Job Description

Invasive Species Members (2) – Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

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.

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 TWO (2)  Invasive Species Members to assist the USFWS with invasive plant management duties at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona.

Start Date: 08/22/2022

End Date: 05/26/2023

**40-week commitment required**

Location: Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Ajo, AZ

Located in southwest Arizona, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1939 as a Game Range “for the conservation and development of natural wildlife resources”. In March of 1975, Cabeza Prieta Game Range was re-established as Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and became part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Encompassing 860,000 acres, CPNWR provides valuable habitat for Sonoran Desert wildlife. In 1990, the passage of the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act designated 803,418 acres (93 percent) of CPNWR as wilderness. It is the ancestral homeland of the Hia C-ed O’odham.

For more information about Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and their resources visit:  https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cabeza_prieta/

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 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 $399/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: The ACE member 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 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($3,172.50) 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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

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.

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

• Invasive Plant Management: Applying herbicide to treat non-native invasive plants including stinknet, buffelgrass and Sahara mustard
• Invasive Plant Surveying: Surveying areas for invasive species including early detection of stinknet on and around refuge lands
• Using Collector for ArcGIS to record treatment data and monitoring
• Operating 4WD government trucks and UTV’s
• Educating the public on invasive and native plant and animal species; excellent opportunities exist to engage and inform the local community on resource management issues at the Refuge.

Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over uneven and rough surfaces in hot conditions; 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 heat in southern Arizona can be intense. If you have a history of heat stroke, please consider whether this is a good position for you to apply for due to health risks. Daytime temperatures are generally between 85 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures occasionally rising over 100 degrees Fahrenheit even in the spring months. Local hazards include rattlesnakes, bees, and rough, uneven terrain. 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 hike and work in hot conditions on rough, uneven terrain.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences
• Ability to speak to the public
• Able and willing to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions, especially hot outdoor conditions
• Capable of participating in sustained physical labor including ability to frequently push, pull, and lift 40 lbs
• Ability to operate independently and in remote areas
• Competent in Microsoft Office

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, wildlife management, natural resource management, parks and recreation, rangeland management, other related disciplines appropriate to the position. A COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCE IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE. Resume and Cover Letter must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience needed, as defined in this announcement.

• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps
• Skills and ability to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in the field or office setting
• Skill in maintaining and safely operating motorized vehicles and specialized equipment including: highway vehicles, backpack sprayers, weed eaters, etc
• Experience and/or knowledge with GPS equipment
• Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies

How to Apply

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

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