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 non-profit youth and young adult conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Invasive Species Mapping and Management Members to assist biologists and other staff from Eastern Neck, Eastern Shore of Virginia, and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuges. During this term, the ACE member will join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects such as GIS mapping of invasive plants, searching for new infestations of invasive plants, physical removal of invasive plants, and application of pesticide to manage invasive plants.

Start Date: May 31, 2022

End Date:  September 17, 2022

**16-week commitment required**

Location: Throughout the 16 week term, the two interns will travel from Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge (MD) to Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (VA) to Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (VA). A FWS vehicle will be provided for work duties, but a personal vehicle is required for travel between the three work locations. Travel costs including gas and tolls will be reimbursed.

Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge is a 2,285 acre island providing habitat for thousands of wintering waterfowl, including the tundra swan. Swans feed off of grasses in the river and narrows as do the waterfowl. Eastern Neck refuge supports a wide variety of habitats including brackish marsh, natural ponds, upland forest, and grasslands. The refuge holds the designation of Important Bird Areas by the Audubon Society. Over 240 bird species visit the refuge along with small mammals and many other wildlife species.

For more information about Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Eastern_Neck/about.html

Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge is located at the tip of the Delmarva Peninsula. This area is one of the most important avian migration funnels in North America. Each fall, like colorful clockwork, the refuge is the scene of a spectacular drama as millions of songbirds and monarch butterflies and thousands of raptors converge on their voyage south. Favorable weather patterns push migrating species through the area in waves. Clouds of tree swallows swirl overhead and flame orange and black-winged monarch butterflies float aloft. Protected habitats such as these provide critical stopover areas where birds and butterflies can rest and feed before resuming their arduous journey.

For more information about Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: 

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Eastern_Shore_of_Virginia/about.html

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge includes more than 14,000 acres of beach, dunes, marsh, and maritime forest. Established in 1943 to provide habitat for migratory birds (with an emphasis on conserving greater snow geese), the refuge today provides habitat for waterfowl, wading birds, shorebirds, and song birds as well as other species of wildlife and plants. The refuge also provides wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife photography and observation, interpretation, and environmental education.

For more information about Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: 

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Chincoteague/about.html

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday thru 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.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $400/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 each refuge 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.  

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,638.89) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment 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. 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. This could include gaining experience in a variety of conservation fields and/or shadowing different work groups.

Primary Duties include:

• GIS mapping of invasive plants using a rapid protocol established in the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region
• Searching for new infestations (Early Detection Rapid Response)- methods may vary by refuge
• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws). Work may be conducted by canoe or kayak (e.g., pulling water chestnut).
• Application of General Use Pesticides
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys, refuge festivals, and other refuge events.

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 Invasive Species Mapping and Management Interns may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat, high humidity, 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.  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. 
• U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• A valid driver’s license, insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request), and personal vehicle to travel between the three work locations
• Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Able to walk and stand for long periods
• Able to physically pull or remove invasive plants with hand tools
• Familiarity with GPS and iPads
• Able to ensure the quality of the data collected
• Willingness to apply General Use Pesticides with use of appropriate safety equipment, and training in the safe handling of General Use Pesticides
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to live communally in a clean and respectful manner
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects, heat, humidity, rain
• Willingness to participate in training in the mapping as well as pesticide use and safety

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position.
• Interest in restoring native habitat; ability and willingness to work in dense vegetation in hot and humid conditions.

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Full-Time. Job Tags: Invasive Species. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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