Biology Assistant – Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve

Start/End Dates: May 19, 2025 – August 9, 2025 (12 weeks)

Mosaics in Science seeks to engage ethnically and racially diverse young professionals in natural resource careers.

Requirements:

• U.S. citizen or legal resident
• Valid driver’s license
• A personal vehicle is recommended for this position.

Position Description:
The intern will assist with fieldwork and develop science communication products (e.g., resource briefs, storytelling, videos) on conservation issues related to environmental changes in the Arctic. These issues include impacts on small mammal populations from climate change and the Ambler Mining District Road. The potential future road corridor abuts Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve and is near Kobuk Valley National Park.

In addition, the intern will participate in field projects with various scientists and mentors in different Alaska parklands, learning about wildlife biology and natural resource management. These projects may include:

• Songbird surveys in Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (GAAR) and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
• Peregrine falcon surveys in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (YUCH)
• Small-mammal surveys in Denali National Park and Preserve (DENA)
• Water-quality surveys in various parks

To develop their skills and enhance their resumes, the intern will attend all required NPS and safety training. This will include training on the NPS mission and policies, backcountry and bear safety, operational leadership, first aid/CPR, bear and shotgun safety, leave-no-trace backcountry camping, and A-100 aviation safety. Additional training may be assigned as needed and available.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct peregrine falcon surveys via motorboat along the upper Yukon River.
• Conduct avian and/or snowshoe hare surveys via hiking in GAAR.
• Conduct water quality surveys (by small plane, hiking, and pack raft) throughout northern and interior Alaska parklands.
• Conduct small mammal surveys via hiking/backpacking in Denali.
• Assist with logistics, field preparations, and data entry.
• Collaboratively create science communication products (e.g., resource briefs, videos) about pre-development reference conditions of small mammal environmental contaminants data before nearby industrial development.
• Attend all required NPS safety and mission training.
• Assist with the preparation of isotope and fecal samples for diet, stress, and microbiome analyses on small mammal populations.

Qualifications:

• Major studies relevant to this position: Wildlife biology or biological sciences, including forestry, environmental science, or climate change science.
• Experience camping and hiking in remote areas.
• Experience with science communication, videography, video production, and/or storytelling.
• Ability to work with a variety of groups in remote, backcountry camping settings for up to three weeks.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills and emotional intelligence.
• Willingness to learn.
• Strong writing skills.

Interns in this program will receive 480 hours toward Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority. See below for more information:

Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority (PLC)
The Public Land Corps Non-Competitive Hiring Authority is a special hiring authority available to qualifying interns. The intern must be between the ages of 18 and 30 years old, inclusive, or a veteran up to age 35 and complete 640 hours of work on an appropriate conservation project to be eligible for this hiring authority. Upon successful completion of the PLC project(s), the intern is eligible for two years to be hired non-competitively into a federal seasonal, term, or permanent position. The applicant must apply to a PLC-eligible position advertised on USAJobs.gov and selected off a non-competitive certificate of eligibility. For more information, see DOI Personnel Bulletins 11-02 , 12-13, and 17-03.

EEO Statement

Environment for the Americas provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.