Kofa Biological Technician - AmeriCorps (1 opening)

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

Site Location: Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (9300 E. 28th St, Yuma, AZ 85365)

Term of Service:

• Start Date: 6/2/2025 (anticipated)
• End Date: 5/29/2026
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: Two 900 hour terms, served back-to-back 

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at Kofa National Wildlife Refuge as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson. 

Partner Agency:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working with others, is responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people through Federal programs relating to migratory birds, endangered species, interjurisdictional fish and marine mammals, and inland sport fisheries. As part of its mission, the USFWS is charged with enforcing Federal Wildlife Laws and Protecting Endangered Species.

The 666,000-acre Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Arizona was established in 1939 for the protection of Desert Bighorn sheep populations and their habitat. The refuge is also one of a few locations with a population of the federally listed Sonoran Pronghorn. Other species found in Kofa include badgers, foxes, ground squirrels, pocket mice, and kangaroo rats. This vast desert environment is home to one of the few native palm tree populations to Arizona, as well as numerous mammal species, the majority of which are nocturnal and forage at night while the temperatures is cooler. The Refuge is headquartered in Yuma, Arizona.

Description of Duties:

The Biological Technician intern will assist the Refuge staff with daily operations through a variety of tasks on the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge (Kofa NWR). The majority of work on the Refuge revolves around managing habitat and water resources for the Desert Bighorn sheep and the Sonoran Pronghorn, which includes removal of invasive species, construction, and repair of water catchments, hauling water to catchments and wildlife drinkers, and educating the public about these species and the Refuge in general.

Kofa NWR also supports a large, designated wilderness (547,719 acres), which requires monitoring for and correction of illegal wilderness incursions by vehicles. Other duties will be to assist with NEPA documentation, wilderness reporting, and data management for the extensive camera trap project on the Refuge. Professional development funds are available to assist the intern with career and educational development during their term.

Training that will be provided includes 4x4 driving, trailer use, basic map reading skills, GPS navigation, safety communication, fieldwork safety, native plant identification, invasive plant ID and removal techniques, water facility measurement expectations, pronghorn animal husbandry, bird and bat ID, tortoise surveying, best practices for safe public interactions, FWS policy on social media, Survey123, restoration techniques, and Introduction to Minimum Requirements Analysis and NEPA process.

Housing is available for the intern during their term.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Monitor and measure water resources by documenting max depth and estimating volume where appropriate. Record water level data in the Kofa Water Resource database, report low water levels and any maintenance needs to Kofa Biologist.
• Maintain water resources by completing minor repairs to water facilities such as fixing float valves, clearing pipes, cleaning collection points, and turning windmills off or on.
• Drive water trailers to water facilities, lay out hoses, and operate pumps to deliver water.
• Assist with Sonoran pronghorn recovery activities by providing care for semi-captive Sonoran pronghorn at the Kofa pen, maintain electrical and barbed wire fencing.
• Feed and water pronghorn, document and report their condition to Kofa Biologist and Arizona Game and Fish Department.
• Assist with pronghorn translocation efforts by setting up and removing capture bomas and release pens. Perform assigned duties for pronghorn capture as described in capture plan.
• Assist with invasive plant surveys, identify invasive plants and report to Kofa Biologist, document in GIS Refuge Management Database.
• Conduct invasive plant eradication by using hand-pulling, tool, and herbicide application methods, document treatment activities in GIS Refuge Management Actions database.
• Assist with annual North American Breeding Bird Survey.
• Assist with bat surveys by documenting exit counts of bats at roost sites through use of night vision equipment.
• Assist with bat mist netting and data collection, document species, measurements, and breeding status. Intern may assist with bat removal from mist nets if they have had rabies vaccine and bat experience.
• Assist with Sonoran Desert tortoise surveys.
• Conduct golden eagle nest surveys using ground observation, record and report nest occupancy according to survey protocol, provide survey forms to Kofa Biologist.
• Conduct public outreach and educational activities at Kofa and at Southwest Arizona National Wildlife Refuge complex, share rules and regulations on Kofa with public through outreach events, via phone and in-person.
• Mitigate OHV intrusions in wilderness area by raking out vehicle tracks, installing rock barriers, mulching, and sign installation, record wilderness violations using GIS database.
• Conduct at least one interpretive hike at Palm Canyon.
• Assist with social media outreach such as Facebook and Instagram.
• Review, update, and draft environmental compliance documents and Minimum Requirements Decision Guide with assistance from Kofa Biologist.
• Assist with herbarium specimen voucher preparation and collection organization.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

• Applicants should be pursuing or have recently completed an undergraduate degree in biology or a related field; or possess a strong interest in natural resource management, regardless of area of study.
• Applicants should be physically able to work in conditions requiring physical exertion that may be moderately strenuous in nature, including long hours in the field, and hiking over rough and uneven ground up to six miles or more during extremely hot periods that may exceed 110 ̊ F.
• Must be “competent without supervision” in the use of GPS and orienteering/compass skills.
• Basic level of camping knowledge is required.
• Community engagement experience.
• Self-motivated and able to work both independently and in a small group with limited supervision after initial training period; must be capable of performing well in an office setting, as well as the field.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Knowledge of 4wd vehicle operation is required.
• Candidate must have their own vehicle for personal use. The position’s housing location is not remote, but it is a few miles to the nearest grocery store or services.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong desire to learn new skills.
• Attention to detail and organizational skills.

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. Applicants should be physically able to work in conditions requiring physical exertion that may be moderately strenuous in nature, including long hours in the field, and hiking over rough and uneven ground up to six miles or more during extremely hot periods that may exceed 110 ̊ F. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. Flexibility is necessary as some tasks will occur outside of typical hours and on weekends. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 with successful completion of each 900 hour AmeriCorps term (total of $7,395.00 for this position).
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.

• Additional Benefit of $200 per week.
• Public Lands Corps Certificate*
• Healthcare Coverage provided by The Corps Network and Cigna
• Childcare Coverage
• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Background Check:

A Department of the Interior (DOI) background clearance will be initiated prior to the selected intern’s start day, however, obtaining a PIV card is not necessary prior to starting. The USFWS will provide instructions for the DOI background clearance process.

Interns will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Interns must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

This position reports to Paul Sitzmann, Refuge Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://azcorps.org/ip-positions.

If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.