Job Description

Habitat Restoration Members – Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary:

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking (2) Habitat Restoration Members to contribute to public land and habitat restoration projects alongside Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

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

Start Date: April 2023

Estimated End Date: October 2023

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex

The Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of Rocky Flats NWR, Two Ponds NWR, and Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR.

A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs.

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a 5,237-acre refuge in Golden, Colorado, and has striking vistas of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and rolling prairie grasslands, woodlands and wetlands. It is home to 239 migratory and resident wildlife species, including prairie falcons, deer, elk, coyotes, songbirds, and the federally threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse.

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is located in Arvada, Colorado and is the smallest urban refuge in the country. At 72 acres, the Refuge’s habitat hosts over 120 species of birds and a variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is located just northeast of Denver and is a 15,000-acre expanse of prairie, wetland and woodland habitat. The land has a unique story – it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland, to war-time manufacturing site, to wildlife sanctuary. It may be one of the finest conservation success stories in history and a place where wildlife thrives.

For more information, please visit:

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky-flats/about-us

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/two-ponds/about-us

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky-mountain-arsenal/about-us

Position Overview: This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

The Members will be trained and acquire experiences in a wide array of habitat and public lands management. With this position, we strive to expose the members to as many different aspects of refuge management as possible (see below). This allows the members to work, learn and network with all staff members and even travel to other FWS facilities to learn from them. Past Members have consistently commented that being able to work alongside staff like this has helped them refine and narrow their future careers and understand how FWS serves the American public in a variety of different ways.

The Members will also gain valuable skills in a variety of topics including flora and fauna of Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuges, interpretation and environmental education techniques, habitat restoration, maintenance and operations, administration, as well as program planning and evaluation.

Duties will include:

• Working with refuge staff to identify specific habitat improvement projects that are achievable by the youth corps crews
• Conducting habitat improvement projects such as native grass seeding, invasive species management, irrigation, mowing and haying, and weed control in prescribed burns units
• Ensuring the required equipment and supplies are prepared ahead of time
• Collecting accurate and detailed documentation of work being performed
• Assisting with small mammal population management, such as biological surveys for species such as the endangered black-footed ferret, Preble’s meadow jumping mice, black-tailed prairie dogs; but also bison and other species.
• Construction/repair of refuge infrastructure like wayfinding kiosks, trail signs, bison fence, etc
• Basic fleet and equipment maintenance
• Basic facility maintenance such as electrical, plumbing, painting, and wood and metalworking
• Basic administrative tasks such as tracking fuel and fleet usage and making acquisition requests and purchases
• Interacting with and helping the public during public events, programs, or volunteer events

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 on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $770/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the members and is not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, jackets, and hats and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support. Specific training for habitat management and refuge operations will include safe operation of heavy equipment, off-road vehicles, and other equipment used.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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 members of a group.
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associate’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Basic knowledge of hand and power tools, as well as agricultural, mechanical, or heavy equipment experience.
• Preference for experience in invasive species management (plants) and/or habitat restoration.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. Required to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The members are 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.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Internship. Job Tags: conservation, fire, Fish and Wildlife, Habitat, nature, plant, USFWS, and wildlife. Salaries: 20,000 - 40,000.

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