Position Summary
This position is based out of Anchorage, Alaska. You will travel to national parks across Alaska assisting biologists and natural resource managers with inventory, monitoring, and control of invasive aquatic plants. This position is focused on working to stop the spread of invasive species in Alaska's national parks and support healthy ecosystems in the state. You will also cross train and conduct some work surveying for invasive terrestrial weeds and collecting native plant seeds that will be used for habitat restoration. This position will take you to many beautiful and remote locations across the state while helping to protect our national parks.
Schedule
May 19, 2025 - September 7, 2025
Additional Application Requirements
On your resume, please include all relevant experience gained through employment, school, volunteering or personal experience.
In addition to a resume please include short essay answers to these questions to receive full consideration for this position.
1. Describe your ability to work effectively in challenging conditions
2. Describe your experience working with a small team to complete complex tasks
3. Describe why you applied to this position and what you hope to gain from it.
4. Describe your comfort spending time in and around water and in boats.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Perform identification of native and non-native plants.
Use small paddle powered boats to perform aquatic plant surveys.
Perform invasive plant removal using both hand pulling and herbicide treatments (you will be trained on the proper methods).
Record data in both digital and paper formats with a high degree of precision.
Travel and camp in extremely remote environments often in hot/cold/rainy/and buggy conditions. After training is completed, you will spend the rest of the summer primarily camping during work time. Often you will access sites by driving, but you may also travel to field sites by small airplane or boat depending on project needs.
Work closely with a small team towards a shared goal, with occasional time spent working alone.
Hike on rough terrain where there are no trails, and may be thick brush and steep hills, while carrying a pack weighing up to 30 pounds.
Work, travel, and camp in bear habitat safely (you will receive proper training on best practices and carry bear deterrent in the field)
Marginal Duties
Perform GIS data management and analysis.
Use technical flora to identify terrestrial plants.
Assist with writing reports and completing other documents related to work done
Required Qualifications
Experience hiking and camping.
Personal, work, or academic knowledge related to botanical identification or natural history.
Comfort working in very remote environments for extended periods of time.
Competency using Microsoft word and excel programs, and general computer literacy.
This SCA Position is authorized under the Public Land Corps Authority. All participants must be between the ages of 16 and 30, inclusive, or veterans age 35 or younger. Participants must also be a citizen or national of the United States or lawful permanent resident alien of the United States. Hours served can be applied toward the Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience collecting scientific data.
Knowledge of ESRI GIS mapping and data collection products.
Experience in small boats (i.e.. canoes, kayaks, rafts).
Experience collecting botanical vouchers and using technical flora for plant identification.
Hours
40 per week
Living Accommodations
Position is based in Anchorage, AK. Housing in Anchorage is not provided, but the Anchorage based staff will make efforts to assist with finding housing if possible.
Compensation
$350/week living allowance
$800/month housing allowance
$1,300 one-time roundtrip travel allowance
$1,050 duty-related reimbursements (to use for in-season travel)
AmeriCorps eligible (450-hour Award: $1,956.35)
All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
Personal Vehicle Information
Recommended
Additional Benefits
Bear Safety
Defensive Drive Training
Off-Road Vehicle Safety
AmeriCorps: Eligible/Optional
Equal Opportunity Statement
SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members. SCA is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere in which people of diverse backgrounds and lifestyles may grow personally and professionally. The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.
Physical requirements and working conditions specific to the position are available in the full job description.
