Wildlife Biologist Assistant – AmeriCorps (1 opening)

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

Site Location: Red Rock Ranger District (8375 State Route 79, Sedona, AZ 86351)

Term of Service:

• Start Date: 4/20/2026 (anticipated)
• End Date: 10/16/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Red Rock Ranger District as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for Coconino National Forest.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. 

Coconino National Forest:

The Coconino National Forest consists of three Ranger Districts covering approximately 1.8 million acres, with elevations ranging from 2,600 feet to the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet (Humphrey's Peak). The Forest is located in Northern Arizona and is characterized by a broad plateau of ponderosa pine known as the Mogollon Rim, bordered on the south by many rocky canyons that transition to the Upper Sonoran Desert of the Verde Valley.

Red Rock Ranger District:

The Red Rock Ranger District is situated in the Verde Valley, and its “red rock country” is world-renowned for its dramatic red sandstone scenery. At its heart is the city of Sedona, which attracts millions of visitors each year. The district receives half of the annual forest visitation (over 2 million visitors each year) and has many volunteers and partners involved in day-to-day management. The local communities of Central and Northern Arizona have strong ties to this special landscape, and the wider community of Phoenix and beyond have a deep appreciation for red rock country which offers an idyllic recreational experience amongst one of the most beautiful regions of the state.

The Red Rock Ranger District is home to a complex and ecologically varied ecosystem, including extensive riparian areas that host a wide variety of species. The Wildlife, Fish, and Rare Plants Program (WFRP) staff are responsible for conducting wildlife inventories, monitoring habitats, and planning and implementing habitat restoration projects. Staff lead the review of the wide range of District recreation, fuels, and land management planning projects for compliance with environmental laws and regulations, recommending mitigations and/or best management practices to ensure compliance and minimize or avoid potential impacts to endangered, threatened, and sensitive species. This requires skills to effectively communicate and coordinate across disciplines and resource areas within the District, the Forest, and with partners. The Intern will provide critical capacity to assist with field data collection, monitoring efforts, habitat improvement projects, and data organization that directly support the District’s planning for, and implementation, of high priority projects.

Description of Duties:

The Wildlife Biologist Assistant (intern) will contribute to the collection, organization, and analysis of wildlife and habitat data used to inform land management decisions, including programmatic environmental analysis intended to streamline the review and delivery of recreation projects funded by fee dollars. Expected products include completed wildlife surveys and habitat assessments; updated GIS maps and spatial data; summarized monitoring reports; and documentation supporting environmental compliance and habitat improvement projects. The intern may also assist in preparing brief technical summaries that support wildlife management planning.  

The intern will contribute to monitoring and improving wildlife habitat conditions across multiple project areas, potentially benefiting hundreds of acres of forest and riparian habitat and supporting the long-term health of endangered, threatened and sensitive species and at-risk ecosystems. This work supports conservation and restoration of at-risk ecosystems by improving the quality and quantity of data used to guide habitat management and protection efforts. Field monitoring and habitat assessments help identify degraded areas, inform restoration priorities, and evaluate the effectiveness of habitat improvement treatments.

The intern will be integrated with the broader District team which includes Range Specialists, Hydrologists, Archaeologists, Fire and Fuels Specialists, Recreation Managers, Interpretive Specialists, and GIS experts. They will interact and collaborate with these specialists and subject matter experts on a day-to-day basis exposing them to a variety of backgrounds and mission focus. At the beginning of the internship, and throughout, the supervisor will discuss professional development opportunities and identify opportunities to cross-train, job shadow, seek mentorship, and gain new experience.  They will also have opportunities to work alongside professionals from other state and federal agencies, providing exposure to a variety of agency roles and career trajectories.

