Summary:
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Member to support the FWS Science Applications with IT services. The Member will assist with database management, website development/design, development of SharePoint sites and Microsoft Power Apps, and information management.  

For more information, please visit the ACE website at usaconservation dot org. 

Start Date: October/November 2024
Estimated End Date: October/November 2025
*a 52-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Regional Office - Lakewood, CO

The Mountain-Prairie Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service works cooperatively with the Department of Defense, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, and various state agencies to provide management of fish, wildlife and forest resources for the Mountain-Prairie region. Together with our partners, we are involved in natural resource management projects across Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota, to accomplish restoration and conservation actions for Federal and State protected and trust species. .

For more information, please visit Mountain Prairie US Fish and Wildlife website. 

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission for the Mountain-Prairie regional programs.

The Member will support FWS Staff with:

Scientific data management

• Leading an effort to update internal and external information and communication technology (ICT) resources (websites, Microsoft SharePoint sites, Power Apps, e.g.) that ensure compliance with Section 508 accessibility requirements, internal best practices, and current Executive Orders.
• Entering data into existing databases, conducting database management and updates, QA/QC, running reports, and training additional staff as needed (training provided as needed) 
• Developing and maintaining metadata in alignment with Service policies and guidance
• Performing routine and recurring assignments in the delivery of internet and intranet content services
• Development of web-based tools to support document tracking in a hybrid work environment
• Completing assignments independently or in support of higher graded specialists
• Diagnosing and resolving problems in response to customer needs
• Reporting, responding to, and resolving customer requests 
• Discussing requirements with the customer to resolve the customer need
• Ensuring application of information security/information assurance policies, principles, and practices in the delivery of customer support services

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday.  Bi-weekly totals will not exceed 80 hours.  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 ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org. 

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

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. 

Scholarship Funding Opportunity:  The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE’s Access and Inclusion Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship  which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships are available. 

Qualifications 

Required:

• Experience and/or education in IT, database, GIS and/or coding.
• 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. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID’s upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-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. 
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website at usa conservation dot org.

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 information technology, data and database management, website development and content management, and computer programming.
• Knowledge of Microsoft 360 program and apps and website content management systems.
• Ability and willingness to learn how to use Drupal Content Management System, and the use of Microsoft 360 Power Apps.
• Deep interest in the use of technology to support natural resource conservation efforts and workflow processes.
  
  

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting and/or standing, 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. 
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus. 
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. 
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.