Partners Coordinator - USFWS Louisiana Ecological Services Office  

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Partners Coordinator to coordinate private lands work for the Gulf Coast Nutria Program alongside FWS staff.

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

Start Date: January 13, 2025
Estimated End Date: January 9, 2026
*Start and end dates are flexible, but a commitment of 52 weeks is required.

Location Details/Description: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Louisiana Ecological Services Office; Lafayette, LA

The USFWS Louisiana Ecological Services Office is located in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries building in Lafayette, LA. The field office emphasizes an ecosystem approach incorporating Strategic Habitat Conservation to address and prioritize habitat issues through partnerships with other federal and state agencies, conservation organizations, private landowners, and citizens to achieve the greatest possible benefits to fish and wildlife.

For more information about the Louisiana Ecological Services Office, please visit the FWS 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. 

The FWS Southeast Invasive Species Program is seeking a Partners Coordinator to oversee coordination with private landowners, refuge managers, and other agencies for the Gulf Coast Nutria Program. This position is part of the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, which offers free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools, and nonprofits that aim to enhance wildlife habitat on their properties. The Gulf Coast Nutria program focuses on managing the invasive nutria (Myocastor coypus), a large semi-aquatic rodent that causes significant harm to Gulf Coast ecosystems and infrastructure through its herbivory, burrowing behavior, and rapid reproduction.

Primary responsibilities for the Partners Coordinator will include coordinating private lands work for the GUlf Coast Nutria Program with Partners for Fish and Wildlife staff, National Wildlife Refuge managers, other ACE members, and other federal and state partners. This position will identify priority areas for nutria control, meet with private landowners and facilitate agreements, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Secondary responsibilities will be assisting with site visits and field work for the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program throughout Louisiana, as time permits.

Training will be provided, including ORUV (ATV/UTV) Certification. Members must be comfortable working outside, and may be exposed to potentially dangerous wildlife and high temperatures in the summer. All required equipment and PPE will be provided.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Coordinating nutria program activities on private, tribal, corporate, school, and nonprofit lands.
• Cultivating positive relationships with landowners while representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Identifying priority areas for nutria removal
• Facilitating landowner agreements
• Conducting site visits to lands enrolled in the nutria program
• Ensuring compliance with environmental regulations

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 (7:30am-4pm). 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 over 8-hour work days and working on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to FWS and ACE for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $850/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. The selected individual will be provided a weekly housing reimbursement of $300/week with proof of housing costs. 

Gear Reimbursement:  ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, pants, outerwear, etc., 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 may include ORUV (ATV/UTV) 

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
• Holds a bachelor’s degree
• 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. 
• 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 usaconservation dot org. 

Preferred:

• Master’s degree or actively pursuing one in Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Studies, Geography, or a related field; or a bachelor’s degree with relevant experience.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively and professionally with diverse individuals.
• Experience working with the public, specifically private landowners, related to conservation projects.
• Proficiency in ArcGIS, especially ArcPro, AGOL, and Field Maps.
• Capability to produce clear and professional written reports.
• Skills in researching, recording, and managing data.
• Genuine interest in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and natural resource management.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 10 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• 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.