Job Description

ACE EPIC placements provide young adults with focused, hands-on opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers. 

Funding for ACE positions is provided by a federal program designed specifically for the employment of youth and young adults. 

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Summary:  American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), is seeking up to 4 Science Rapid Response Team members to contribute to some of the Northeast and Southeast region’s greatest At-Risk species conservation opportunities in 2022. 

The Science Rapid Response Team (or RRT) was established in 2019 by the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help implement a program to conserve At-Risk species before it becomes necessary to invoke regulatory protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The Service and States have prioritized species that can benefit from immediate coordinated action to address emerging science and conservation needs. Addressing these needs requires working across the full range of a species’ distribution and closely coordinating with conservation partners, including Service programs, state wildlife agencies, universities, and others.   

The RRT’s projects in 2022 include saltmarsh sparrow, Northern bog lemming, Arogos skipper, pine barrens, and more. To complete these projects, we are seeking up to 4 new seasonal team members to join the RRT program. Due to the scope and complexity of our work, the Service is seeking the highest caliber candidates who are experienced and committed to careers in conservation science. RRT positions are not internships designed for the inexperienced—team members will be expected to have experience, to learn independently, and to provide problem solving and leadership to address the region’s top conservation challenges. In return, they will be exposed to high-profile conservation projects, seasoned conservation scientists, and leading organizations.     

Start Date: Desired start date is between April 4 – May 30, 2022 

End Date: July 22 – September 23, 2022

*16 week commitment required, with the potential for extension at the end of the term*

Location: RRT members will conduct field work in multiple locations across the Northeast and Southeast US (Maine to Florida). The average length of stay in any one location is 2-4 weeks (range of 1 to 8 weeks), depending on the project. 

Work Schedule: Team members will generally work Monday-Friday, although weekend work may occasionally be required.

Living Allowance: RRT members will contribute ~40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $650-$725 per week, depending on experience.  The living allowance will be paid out biweekly for food and incidental living expenses. 

Housing: Housing will be provided during field work, following approved Covid-19 health and safety protocols. Outside of field season, team members will work remotely from the location of their choice.  When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.  

Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-competitive Hiring Authority: Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior (DOI) PLC non-competitive hiring authority certificate upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must be between the ages of 18 and 30, must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours (16 weeks at 40 hours/week) and utilize their certificate when applying for qualifying federal positions within 2 years of receipt. More information can be provided upon request.

Position Description:

RRT members will conduct field surveys and engage in diverse conservation efforts to benefit At-Risk species in the Northeastern and Southeastern United States.  Team members will work on a diversity of habitats, including coastal marshes, high-elevation bogs and fens, pine barrens, and grasslands.  Our work will also take place on a diversity of land-ownership types, including Federal, State, and private, which will necessitate excellent coordination and communication with landowners and other partners.  In the field, team members should expect to encounter a variety of highly challenging environmental conditions, including temperature extremes, challenging vegetation (thorns, poison ivy, mucky wetlands), biting insects, and high elevations.   

Although team members will be expected to operate independently throughout the season, and to independently study the identification and biology of target species, they will receive valuable field training and guidance throughout the season from a team of the region’s top wildlife biologists.  Furthermore, a core principle of the RRT is to create a cooperative and supportive work environment, where team members, coordinators, and Service supervisors communicate well and work together to achieve our objectives.

After field season or if local Covid-19 conditions necessitate a pause in field work, team members may transition to a work-from-home arrangement (telework) to conduct remote assessments of At-Risk species and sites.  During telework, team members may work from the location of their choice, but must provide a personal computer and internet access.  

To help ensure team safety and productivity during the Covid-19 pandemic, team members will be required to enter into “Covid pods” with 1-3 other team members during field work.  They will observe a code of conduct to minimize potential exposure to Covid-19.  In the unlikely case of exposure requiring quarantine, we will support the team member’s needs during that time (separate bed and bath facilities, food delivery, etc). 

Primary duties may include:

• Conducting salt marsh bird point count surveys, butterfly and habitat surveys, small mammal pellet counts and collection for genetic analysis, and pine barrens vegetation surveys. 
• In collaboration with other team members and supervisors, planning daily tasks to ensure that overall survey objectives are achieved within the required timeframe.
• Using maps, such as Google Earth, ArcGIS Online and Avenza Maps, to navigate to survey locations or identify potentially suitable habitat to target for surveys.
• Performing data entry using MS Excel, Survey123 or similar databases, and performing data management, including QA/QC.
• Engaging in restoration activities, such as establishing plantings, clearing vegetation with hand tools, and providing hands-on assistance to partners engaged in restoration. 

Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.  

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The member may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.  In some cases, team members may work at high elevations, hiking over extremely rugged terrain.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the Service or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the Service.  Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the Service, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to Service and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.  

Qualifications: RRT member positions require a higher level of independence and leadership than typical seasonal positions due to the complexity of working with numerous conservation partners, using diverse field methodologies, traveling between multiple properties, independently learning and navigating, and performing remote activities, often without direct supervisor oversight.  Team members will be required to solve problems independently in the field and quickly adapt to changing circumstances. Through independent study, applicants should be familiar with the biology and identification of the species described here. Team members are expected to be prepared for inclement weather at all times. Successful team members are adaptable, great communicators, and adventurous! 

Required: 

• Team members must be willing to represent ACE and the FWS in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Fellowship is available to US Citizens and Permanent Residents only 
• Must have a valid driver’s license, be 21 years of age to drive a vehicle, provide documentation of a clean driving record; and have a personal vehicle (recommended) 
• Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved 
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills (e.g., structured decision making and issues identification skills)  
• Strong organizational (e.g., data management, files management), communication, and time management skills 
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check 
• Experience conducting independent field work outdoors in varied weather conditions 
• Basic knowledge of Northeast or Southeast wildlife and habitats, such as pine barrens, grasslands, bogs/fens, and salt marshes.   
• Knowledge of the anatomical features of butterflies, birds, and other taxa 
• Required coursework includes GIS, ecology, botany, and/or zoology with a field practicum component.  
• Experience using handheld GPS devices, familiarity with GPS applications accessible on smartphones, navigation to remote sites, and documenting coordinates 
• Adept at using spreadsheets to enter data 
• Eager to travel and work long days in hot sun and/or wet conditions 

Preferred: 

• Strong desire to enter the public service field as a conservation professional 
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the Service and other federal land management agencies 
• Bachelor’s strongly preferred; Ongoing or completed Master’s level education desired 
• Ability to begin work within the stated range of start dates (April 4 – May 30, 2022) will be strongly preferred 

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Internship. Job Tags: conservation and Endangered Species. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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