Conservation Legacy is hiring a Cave and Karst Assistant for an AmeriCorps position focused on bat and cave monitoring at El Malpais National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns National Park. You will address critical data needs for cave and wildlife management, including monitoring for White-Nose Syndrome, joining a dynamic team and contributing to national datasets.
What You'll Do
- Monitor bat variety through hibernacula counts in lava tubes throughout El Malpais National Monument.
- Conduct mist-netting at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and acoustic monitoring at both parks.
- Learn to identify different bat species by key features, use environmental monitoring equipment, and record site data in FieldMaps.
- Upload data to the North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat).
- Perform cave environmental monitoring, cave mapping, and cave inventory to assess conditions in the monument’s main bat habitats.
- Assist researchers with projects ranging from cave microbe sampling and ice coring.
- Produce a short report summarizing the results of hibernacula monitoring and an end-of-term presentation for the public.
- Collate and upload hibernacula count data to NABat.
- Prepare abstracts and presentations for professional meetings like the New Mexico Bat Working Group.
What We're Looking For
- 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.
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check for Conservation Legacy and a separate government security background check for the NPS site location prior to starting.
- Must be available to participate for 26 Weeks.
- Must have a valid driver’s license and a good driving record.
- A personal vehicle is REQUIRED for this position.
- Computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel are required.
- Must be able to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
Nice to Have
- A strong interest in bats and caves.
- Comfortable hiking cross-country over rugged, difficult terrain.
- Experience with horizontal caving.
- Experience with vertical caving (additional training will be provided on-site).
- Able to work well independently and as a team, both in the office and in the field.
Technical Stack
- FieldMaps
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- North American Bat Monitoring Program (NABat)
Team & Environment
Join a dynamic, friendly team.
Benefits & Compensation
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 upon successful completion.
- 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.
- Student Loan Interest Payments if applicable.
- Park housing is available and will be provided at no cost to the participant.
- Free professional development webinars led by Conservation Legacy staff.
- Pertinent training from the NPS site location throughout the term of service.
Work Mode
This is an onsite position at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and El Malpais National Monument in Grants, New Mexico.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer.
