Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one Member to contribute to biology and habitat projects alongside FWS North Florida Refuges Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit our usaconservation website: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1148799 

Start Date: 1/13/2025 *Mid January start date preferred
Estimated End Date: 11/22/2025
*a 45-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1800 hours

Location Details/Description: North Florida Refuges Complex - The primary location/duty station will be  St. Marks, FL. However we are part of a complex of 4 refuges, also including Lower Suwannee, Cedar Keys, and St. Vincent, which may also be worked at, though only rarely in certain seasons (not likely to exceed a total of 30 work days for the entire position).

The duty station, St. Marks NWR: The Refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. It is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses over 83,000+ acres spread out between Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor counties, and includes about 43 miles along the Gulf Coast of northwest Florida. The Refuge includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers, and is home to a diverse community of plant and animal life. The Refuge also has strong ties to a rich cultural past, and is home to the St. Marks Lighthouse, which was built in 1842 (current tower) and is still in use today. 

For more information about North Florida Refuges Complex, 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. This position will help FWS realize that mission at North Florida Refuges Complex.

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.

Primary duties may include:

• Resource monitoring of the frosted flatwoods salamander. This would entail working with crews to conduct a complete survey of all the known ponds as well as searching for new ponds, or it may entail completing a subset surveying of all ponds and a more thorough pond search across the Refuge.
  
  
• Habitat monitoring for the frosted flatwoods salamander (which may include assisting with feral hog impact monitoring as well). The ACE member would conduct vegetation/duff/water surveys of all known ponds (habitat quality metrics are to be discussed at a salamander land manager’s meeting in early June 2024). The ACE member may work with the biologist to draft up a document comparing occupied versus unoccupied ponds. If time allows, the  member could also help update maps to discern the differences between occupied, active, or inactive clusters that are in low, medium, or high quality habitat, which would be added to and discussed in the yearly salamander report.
• Habitat management/restoration work for the frosted flatwoods salamander habitat monitoring. The ACE member will help conduct some of the active management on the Refuge that they will be monitoring the impacts of. This will likely be using herbicides or tools to remove dense understory.
• Additional projects may include assisting with monitoring of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker and/or assisting with refuge reports.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday-Friday. The member will likely work a flex schedule (36 hours one week and 44 the next). 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 $530/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 provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes items such as boots and outerwear, 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. 

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. 

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may potentially be eligible for an 1700-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2024/25 grant year program, valued up to $TBD upon successful completion of a complete service term and 1700hrs. 

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. 
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.
• A personal vehicle is required for getting groceries off-site of the Refuge. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology, or a related subject.
• Previous experience with wildlife or habitat surveying techniques.
• Experience in writing scientific reports.
• Experience or willingness to learn how to use ATVs, UTVs, herbicides, or chainsaws.
• Ability and willingness to work in variety of environmental conditions such as heat, humidity, dangerous wildlife, and prevalent insects.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, lifting, 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 or ladders,, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. 
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 
• 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 (provided the individual can pass a defensive driver certification).  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.