Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is seeking TWO Wildlife Biology and Forestry Members to contribute to the biological and forestry surveys alongside Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit our usaconservation website: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1164659 

Start Date: 4/7/2025
Estimated End Date: 9/20/2025
*a 24-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 960 hours*

Location Details/Description: Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge - McBee, South Carolina

The refuge was established on March 17, 1939 to provide habitat for migratory birds, to demonstrate sound management practices that enhance natural resource conservation, and to provide wildlife-oriented recreation opportunities. Located in the Sandhills region of South Carolina, the Carolina Sandhills NWR is one of the Southeast’s premier sites for viewing the longleaf pine/wiregrass ecosystem and comprises 45,348 acres in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Numerous small creeks and tributaries, along with thirty man-made lakes and ponds and 1,200 acres of fields, support a diversity of habitats for wildlife.

For more information about Carolina Sandhills 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 Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge.

The Biology and Forestry Member focuses on youth development, natural resource stewardship and conservation, creating positive community involvement and career exploration. Participants gain a variety of experiences from biological monitoring to facilities maintenance and visitor services. Conducting biological monitoring surveys, shadowing biologists, foresters and natural resources managers, landscaping, sign and trail maintenance, community engagement, staffing a visitor center and assisting with educational programs are all examples of the types of experiences these Corps members may have depending on the refuge and the particular needs of the station.

Primary Duties:

Support the Refuge biologist during Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) nesting season (April, May, and early June).  Duties include: 

• Monitoring RCW nests; 
• Conducting behavioral observations on adult and juvenile RCWs; 
• Using an iPad and ArcGIS Field Maps to record data and tree locations; 
• Assessing condition, painting and tagging cavity trees; 
• Assisting with Nightjar, Breeding Bird, and Acoustic Bat surveys; and 
• Maintaining vehicles and equipment in working order. 

Beginning in June, the interns will also gain experience performing forestry tasks alongside the Refuge forester. Duties include:  

• Conducting forest inventories, including GPS and GIS technology and the integrated application of forest management software; 
• Collecting ecological and timber-related forest metrics to develop timber-harvest prescriptions, including volumetric measures required for harvest accountability; and 
• Marking timber, harvest planning, monitoring and evaluation.   

Other duties may include:

• Assisting with recreation events such as a Kids Fishing Day and tour groups; 
• Conducting Bobwhite Quail whistling cock surveys;  
• Mourning dove trapping and banding; and  
• Additional opportunities at the Pee Dee NWR near Wadesboro, NC.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote 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, or on a 4-day 10-hour schedule, with flexible scheduling between primary hours. 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.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may potentially be eligible for an 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2024/25 grant year program, valued up to $3,697.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 900hrs. 

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

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 see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility. 

Housing: ACE members will be provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing provided is in a four bedroom, three bathroom bunkhouse with shared kitchen, living, and laundry facilities.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots/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. The position may offer ATV/UTV training by USFWS.

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 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. 
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, natural resources, environmental education, forestry, biology, etc.
• Previous experience or a strong interest in learning about habitat management, wildlife management, and/or forestry.
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff
• Ability to work independently
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects, heat, humidity, rain, etc. 
• This position requires adaptability, as work plans can change at the last minute. Ideal candidates will be able to multitask and shift priorities to meet changing conditions.

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. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 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 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.