Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Members to contribute to invasive species mapping and removal efforts alongside Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: February 2025
Estimated End Date: April/May 2025 (depending on start date)
*a 10 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 400 hours*

Location Details/Description: Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, AZ

With 803,418 acres of designated wilderness area , Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge offers wonderful opportunities to explore the wild Sonoran Desert. Nicknamed “The Green Desert”, the Sonoran Desert is the most biodiverse desert in the world and is home to at least 60 species of mammals, more than 350 bird species, 20 amphibians, some 100 reptiles, and about 30 species of native fish. In addition, more than 2,000 species of plants have been identified in the Sonoran Desert. As a part of the Sonoran Desert Biosphere Reserve, the refuge contains some of the purest Sonoran Desert ecosystems in the world.

For more information about Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the USFWS 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 at Cabeza Prieta NWR. 

This treatment project is a continuation of 2024’s mapping and pulling efforts throughout the town of Ajo, AZ. Stinknet has been a growing problem within the town of Ajo, and a growing concern for spread onto the refuge. Efforts in 2024 and continuing into 2025 seek to contain the species to minimal, manageable populations within the town itself.

Primary duties include:

• Identification and manual removal of stinknet (pulling by hand or using hand tools to aid), then bagging and transporting plants to the landfill. 
• Mapping populations of stinknet within internal and external mapping platforms using Fieldmaps, Avenza, and ArcGIS pro. 
• Traveling on foot  to each population of Stinknet mapped in the 2024 season, removing as they go. Focus will be on the outskirts of Ajo and repeating treatments within the hot zone, but will likely involve visiting every population mapped in 2024 for treatment. This will involve surveying along the US Mexico border (members will be escorted by Law Enforcement in these cases).
• Decontaminating/washing vehicles following removal work to prevent spread of invasives.

Please note that handling stinknet can cause allergic reactions (respiratory/dermal) in some individuals, personal protective equipment (PPE) will be provided as needed. 

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 to 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.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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 usaconservation website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes field clothing, hiking shoes/boots, outdoor packs, or similar items, 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 will include invasive species identification local to the region, and procedures for removal and decontamination.

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:

• 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 valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks 
• 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 usaconservation website.
• Willingness and ability to hike through rough terrain and work outdoors in inclement weather.

Preferred:

• Individuals fluent in both Spanish and English are highly encouraged to apply.
• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, botany, or natural resource management.
• Ability and willingness to learn plant identification skills
• Deep interest in the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
  
  

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent 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. 
• 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 30 pounds, ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique 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, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.