Job Description

Invasive Species Member, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge

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 (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Invasive Species Member(s) to assist with mapping and management of invasive species as well as other biological projects alongside Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Staff. 

Start Date: May 30, 2022

End Date: September 16, 2022

(Some flexibility with start and end dates possible)

**16-week commitment required**

Location:  Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Virginia Beach, VA

Back Bay NWR includes a thin strip of barrier island coastline typical of the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, as well as upland areas on the west bank of Back Bay. Habitats include beach, dunes, woodlands, agricultural fields, and emergent freshwater marshes. The majority of refuge marshes are on islands within the waters of Back Bay.

Thousands of tundra swans, snow and Canada geese and a large variety of ducks visit the refuge during the fall/winter migration. Refuge waterfowl populations usually peak during December and January. The refuge also provides habitat for other wildlife, including such threatened and endangered species as the loggerhead sea turtle, piping plover and recently recovered species like the brown pelican and bald eagle.

Back Bay NWR provides over eight miles of scenic trails, a Visitor Center, interpretive programming and, with advance scheduling, group educational opportunities. These amenities are located in Virginia Beach, Virginia, immediately south of Sandbridge beach at the southern end of Sandpiper Road. Additionally, a seasonally open kayak/canoe launch facility, Horn Point, provides a spot on the northwest side of Back Bay to kayak, canoe, fish and enjoy a scenic view of the bay.

For more information about Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, please visit 

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

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday-Friday.  Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours.  A flexible work schedule will be required, which involves work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends to adjust for weather impacts.  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: 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.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,678.57) 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.

Members will primarily assist with mapping and management of invasive plants. Members may travel to nearby refuges to assist with work. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in other activities on the refuge. 

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 chain saws). 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 member may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, wet and windy weather, rocky terrain, muddy, swamp, or wetland conditions, biting insects, dense vegetation, poison ivy, pollen, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Hazards also include mixing herbicides according to product labels, trailering a UTV, loading and unloading the UTV, and operating battery powered hand tools including saws, drills, etc. 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, an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request), and a personal vehicle.
• 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
• Ensure quality of the data collected
• Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
• Willingness to apply General Use Pesticides with use of appropriate safety equipment, and training in the safe handling of General Use Pesticides
• 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

• Holding or pursuing a 2-year college degree (education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject preferred)
• Familiarity with GPS and iPads
• Ensure quality of the data collected
• Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
• 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

How to Apply

Job Categories: LGBT. Job Types: Internship. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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