Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

September 5, 2025

NPS AmeriCorps Internship: Biology Assistant in Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

PURPOSE

This Biology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. SIP participants on this project will collect and analyze data on the status and trends of plant communities within National Park Service units across the Pacific Islands. They will assist with improving data quality and developing efficiencies in data management steps and ultimately contribute to science communication through data summaries, data visuals, and science communication to visitors, local communities, and natural resource managers to help guide scientifically informed management decisions. For example, this information is especially important to understand how highly endemic, native-dominated plant communities are changing from stressors (e.g. environmental changes, invasive species, expanding populations of established non-native plants) and responding to management actions (e.g. invasive species control).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Pacific Island Inventory and Monitoring Network (PACN) is recruiting a SIP participant to assist with data science duties for vegetation monitoring conducted within the national parks of the Pacific Islands. Major duties include 1) preparing, summarizing, and analyzing vegetation datasets with a focus on assessing plant community status and trends, 2) documenting data science steps and procedures via R programming language including promotion of reproducible results by storing, testing, and executing all procedures from within an R package environment, 3) Opportunistically assisting with vegetation monitoring field projects, data entry, and data quality control when appropriate. Important responsibilities of this position include ensuring a respectful environment, safely conducting service in a remote and physically challenging backcountry environment, documenting service activities in a neat and complete manner, and communicating effectively with supervisor, mentors, and crewmembers.

POSITION DETAILS

Position Title: Biology Assistant – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Pacific Island Network, Hawaii National Park, Hawaii

Can this position be fully remote: No – Must be within commuting distance to office location.

Number of positions available: 1

TERMS OF SERVICE

Duration: 52 Weeks (not flexible)

Flexible Start Date: Yes

Start Date: 01/12/2026

End Date: 01/11/2027

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1700 hours – this is the minimum number of hours the selected candidate must serve.

BENEFITS

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
  • Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
  • Relocation Allowance of $1,100.00 (distributed as a one-time lump sum with first paycheck)
  • Student Loan Forbearance if applicable (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly).
    • Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly).
  • For 52-week-long positions only:
    • Healthcare Coverage (opt in)
    • Childcare Coverage (opt in)

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The position will close after receiving 60 applications, or at 11:59 p.m. EDT on Sunday, 12 October, 2025, whichever occurs first. The review of applications will begin after Sunday, 12 October, 2025. Preference given to applicants who submit applications before Sunday, 12 October, 2025.

For more information and how to apply, see here.