Temporary Visitor Services Member – Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
Job Description
Visitor Services Member – Charles M. Russell 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, a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Visitor Services Member to contribute to day to day operations at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center alongside Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Staff. During this term, the ACE member will work on meaningful conservation projects such as staffing the front desk of the Interpretive Center, preparing and presenting interpretive programs, and assisting with the general operations of the Interpretive Center.
Start Date: May 2022 (start date is flexible)
End Date: 16 weeks later (flexible)
**12-week minimum commitment required; 16-week commitment preferred**
Location: Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge-Fort Peck, MT
Together, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge encompass an area of 1.1 million acres that span about 125 air miles along the Missouri River, from the Fort Peck Dam west to the boundary with the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Located within the boundary of CMR Refuge, UL Bend is, in essence, a refuge within a refuge. The Service manages these refuges as one, forming the second largest national wildlife refuge in the lower 48 states.
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge’s expansive badlands, cottonwood river bottoms, forested coulees, sagebrush steppes and mixed-grass prairies appear out of the sea that is the northern Great Plains. Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, sage and sharp-tailed grouse, and bald eagles make the Refuge home. Visitors will find spectacular examples of native prairie, forested coulees, river bottoms, and “breaks” badlands so often portrayed in the paintings of the colorful artist for whom this Refuge is named.Each fall, hundreds of elk congregate in the Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area, creating a spectacle not to be missed.
During their term, the ACE member will assist staff at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center located at the northeast corner of the Refuge. The Interpretive Center is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Interpretive Center highlights the natural history of the Refuge, the construction history of the Fort Peck Dam, and the paleontology of the Hell Creek Formation.
For more information about Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/charles_m_russell/
Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Thursday – Monday. 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 $550/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.
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:
Visitor Services (65%)
- Provide staffing at the front desk with volunteers and FWS and ACE staff.
- Respond to questions and phone calls on a variety of informational and interpretive topics.
- Provide accurate information on recreational activities, nearby attractions, and rules and regulations.
- Provide interpretive information on local plants and wildlife, history, and paleontology.
- Perform opening and closing tasks at the Interpretive Center.
Education, Outreach, and Interpretation (25%)
- Assist in the preparation and presentation of environmental education and interpretive programs for school groups and other visitors.
- Assist in the development and writing of educational activities, field trip presentations, and interpretive programs.
- Perform roving interpretation inside and around the Interpretive Center.
- Assist with education or outreach events on and offsite.
Other Duties as Assigned (10%)
- Assist with general operation and maintenance tasks at the Interpretive Center including organizational, cleaning, and grounds maintenance tasks.
- Assist with pollinator activities including beekeeping and native plant garden maintenance.
- Assist with historical research requests and archiving collection materials.
- Assist field staff with other activities as needed including fence removal, monitoring, or surveys.
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 Visitor Services 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.
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.
Preferred Education
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 natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
Preferred:
- Previous experience working with visitors, students, or campers in a paid position or as a volunteer.
- Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability and willingness to develop and conduct interpretive and educational programs.
- Knowledge of or interest in the flora, fauna, history, and/or geology of northeastern Montana.
- Due to the remote nature of Fort Peck, access to reliable transportation is necessary.
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, Nich Jackosky, njackosky@usaconservation.org, (928) 699-6041. 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.243 total views, 0 today