Internship Visitor Services Fellow – USFWS North Atlantic-Appalachian Regional Office
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 nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the USFWS North Atlantic-Appalachian Regional Office in Hadley, Massachusetts, is seeking 1 Visitor Services Intern to work directly with the USFWS staff and assist with a variety of visitor services related tasks, primarily digital media projects, design and planning of exhibits, and other related duties to the visitor services program.
Start Date: ASAP with flexibility to start in March/April
End Date: 52-week commitment required
Location: North Atlantic-Appalachian Regional Office, Hadley, MA
For more information about the USFWS Regional Office, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/
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 $800/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the USFWS.
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:
- Digital Media Projects – 55%
The VS Assistant will primarily assist USFWS employees (regional visitor services team members, refuge managers, biologists, visitor services specialists, law enforcement officers, etc.) in the editing, development and review of digital media to improve the visitor experience, increase awareness of refuges, and ensure our visitors feel welcome. This will include developing printed and digital media such as refuge brochures, flyers, factsheets, and other interpretive media. In addition, the VS assistant will assist refuges with websites and social media platforms. This assistance involves gathering, organizing, and interpreting information, data, literature, and relevant source materials, as well as writing, editing, and reviewing documents. The VS Assistant will also support regional Visitor Services team members and others in helping to ensure, when capable, that templates, policies, regulations, etc. have been followed.
The aforementioned activities require the ability to actively participate on interdisciplinary teams in the development, coordination, and review of digital media. The VS Assistant will help support Visitor Services team members and others with management.
- Exhibit Design and Planning – 30%
The VS Assistant will work with USFWS employees (regional visitor services team members, visitor services managers, park rangers, etc.) and contractors to assist with the development and design of refuge exhibits. Indoor exhibits may include three-dimensional structures, “immersive” environments, panel graphics, and specialized exhibit components such as artifact cases, dioramas, models, interactive devices and programs, audiovisual elements, and exhibit lighting. Outdoor exhibits are extensions of indoor interpretive themes carried to outdoor settings. Interpretive or informational waysides may include complex panel layouts, maps, or tactile elements.
- Data/GIS Analysis
The VS Assistant will work with others (regional visitor services team, refuge managers, GIS specialists, etc) to determine data needs, locate source material, interpret data, and conduct some simple geographic information system (GIS) mapping in support of digital media activities as detailed previously.
- Miscellaneous
The VS Assistant will help with various miscellaneous duties associated with the visitor services program in support of the USFWS mission.
Physical Requirements: Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.
Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The Visitor Services Fellow is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.
Qualifications:
Required
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Must be 18-35 years of age (Interns must be 21-35 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
- A valid driver’s license and a clean driving record are required (documentation to be provided upon request)
- Ability to work alone and in a group
- Proficient in English
- Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
- Wearing the ACE EPIC uniform components
- Knowledge of USFWS mission
- Ability and willingness to think critically
- Deep interest in problem solving
- Good writing and editing skills (ability to interpret in writing, biological data or outdoor recreation information for lay/general public audiences. Ability to write original compositions from baseline information.
- Experience in writing and developing printed and digital media (e.g., brochures, flyers, factsheets, exhibits, and other interpretive media).
- Good organizational skills (tracking actions and information, data management, and files management)
- Basic GIS knowledge and experience, primarily software to generate or update maps
- Knowledge of various forms of outreach materials, and content development for websites and social media sites in a business/professional setting is helpful
- Competitive applicants for this position should hold a minimum of a 2-year degree or a Bachelor’s degree (education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject preferred)
How to Apply
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Division Support Specialist, Claire Barnwell, cbarnwell@usaconservation.org. Vaccination Requirement: ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term. EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.217 total views, 0 today