devices for data collection.
* Assist with Ginseng monitoring, root processing, and replanting.
* Assist with a variety of rare plant management efforts including
mechanical thinning and fence installation.
* Perform data management, tabular and spatial data entry, and data quality
assurance checks on a variety of field data.
Potential environmental/human risk involved with the above service: Electric
shock, slips, trips and falls in uneven, swift-moving water environments. Bee
stings, venomous snake bites, dead trees and/or branches falling, habituated
Black Bears that show little signs of fear around humans, Carpal Tunnel
Suyndrome, numbness on the legs from prolonged periods of sitting, and paper
cuts.
Qualifications:
* United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent
resident alien
* At least 18 years of age
* Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not
dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps
participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent
before using the education award
* Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a
National Service Criminal History Check.
* Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record
Preferred Qualifications:
* Applicants are pursuing or have completed a degree in ecology, biology,
forestry, environmental science, or other related field.
* Applicants should be self-motivated, highly organized, and able to follow
detailed protocols.
* Preferred knowledge and skills in ecology/botany/forestry, plant ID and
the use of technical keys, vegetation sampling methods, orienteering, and GPS.
* Must be able to hike in mountainous terrain in inclement weather
conditions, carrying a backpack, both on and off-trail.
* High-mileage field days are the norm.
* Good Good-fitting hiking boots and raingear are important items to have
prior to arrival.
* Some overnight backpacking is a requirement. Intern will be a part of a
team that operates safely and always communicates effectively.
Transportation:
A personal vehicle is not required but highly recommended due to limited public
transportation. NPS vehicles will be provided for transportation only for park
capacity. The Individual Placement will be a driver at this park location.
Physical Requirements:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified
individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided
reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may
require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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. Ability to safely drive
an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need
assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during
application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, 40 hours per
week - but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not
be counted towards AmeriCorps service. 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 training on AmeriCorps
prohibited and unallowable activities.
* Training from the park will include:
* Field Navigation and Site Assessment,
* Plot Installation
* Data Collection Methods
* Plant Identification
* Plant Community Classification
* Data management and Databasing
* GSA Fleet Defensive Driving online courses
Benefits:
* Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,956.35
* Living Allowance: $600
* Possible student loan forbearance.
* Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling
or work-life balance specialist.
* Uniform shirts
* Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.)
and exposure to natural resource career paths.
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
* Monthly Accomplishment Report
* Narrative Monthly Report.
* Bi-Monthly Check-Ins
* Midterm and Final Evals
* Exiting Task
Substance Free:
In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited
while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on
organization property.
If you have questions about the position, please contact:
Jon Cox
Biological Science Technician
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
[email protected]
If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
Ray Wilson
Individual Placement Coordinator
Southeast Conservation Corps
[email protected]
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to
hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse
groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability,
gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental
status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion
of the population
Thanks!
Jonathan
Jonathan Cox (he/him)
Biological Science Technician (Wetlands) | Inventory and Monitoring
National Park Service | Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Twin Creeks Science and Education Center
Office: 865-436-1735
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