This will be a 1-year term position through the Scientists-in-Parks (SIP) Program. Applications open 9/1/2025 and will close 10/12/2025 OR at 60 applicants.

Link to job posting and application: here

Start dates must be between April 20 and April 30, 2026. More information on the Scientist-in-Parks Program can be found at https://www.scientistsinparks.org/.   

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.

BENEFITS

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $7,395.00 upon successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
• Relocation Allowance of $450.00 (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.

PURPOSE

This Ecology Assistant is an AmeriCorps position. Fire is a key natural process that has shaped the Sky Island at SAGU and remains vital to its health, ecological functioning, and resilience. This landscape contains many fire-adapted and fire-dependent communities—such as dry mixed-conifer forest, ponderosa pine forest, and evergreen woodland—that provide essential habitat for rare, threatened, or endangered species like the Mexican Spotted Owl and Bartram’s Stonecrop. However, large, high-intensity fires in upland communities can have undesired impacts on aquatic systems in the park, including springs, tinajas, and seeps, which support many rare and special status species of plants and wildlife. The ongoing effort to expand the planned area for fire and non-fire fuel treatments targets landscapes that have diverged significantly from their historical and desired fire regime. Managing fire in this complex environment—characterized by high fuel loads, difficult access, rugged terrain, narrow burn windows, and designated Wilderness areas near a major city—requires the best available data and tools. Treatments must achieve desired future conditions for fuels and vegetation while protecting the park’s natural and cultural resources. The products developed through this project will directly support planning and decision-making for fire and fuels management.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The primary goal of this position will be to gather, analyze, and communicate information from various data sources and science-backed tools to support future fire and fuels management in the Rincon Mountains at Saguaro National Park (SAGU). The Southern Arizona Parks Fire Management Group and SAGU Natural Resources staff are working to expand the area actively managed with fire and non-fire fuel treatments. To develop evidence-based management recommendations, the SIP participant will (1) analyze long-term fire effects monitoring data to identify patterns and insights, (2) create a fuel model map using existing vegetation classifications (produced by the Sonoran Desert Network), representative photographs, plant community descriptions, and the current vegetation structure, and (3) use fire behavior modeling tools, including the Interagency Fuel Treatment Decision Support System (IFTDSS), to define a range of ideal conditions (e.g., weather, fuel moisture), adjust burn unit boundaries, determine holding requirements, and assess risks to park resources under different scenarios. This position is a collaboration between the Southern Arizona Fire Management Group, Sonoran Desert Network (SODN), Intermountain Region Fire Ecology Program, and resource management staff at the park. The SIP participant will serve with ecologists, fire managers, and data managers throughout the project and will have the opportunity to learn about multiple program areas within the National Park Service.

KEYWORDS: fire ecology, fire effects, fire/fuels management, statistical analysis, data synthesis

DELIVERABLES

The primary deliverables from this position will be (1) statistical analysis of vegetation and fuel loading response to fire management, presented through charts, graphs, and summary tables, (2) GIS layers and maps depicting fuel models for the fire management area, and (3) summaries of fire behavior modeling results, which may include written summaries, tables, and maps that could be incorporated into burn plans. Additional products synthesizing findings across all tasks could take the form of formal reports, resource briefs, presentations at fire or resource management meetings, and data visualizations (e.g., Simtable demonstrations or StoryMaps). These final products may depend on the SIP participant’s interests, the nature of the results, and the project timeline.

QUALIFICATIONS

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• 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.
• Prior to starting the position, agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for the employer of record, Conservation Legacy, and a separate government security background check for the NPS site location.
• The applicant must be available to participate for 52 Weeks in order to be considered and participate.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The candidates must have experience with statistical methods used to analyze natural resource datasets. Demonstrated experience analyzing trends in vegetation and/or fuel loads is preferred but not required. Working knowledge of R software for data management, analysis, and visualization is preferred. Candidates should also have experience or a strong interest in fire ecology, fire effects, vegetation monitoring, fire management, data interpretation and communication. Basic GIS skills and a familiarity with ArcGIS Pro is preferred. Candidates must also be able to work in an interdisciplinary team environment focused on applying data to management decision processes.

ADDITIONAL POSITION AND COMMUNITY INFORMATION

POSITION SETTING

Most of the projects are performed in an office setting at the Fire Operations office building, which has adequate light, heating, cooling, and ventilation. Occasional field visits may create exposure to a variety of physical settings including extreme climatic conditions and rugged terrain. Summer temperatures can exceed 100F, with mild fall and winter conditions. The primary purpose of the field visits will be to gain understanding of the existing data sets by helping with plot measurements. Field projects are not a primary focus of this position and the ability to conduct field projects will not be a determining factor in selecting the SIP participant. If participating in field projects, applicants will need to hike on trails and off-trail in a wilderness setting and camp overnight for 3-8 days. Sturdy boots are recommended. Backpacks and camping gear will be provided. Many backcountry trips will be supported by packers and mules, but field staff could be asked to carry 25+ pounds of personal or gear in a backpack. Field days are typically 10 hours depending on weather and safety considerations.

VEHICLE AND DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENTS

• Applicant must have a valid driver's license to drive a government vehicle.
• A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

HOUSING

Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant. Fully furnished private room at the Desert Research Learning Center in Tucson, Arizona. Shared kitchen, restrooms, and laundry facilities are on-site, including linens, towels, kitchenware, etc. A maximum of 5 other occupants will be using the shared living facilities. The Desert Research Learning Center is located on the eastern edge of Tucson, a vibrant city with numerous amenities. Shopping is approximately 10 minutes away (driving). Public transportation is not available from the Center, so a personal vehicle is recommended for off hours shopping and recreation.