American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Maintenance Crew Members to contribute to refuge maintenance projects alongside Okefenokee NWR staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: February 17, 2025

End Date: February 13, 2026

**52-week commitment required - flexibility with start and end date**

Location Details/Description: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge - Folkston, GA

For more information about Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE members will have the opportunity to learn about different careers in the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and assist the maintenance division to sustain a wide variety of unique habitat and recreational canoe and boat trails throughout the refuge. The ACE member will join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects such as maintaining canoe and boat trails, walking trails, boardwalks and roads, monitoring day use and overnight platforms, composting toilets, and maintaining boats, equipment, tools and other facilities in an efficient, effective, and safe manner.

The members will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following:

• Trim brush and remove debris such as: floating and submerged logs, fallen trees, peat blowups and vegetation on approximately 120 miles of water trails. Install, repair and replace trail signs and trail markers along water trails.
• Perform maintenance on 12 composting toilets along 120 miles of water trails. Maintenance includes removing trash, cleaning toilets, pumping sewage from toilets into holding tanks and transporting by boat, then properly disposing of trash and sewage.
• Perform maintenance on 11 overnight and day use platforms, and one overnight cabin along 120 miles of water trails. Maintenance includes repairing and replacing missing, broken and rotten boards, hand rails, steps, roofing, etc.
• Assist with mowing lawns, upland trails, kiosk areas and roads. Install, repair and replace trail signs, trail markers and road signs along hiking trails, boardwalks and roads.
• Trim brush and remove debris, on and around 21 Refuge bridges. Applies approved herbicide to control vegetation, and replaces damaged or missing signs for each bridge.
• Maintain Refuge vehicles, outboard motors, boats, trailers, weed eaters, chainsaws, brush cutters, pumps, aquatic trail cutter, hand tools, lawn mowers, agriculture tractors, skid steers, backhoes and various implements.  
• Work with Volunteer Groups and other staff to perform maintenance on boat and canoe trails, walking trails, boardwalks, roads and other Refuge facilities.

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 6:30am - 5pm, four days a week (4-10s). Bi-weekly totals typically will 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 evenings.  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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $750/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: ACE members will be responsible for securing their own housing. The member will receive a $250/week housing stipend to offset the cost of rent and utilities..

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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.

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 three-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. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: usaconservation dot org.

Preferred

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED
• Proficient at operating and maintaining outboard boats, up to 20’ in length with outboard motors up to 40 horsepower.
• Proficient at operating and maintaining Ag Tractors, Skid Steers, Forklifts and Backhoes rated up to 120 HP. Equipment will be used with the following implements: bush hog mowers, disc harrows, blades, buckets, grapple rakes, forks, masticating heads and other specialty attachments.
• Skilled at towing utility, gooseneck and boat trailers.
• Skilled in the operation of gas powered tools such as: Chainsaws, Weed Eaters, Pole Saws, Hedgers, Riding Lawn Mowers, Pumps, Off Road Utility Vehicles, Etc.
• Knowledge in the use of winches, come-a-longs, tow straps, cables and other rigging equipment.
• Basic knowledge in carpentry, plumbing, electrical, painting, gas powered tool repair, welding and fabrication.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires 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. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• 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 25 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor work  includes office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise is to be expected such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic, or outside such as wildlife and effects from weather.
• Travel: This position may require domestic 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 and/or ACE, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.