Job Description

Summary
American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Loon Monitoring and Management Member Member to contribute to the loon monitoring and management program alongside Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge staff. 

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

Start Date: April 17,  2023
Estimated End Date: September 29, 2023
*24 week commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Umbagog NWR; Errol, NH

Umbagog NWR conserves more than 25,650 acres under Service management. In addition, the states of New Hampshire and Maine have each acquired over 1000 acres in the vicinity of Umbagog Lake. This combination of ownerships and easements protects nearly all of the Umbagog Lake shoreline in New Hampshire and significant lengths of shoreline along the Androscoggin, Magalloway, Dead Cambridge, and Rapid rivers.

For more information regarding the Umbagog NWR, please visit their website at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/umbagog/ 

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will work on meaningful conservation projects to support loon populations. This position requires a flexible schedule that takes full advantage of desirable field conditions, with field work occurring at dawn and dusk, and during weekends.

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

• Follow a standardized protocol to implement the loon monitoring program at Lake Umbagog.   
• Perform on-the-ground inventories and monitoring of loons, analyzes the data and reports the findings; prepares preliminary analysis of impacts on wildlife for inclusion in environmental documents.
• Conduct loon monitoring surveys and managing seasonal closures around sensitive nesting sites, managing data, and preparing an annual summary report. 
• Collect data on: loon territory occupancy, threats to productivity and survivorship, and causes of nest failure.  
• Enter and retrieve data from automated databases for a variety of projects.
• Operate boat operation and require the successful completion of the Dept. of the Interior’s Motorboat Operator’s Certification Course.
• Attend trainings, meetings, and any other miscellaneous duties as assigned and interact respectfully and professionally with the public while performing field work.
• This position is physically demanding as it is primarily performed in the backcountry and in harsh outside environments. Fieldwork and data collection will require the ability of interns to work as a group and individually, often walking long distances during all types of weather conditions, and over uneven terrain.

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.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out primarily Monday thru Friday between the hours of 6:00am to 2:30pm. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, and will involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays, and early mornings and/or late evenings. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

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.

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: 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. 

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, pants, etc., 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 may include interpretive programming, effective community engagement skills, and volunteer management. Professional development opportunities such as cross training days with other divisions and staff,  attending online training and in-person workshops are encouraged.

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. 
• At a minimum must be able to successfully complete the Dept. of the Interior Motorboat Operator’s Certification Course
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member 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 three-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. 
• 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.
• Prior nest searching experience
• Current Dept. of the Interior Motorboat Operator’s Certificate

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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. Indoor work  includes office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise is to be expected such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic, or outside such as wildlife and effects from weather.
• 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 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 and/or ACE, 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: Full-Time. Job Tags: conservation, ecology, environment, natural resources, nonprofit, Research, and wildlife. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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