Position Description
The Paint Rock Forest Research Center is dedicated to seeing diversity through the eyes of diversity, training a new generation in the national center of deciduous forest diversity, cave diversity and aquatic diversity.
Our center, located in the spectacular 450,000-acre Paint Rock ecosystem, attracts researchers from around the world. We have worked with The Nature Conservancy to dedicate more than 4000 acres of forests, savanna and river bottom habitat to scientific research and discovery,
The backbone of our effort is creation of a massive outside laboratory the size of some 120 football fields, where every stem larger than a pencil is identified, measured, mapped and followed for fifty years. It’s designed to be the largest and richest forest dynamics plot in the nation. Our work here will provide critical information on the future of forests throughout North America.
Research interns will engage daily with nature in all its forms. It’s often hard work requiring intense concentration, but it is full of surprises and for many is a life-changing experience.
We offer an opportunity rarely available through traditional colleges and universities: A chance to see and study working natural systems, every day, up close and intimately. Candidates will regularly interface with some of the world’s top researchers from universities and institutions including UCLA, University of Georgia, University of Alabama, Morton Arboretum, Yale, Auburn, Clemson and many others. These meetings give students an unusual opportunity to explore careers in natural history and the sciences.
Our goal with each student is to help them move up and move on, knowing the full choices available to them. We actively encourage and help research interns to further their education and to find appropriate careers in academia, with state and federal agencies like the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service, and in the private sector.
Project Location: Paint Rock, Alabama
Program Dates: May 15, 2023 – December 24, 2023
Hours:
Typically M-F, 7a – 3:30p during a 5-day work week if on an 8-hour day schedule.
The schedule will shift seasonally due to sunlight availability and may shift to a 10-hour, 4-day work week schedule as needed. Specific weekly position schedules may vary depending on the needs of the site.
Responsibilities
Nine months of participation in our live-in Field Science program, which is coordinated with the Student Conservation Association, and includes:
—Supporting forest health and restoration through participation in the largest and most biologically diverse forest dynamics census in North America (~70% of the time);
—stream and forest restoration programs (~10% of the time);
—an additional research or communications project designed to give each research intern an opportunity to participate in and often supervise their own project (~20% of the time).
This may include projects as varied as visual communications of natural history; working with an archaeological team; state of the art ornithological surveys using radar and auditory equipment; native bamboo research and restoration; DNA collections for determining new species and to better identify individuals likely to survive invasive species such as the emerald ash borer. Where possible, these projects will be designed to further interns’ career interests as well as scientific understanding.
Member Qualifications (Essential Functions)
- Must be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member
- Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States
- Must be at least 18 years or older
- Local candidates only
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to obtain one;
- Be willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks;
- Ability to pass SCA’s AmeriCorps criminal history background check. Passion for the great outdoors
It is SCA’s policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared results prior to the position’s start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position’s start date will be delayed due to non-compliance.
Member Benefits
- Members will be engaged in a national network of professional resources and a peer group.
- Compensation:
- $567 weekly living allowance
- $1100 relocation travel allowance, one time
- SCA Uniform Package
- Housing provided
- Upon successful completion of service, a $4,546.50 AmeriCorps Education Award (1200 Minimum Service Hours)*
- AmeriCorps Member Assistance Program
- Trainings provided:
- AmeriCorps 101 and Prohibited Activities, suspension and termination policy
- AmeriCorps Members Service Agreement- Drug Free Workplace, Code of Conduct, Grievance Procedures, Disability Inclusion, Non-Discrimination
- Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion
- Sexual Harassment & Maintaining a Positive Workplace
- Risk Management 101
- Life After AmeriCorps- resume building, applying for jobs etc.
*All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
2023 Tentative Schedule
*Please note – this is a tentative schedule. Dates may change, but training opportunities will remain the same.
- 05/15/23 – 05/19/23: National Direct Program (Virtual) Orientation & On-Site Training
- 05/22/2023- 12/17/2023: Field Season
- 12/18/2023 – 12/24/2023: Last week of service & Final wrap up
Hours
Typically M-F, 7a – 3:30p during a 5-day work week if on an 8-hour day schedule.
The schedule will shift seasonally due to sunlight availability and may shift to a 10-hour, 4-day work week schedule as needed. Members serve approximately 40 hours a week for a period of 34 weeks. Members must achieve a minimum of 1200 hours of service within 34 weeks. Specific weekly position schedules may vary depending on the needs of the site.
This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member.
It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all members is central to the continued success of our programs. We will not discriminate against an applicant because of race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, physical disability, mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expressions in selections, terminations and or recommendations. Opportunity is provided to all applicants in the basis of qualifications and program requirements. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants during the selection process and to members during service.
Conditions of Employment
For SCA’s COVID guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid.
SCA1957
Position ID: PO-00734314
Expected Dates: May 15, 2023 - December 24, 2023
Location:
3400 A County Road 10
Paint Rock, AL 35764
US
Training Provided: We actively encourage and help research interns to further their education and to find appropriate careers in academia, with state and federal agencies.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: Regular interface with some of the world’s top researchers from universities and institutions, including UCLA, Yale, Alabama, Clemson and many others. Tens of thousands of acres of forest and rivers are open for hiking and canoeing.
Handicap Accessible?: No
Main Area of Focus: Natural Resources Mgmt
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Recommended
While interns may in most cases have an opportunity to ride with others on the team, having your own vehicle offers some independence, and prevents an individual from being stranded when the rest of the team is away.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
We provide on-campus accommodations for research interns for the duration, in our comfortable and attractive 7,000 square foot residential, lab and lecture spaces. Rooms are spacious, with two beds per room. All washing and kitchen facilities are provided.
Indoor/Outdoor: Outside
US Citizenship: No