Within the wildlife biology track, the intern will gain hands-on experience working with a wide range of taxa, including small mammals, birds, carnivores, big game, fish, amphibians, and reptiles, offering comprehensive exposure that enhances field competency, ecological understanding, and overall career readiness within the wildlife profession. Through mentoring and hands-on experience, the intern will develop a foundational understanding of how wildlife habitat management is incorporated into larger land management and conservation decisions.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Assist with field-based inventories, monitoring, and habitat assessments for wildlife species to support land management planning, project implementation, and conservation efforts.
• Conduct wildlife surveys and habitat assessments, collect data on species presence, habitat conditions, nesting status, vegetation characteristics, and environmental factors affecting species health.
• Calibrate, operate, and maintain field equipment (e.g., GPS units, cameras, survey instruments) and ensure data quality through established procedures.
• Assist with habitat improvement or restoration projects (e.g., fencing, watershed development, vegetation treatments) and document project implementation and effectiveness.
• Support wildlife program data organization, analysis, and reporting to inform management plans, environmental assessments, and biological analysis.
• Enter, verify, tabulate, and summarize wildlife and habitat data using computer databases and associated software; assist with GIS mapping and spatial analyses.
• Compile and summarize field methods, data collected, and project evaluations for use in program management plans and documentation.
• Participate in planning efforts and contribute ideas to improve data collection methods, study procedures, and overall project efficiency.
• Assist with coordination, logistical planning, and communication efforts.
• Support project coordination including scheduling fieldwork, preparing equipment and supplies, maintaining materials and supplies inventory, and assisting with purchasing and budget tracking.
• Assist with communication and interpretive programs related to wildlife and habitat stewardship.
• Collaborate with other resource areas (fire, range, archeology, recreation, engineering, watershed) to help ensure wildlife needs are incorporated into project planning.

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 prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Demonstrate professionalism, both in demeanor and appearance.
• Valid driver’s license (must be over 21 OR have had license for 3 years if under 21).
• The ideal candidate will be a highly motivated self-starter with excellent communication and organizational skills, able to quickly become a well-functioning member of a dynamic team.
• The intern may interact with members of the public and should have the ability to represent self and the Agency professionally in these situations.
• The ideal candidate will be pursuing, or have recently completed, a degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field. Demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary natural resource work and managing public lands for multiple uses.
• Ability to work safely and effectively in rugged terrain, remote settings, and hot desert environments, both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to orient oneself in the field using compass, GPS unit, road maps, topographic maps, and/or aerial photos.
• Attention to detail when recording and managing data will be critical; should have strong technical writing skills and ability to synthesize field data into clear summaries or reports.
• Candidate should be proficient with Microsoft Office products (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional knowledge of the basic principles, concepts, and methodology of wildlife biology as would typically be acquired in a bachelor's degree program to perform trainee level duties.
• Familiarity with wildlife survey techniques (e.g., bird surveys, small mammal trapping, camera traps, vegetation sampling) preferred but not required.
• Exposure to federal land management planning processes such as NEPA or ESA through coursework, internships, or field experience.
• Experience using GPS units and proficiency with GIS software (e.g., ArcGIS Pro) for mapping and spatial data management.
• Experience with data management, quality control procedures, and basic statistical analysis (e.g., Excel, R, or similar programs).

Physical Requirements:

This position involves moderate to strenuous physical activity, including walking long distances over uneven, rocky, wet, or steep terrain, bending, crouching, lifting, carrying equipment, and working in variable weather conditions. Exposure to extreme heat, dehydration, uneven terrain, off-trail hiking, wildlife encounters, monsoon storms/flash flooding, use of hand tools, and remote work environments.

Potential risks associated with fieldwork in remote locations, including limited cell service. All activities will be conducted following Forest Service safety protocols and under appropriate supervision.

Conservation Legacy is committed to 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 50 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 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 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 Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 with successful completion of position.
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.

• Additional Benefit of $175 per week.
• Public Lands Corps Certificate*
• Healthcare Coverage provided by The Corps Network and Cigna.
• Childcare Coverage.
• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

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.

Supervisor Name:

This position reports to Kayla Long, Wildlife Biologist with Coconino National Forest.

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://azcorps.org/ip-positions.

If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org. 

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.