Position Title: Invasive Species Technician Individual Placement
Conservation Legacy Program: Southeast Conservation Corps
Site Location: National Park Service, Big South Fork NRRA and OBED
Address: 4564 Leatherwood Road, Oneida, TN 37841
Position Available: 3
Terms of Service: 12 Weeks
Start Date: 05/26/2026
End Date: 08/14/2026
AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 hr
Purpose:
Southeast Conservation Corps (SECC) is a non-profit, AmeriCorps-affiliated organization. This individual placement is in partnership with the National Park Service and is an AmeriCorps Position. SECC empowers young adults to cultivate compassion, responsibility, and grit through community service and environmental stewardship. SECC selects young adults, ages 18-30, to complete conservation projects on public lands throughout the Southeast. SECC programs encourage environmental stewardship, foster community partnerships, and emphasize experiential learning.
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. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
The Resource Management Division is charged with protecting/preserving the natural and cultural resources of the parks for the enjoyment of future generations. In particular, the position will directly support the Botanist in protecting/preserving, and, as necessary, rehabilitating, native plant communities throughout the parks. The vegetation management program includes managing invasive species (plants and forest pests) using integrated pest management principles to protect native plant species, plant communities, and habitat.
Position Overview:
The Individual Placement will be directly involved in protecting and preserving native plants and habitat by helping control invasive plants and forest pests through integrated pest management. The service will benefit the community and environment by creating and preserving safe, natural areas for outdoor recreation and enjoyment by visitors of all ages. The individual placement will also be involved in protecting and rehabilitating globally imperiled cobble bar habitat in riparian areas where many sensitive or rare plant species occur. The individual placement will primarily involve controlling invasive plants in imperiled cobble bar/river scour habitat along streams in both Big South Fork NRRA and Obed WSR. Seventy-five percent of the world's habitat of cobble bar/river scour occurs within these two national parks. Protection of these habitats is paramount to the survival of several sensitive plant species, including two listed species. Invasive plants will be treated in globally imperiled river scour habitats on creeks and riverbanks along numerous miles of rivers in both parks. Invasive treatments will also occur in upland habitats, including treatments in and around state- and federally listed plants.
Description of Duties:
Upland Invasive Plant Management
· Successfully navigate service sites on foot and while operating UTVs and ATVs in various weather and terrain conditions.
· Successfully remove invasive plants from upland areas using pesticides and tools such as loppers, hand saws, and chainsaws.
· Assist the team lead in accurately recording data such as treatment area, chemical usage, and species treated.
Riparian Invasive Plant Management
· Successfully navigate service sites on foot and while operating non-motorized water vessels.
· Successfully remove invasive plants from riparian areas using pesticides and tools such as hand saws and girdling knives.
· Assist the team lead in accurately recording data such as treatment area, chemical usage, and species treated.
Safety
· Participate in safety talks to start the day.
· Come prepared, having proper PPE every day, including but not limited to hard hats, long sleeve shirts, pants, boots, safety glasses, gloves, sunscreen, bug repellent, etc.
· Report safety concerns or personal limitations to the crew lead in a timely manner.
Potential environmental/human risk involved with this term of service: ticks, chiggers, stinging insects, snakes, other wildlife, uneven and rocky terrain, heat exposure in open fields, heat exposure along rivers, and pop-up storms. Failure to comply with safety requirements may result in injury
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 before using the education award
· Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check
· Valid Driver’s License
· At least one full year of specialized experience comparable in scope and responsibility to the GS-04 grade level in the Federal service (obtained in either the public or private sectors).
· This experience includes activities such as: performing or assisting with service relating to the various components of ecosystems or their subparts (i.e., vegetation, air and water quality, wildlife and endangered species, insect and disease infestations, exotic and non-native species management, patterns and impacts of visitor use, etc.); assisting with biological resource management and assessment activities using established protocols and standard scientific equipment; experience with data entry and/or data management using standard software programs
· Successful completion of at least four years of progressively higher-level undergraduate course study leading to a bachelor's degree or equivalent undergraduate degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in any combination of courses such as biology, chemistry, statistics, entomology, animal husbandry, botany, physics, agriculture, or mathematics. At least 6 semester hours of courses must have been directly related to the position to be filled
· Successful completion of a COMBINATION of education and experience as described above.
Preferred Qualifications:
· current/previous certification to apply pesticides; certification to operate chainsaws
Transportation:
A personal vehicle is required due to the limited public transportation and rural character of this location. USFS/SECC vehicles will be provided for transportation only for forest capacity. This Individual Placement must be a driver.
Physical Requirements:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that people with disabilities receive reasonable accommodation to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, the ability to move across varied terrain, the use of program-specific tools, and a range of technologies on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruitment process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
Typically, this position is expected to serve from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week – but exact service schedules may vary and may include evening and weekend service depending on project needs. A half-hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service. Members may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Orientation and Training:
· Members will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
· NPS Defensive Driver training and will be accompanied/observed driving in the field by the Botanist prior to being allowed to drive solo in a government vehicle.
· UTV and ATV safety courses.
· Pesticide training.
· Non-motorized boater course.
· Tailgate Safety Sessions
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award: $1,956.35
- Living Allowance: $500 per week.
- Additional Benefit: $200 per week.
- Housing: Campsite available for entire 12 weeks.
- Possible student loan forbearance.
- Member Assistance Program – 3 free sessions of support with a counseling or service-life balance specialist.
- Professional development opportunities (mentorship, resume support, etc.) and exposure to natural resource career paths.
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:
- Monthly Accomplishment Report
- Narrative Monthly Report.
Substance Free:
In accordance with a drug-free environment, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
If you have questions about the position, please contact:
Marie Tackett
Botanist
National Park Service, Big South Fork NRRA / OBED
marie_tackett@nps.gov
If you have questions about the application process, please contact:
Angela Gerstner
Individual Placements Member Support Coordinator
Southeast Conservation Corps
agerstner@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.
