Job Description

Urban Outreach Support Member – Marais des Cygnes 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 one Urban Outreach Support Member to contribute to urban outreach programming alongside Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge Staff. 

Start Date: April 2022

End Date:  August 2022*

**18-week commitment required**

Location: Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, Pleasanton, KS. 

Work will also be done in Southeast Kansas and potentially at other Refuges in the Complex.

Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1992 for the protection and restoration of bottomland hardwood forests.  Approximately 5,000 acres of the 7,500 acre refuge are available for wildlife oriented recreation including hunting, fishing, and birding.   A wildlife sanctuary encompasses the remaining 2,500 acres of the refuge and is not available for public use. 

For more information about Marais des National Wildlife Refuge, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/marais_des_cygnes/.

Work Schedule: Due to the variety of Outreach events, this position will work an irregular schedule that may include night and will include weekend work.  It will also require interaction with the public in a variety of situations and weather conditions. 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: Housing will be provided at no cost for the duration of the term. The selected individual will have housing available at the refuge bunkhouse on Marais de Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.  

Travel: Most work will be conducted in and around Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge and the Kansas City area. Travel is expected on occasion to assist with work at the other three refuges in Kansas.  Fuel will be provided by the individual refuges.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($2,417.14) 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.

The Urban Outreach Support Member will participate in and potentially lead programs at local libraries, nature centers, parks, and other locations that could be indoors or outside.  The Support Member will also help with setting up and running tables at events and providing activities and information to the public.  The selected candidate may attend meetings and networking opportunities with other related organizations.  The Support Member will also provide suggestions and ideas for expanding partnerships and outreach opportunities.

The Urban Outreach Support Member will also assist and potentially lead activities including kayaking, fishing, and archery both on and off site.  This requires driving with a trailer and setting up and taking down the archery course and loading and unloading the kayak trailer.

The Support Member will develop social media posts for Facebook and potentially articles for the National Wildlife Refuge Complex’s web pages.  Depending on ability the Support Member will also create videos to use on social media.

The Support Member will help develop program ideas for on site programming at Marias des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, integrating new infrastructure that will be installed during the spring/summer as well as activities celebrating the Refuge’s 30th Anniversary.

The Support Member may assist with other projects as needed on site working with other staff members.

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 Urban Outreach Support Member 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. 

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.

• US 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 work closely with the Visitor Services Manager and be flexible in scheduling and activities.
• Experience working with children
• Able to lift and maneuver kayaks and archery targets weighing up to 50 lbs and transport by hand short distances and lift objects over one’s head.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and/or have interest in subject areas such as Environmental education, environmental interpretation, natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Experience working with large groups of people of mixed ages and backgrounds in outdoor/informal situations.
• Basic knowledge of biology and plant/animal identification.
• Public speaking ability.
• Ability to drive hauling a trailer.
• Prior experience with fishing, archery, and/or kayaking.
• Some experience and willingness to do arts/crafts
• Knowledge of video creation/editing.
• Deep interest in interpretation/environmental education and connecting with non-traditional audiences.
• Familiarity with the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area

How to Apply

Job Categories: Equal Opportunities. Job Types: Internship. Job Tags: conservation, Outreach, public lands, and wildlife. Salaries: Less than 20,000.

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