Individual Placement - Sea Turtle Recovery at Padre Island National Seashore

Position Title: Sea Turtle Recovery AmeriCorps Individual Placement

Service Position Summary

Two SCA Individual Placements will engage in Sea Turtle Recovery efforts at Padre Island National Seashore. Individuals will contribute to the conservation of Kemp's ridley, green, and loggerhead sea turtles through care and monitoring of sea turtle eggs and release of hatchlings. Interns will analyze unhatched eggs in a laboratory setting. Individuals may have the opportunity to contribute to ongoing data analysis, report writing, and other assignments related to nesting and stranded turtles as available.

Position Summary

The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, marine sanctuaries, and much more across the country.

This position is part of SCA's National Direct Opportunity Youth Service Initiative (OYSI). OYSI is a partnership between SCA, AmeriCorps, and The Corps Network which engages youth ages 18–24 who are disconnected from school or work in hands-on conservation service that protect and restore public lands, waters, and recreation resources nationwide. The program provides job-skills training, support, and career pathways in environmental stewardship and infrastructure fields, while prioritizing placements for participants who meet opportunity-youth eligibility criteria

Member Impact

Individuals will contribute to the conservation of Kemp's ridley, green, and loggerhead sea turtles through care and monitoring of sea turtle eggs and release of hatchlings.

Schedule

August 3, 2026 - October 30, 2026

Hours

40 per week

A minimum 30-minute lunch break is required each service day. Lunch periods do not count toward the required minimum service hours.

Service Location

Padre Island National Seashore in Corpus Christi, TX

AmeriCorps Service Term Minimum Hours Requirement

450 hours

Essential Functions

Operate four-wheel drive enclosed vehicles; Serve overnight shifts to monitor and care for incubating sea turtle eggs; Collect specimen samples and analyze unhatched sea turtle eggs; Conduct nighttime patrols to release sea turtle hatchlings; Aid with transport and release of sea turtle hatchlings; Enter nesting and stranded sea turtle data using standard database, word processing and spreadsheet programs.

The position functions will comply with all AmeriCorps Prohibited Activity restrictions specified in the SCA AmeriCorps Member Service Agreement and SCA Corps Member Handbook.

Marginal Functions

May conduct daytime patrols on beaches to detect nesting sea turtles, stranded sea turtles, and hatchlings; May aid with documentation, investigation, and protection of nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings; May aid with retrieval and transport of sea turtle eggs; May aid with documentation and transport of live and dead stranded sea turtles found washed ashore on the beach or in the bay; May communicate and contact visitors and volunteers to exchange and provide information on nesting sea turtles, stranded sea turtles and hatchlings; May operate a Utility Transport Vehicles (UTV) to conduct field activities, transport gear to other patrollers in the field, transport live and dead turtles, transport eggs and hatchlings (Driving is often on remote, rough and unstable sandy beaches. Necessary training, work vehicles, safety gear, and routine camping gear will be provided); May use specialized computer software to prepare reports, figures, tables, label images, and other material to document field and survey activities; Performs occasional maintenance and troubleshooting of four-wheel drive vehicles, UTVs, communication radios, and other field equipment; Loads, unloads, and maintains material and gear.

Required Qualifications

Valid Driver's License and personal vehicle required.

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.

AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. To be eligible for this position you must meet these basic AmeriCorps Eligibility Requirements:

. Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;

. Being at least 18 years or older;

. Having a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to complete;

. Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check after acceptance of position, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred experience working outdoors in humid, sandy environments; working indoors in a laboratory setting; and working with Microsoft products (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Commitment Required

13 weeks

Living Accommodations

Housing will be co-ed and provided by SCA

Personal Vehicle Requirement

Not needed

Compensation

• Amount of Living Allowance member will receive: $600/week
• Amount of Relocation Allowance member will receive: $1,100
• Amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award being offered for successful completion of the member term of service: $1,956.35
• All allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes.
• Eligible for Federal Student Loan forbearance and interest payment deferment through AmeriCorps for qualifying student loans

Training and Additional Benefits

First Aid/CPR

Off-Road Vehicle Safety

• Training will not exceed 20% of total service hours
• AmeriCorps and SCA Orientation
• SCA Risk Management
• Sexual Harassment/Drug Abuse in the Workplace
• Professional Development & Job Readiness

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Student Conservation Association, Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The SCA strives to cultivate a work environment that encourages fairness, teamwork, and respect among all staff members and is committed to maintaining a work atmosphere where lifestyles may grow personally and professionally.