Job Description

Biological Support Members – Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex

ACE EPIC placements provide recent young adult graduates 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.

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a non-profit youth and young adult conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Biological Support Members to work alongside Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff. During this term, the ACE member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of diverse management activities on various wildlife habitats, forested wetlands, upland and riverine habitats for the improvement and/or maintenance of these habitats for the benefit of a wide variety of plant and animal species.

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

Start Date: October 17, 2022

End Date: October 15, 2023

**52 week commitment required**

Location: Theodore Roosevelt National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Mississippi / Louisiana

For more information about USFWS and the National Wildlife Refuges within this Complex, please visit the Headquarters – Panther Swamp National Wildlife Refuge webpage: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/panther-swamp/about-us

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday – Friday. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours, including over 8-hour work days and working on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: The ACE members will be accommodated in provided agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term. 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 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 and before the age of 31. More information can be provided upon request.

Position Description:

This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with agency professionals. The selected individual will work alongside refuge staff on a number of projects. Due to the mild winters and the diversity of species, extra help is needed year round to support biological programs and provide some occasional support for maintenance and visitor services operations as needed. Refuge habitat improvement projects can occur year round, but can increase during the spring and summer months during drier conditions.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Assisting with water management, including operating water control structures, checking pumps, de-watering impoundments, and monitoring water levels.
• Conducting and assisting with wildlife surveys, including migratory bird and waterfowl surveys, in accordance with station objectives.
• Sign maintenance and installation surrounding sensitive areas such as waterfowl sanctuaries, closed areas, boundaries, and other locations.
• Cultivation / planting / monitoring of croplands and moist soil units and/or sensitive areas.
• Operating and maintaining refuge equipment including all-terrain vehicles, 4×4 trucks, trailers, boats, and heavy equipment.
• Assisting with the control of invasive and nuisance species. Identifying, mapping, and treating areas with invasive plant species, including the application of herbicides. Carries out beaver control activities, including removal of beaver dams to protect valuable timber/wildlife resources.
• Possibly assisting with the gathering of biological data in the preparation of plans and reports on plants, fish, and wildlife.
• Assisting with public use programs, which include fishing, wildlife observation, environmental education, and recreation.
• Other duties will include, but are not limited to: trail construction and maintenance, providing or assisting with environmental education programs, mowing, planting, and more.

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 ACE 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.

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

Qualifications

Required:

• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports
• Familiarity with geographic information system (GIS), aerial photography and survey techniques, and global positioning systems (GPS)
• Ability to communicate verbally and in writing in order to assist in the preparation of wildlife management survey summaries
• Knowledge of the USFWS mission

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies, Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or other related field of study appropriate to this position
• Experience in biological fieldwork
• Experience with equipment maintenance and operation of 4×4 trucks, trailers, agricultural tractors, ATV / UTV, hand tools, and boats
• Education and/or experience using Geographic Information Systems, mapping, GPS

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Internship. Job Tags: conservation, Habitat, nature, plant, and wildlife. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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