Grand Canyon National Park - Biological Science Technician

Title: Grand Canyon National Park - Biological Science Technician

Dates:   08/26/2024 - 11/15/2024

Stipend: $600 weekly living stipend with $35 weekly housing allowance

Term: 12 weeks, full time

Reports To: National Park Service, Grand Canyon National Park

Location: 17 South Entrance Road, Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Status: 450 hour AmeriCorps service term

Housing:  NPS park housing available

Open Positions: 2 

Benefits:  Segal education award of $1,824.07 upon successful completion of service term. . Interns will be provided on site trainings in work requirements, navigating USA Jobs, Park Service job shadowing, and much more!

Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps’ (ALCC) Mission

Our vision is to lead our Nations back to ecological and cultural well-being by engaging underrepresented Indigenous youth and young adults in conservation service programs that reconnect participants to the land, their cultural heritage, and their traditions. We work to remove barriers to participation, education, and employment by partnering with local community organizations, agencies, and institutes of higher learning to create paid service and career training opportunities, personal and professional development, and pathways to postsecondary education and employment.  Native Americans are encouraged 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 eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

National Park Service Mission:

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Grand Canyon National Park Purpose:

• Preserve and protect Grand Canyon's unique geologic, paleontological, and other natural and cultural features for the benefit and enjoyment of the visiting public.
• Provide the public opportunity to experience Grand Canyon's outstanding natural and cultural features, including natural quiet and exceptional scenic vistas. 
• Protect and interpret Grand Canyon's extraordinary scientific and natural values.

Grand Canyon National Park Vegetation Program - The purpose and mission of the Vegetation Program is to understand, preserve, and restore the park's plant communities and serve as a model for resource management. To promote ecological restoration, the program acts to stabilize degraded sites, control invasive non-native plant species, and restore late seral communities. Ecological restoration efforts are supported by the program's high-capacity, energy-efficient greenhouse. Other program focus areas include endangered species monitoring and recovery, hazard tree management, and engaging the public in citizen science.

Grand Canyon National Park - Biological Science Technician Overview:

Individual Placements will work with Grand Canyon National Park Vegetation Program staff to support habitat restoration activities (i.e., native seed collection, greenhouse plant propagation, invasive plant control, planting, vegetation monitoring, etc.) and rare plant species surveys. The interns may also assist our Interpretation & Resource Education Division with public education activities.

 
The Biological Technician interns will assist with sentry milk-vetch (federally listed endangered plant) surveys and potentially identify previously undocumented populations. They will also job shadow NPS Biologists, Biological Science Technicians, Interpreters, and Resource Educators. 

Essential functions and responsibilities:

1) Habitat Restoration

• Assist with native seed collection, greenhouse plant propagation, invasive plant control, planting, vegetation monitoring, etc.

2) Rare Plant Species Surveys

• Conduct sentry milk-vetch (federally listed endangered plant) surveys on the North Rim. Survey modeled moderately high and highly suitable sentry milk-vetch habitat. Surveys would target areas where GRCA Fire Management is planning to conduct prescribed fire in the near future.  

3) Develop and present a ~20-minute in-person education program catering toward a younger (K-8th grade) audience. Program will highlight different aspects of Grand Canyon National Park resources.

• Work with supervisor to develop a program. The supervisor will assist in finding appropriate techniques, images, and props for an effective program. 
• Research program content such as the natural and human history of Grand Canyon National Park and write up structured program outlines for each program. Outlines will include program themes, goals, and essential questions. 
• Identify tangible materials and resources needed to engage audiences during activities and programs.  

Minimum qualifications:

• Interest and/or experience with biology, ecology, or related subjects.
• The successful applicant must be reliable, punctual, and self-motivated.
• Strong verbal and communication skills.
• Self-starter, creative, strategic, and resourceful.
• Must be comfortable and proficient speaking to large groups of people, including children.
• Ability to stand and walk for extensive periods, and in some cases, over rough surfaces or inclines carrying backpacks, tools, rescue equipment, etc.
• Must be able to work full days outside in high or low temperatures, or adverse weather conditions.
• Ability to maintain a positive attitude and consistently be courteous and polite to visitors.
• Ability to learn quickly and retain basic knowledge.
• Ability to follow written and oral directions, ask clarifying questions to ensure understanding of expectations.
• Desire to be bold and creative. 
• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• Must pass required background checks 
• Must be 18-30 years of age, maximum 35 for Veterans with DD-214 due Public Land Corps Direct Hiring Authority
• Driver's License with a clean driving record within the last 3 years

Apply Now!

To apply, please submit an updated resume and complete the online application.  For any questions contact: Ryan Aguilar, ALCC IP Program Director, raguilar@conservationlegacy.org or Kiana Etsate-Gashytewa, ALCC IP Program Coordinator, kiana@conservationlegacy.org.