Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Wildlife Biology Support and Invasive Species Member to work alongside Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge staff and partners to help with a project focused on managing native and non-native fauna, with an emphasis on large reptiles, in Boynton Beach, FL.

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

Start Date: January/February 2025
Estimated End Date: May/June 2025
*a 18-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 720 hours*

Location Details/Description: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, Florida.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 145,000 acres of Everglades ecosystems including a mosaic of wet prairies, sawgrass ridges, sloughs, tree islands, cattail communities, and a 400-acre cypress swamp. These lands provide habitat — food, water, shelter, and space — for more than 250 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of butterflies, and 20 types of mammals. The refuge also provides habitat and protection for endangered and threatened wildlife such as the American alligator, snail kite, and wood stork. Migratory birds such as neotropical songbirds, secretive marsh birds, shorebirds, raptors, and waterfowl winter at the refuge, along with a great variety of year-round resident wading birds and other wildlife.

For more information about Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, 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 Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Assisting Refuge staff and cooperating partners with the control of invasive and nuisance species. (100%)
• Conducting intensive surveys for Burmese pythons and other invasive reptiles/animals and coordinating with the local invasive species control community. 
• Surveying, monitoring, and removing large non-native reptile species.
• Monitoring activities include spotlight surveys that are conducted at night. Night surveys will be conducted most weeks.
• Data management duties related to the project will also be assigned.

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: This position is part-time, with the member expected to work either two 5-hour days or one 10-hour day per week. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 10 hours. Duties will primarily be carried out between Monday and Friday. A flexible work schedule will be required, as work may occur on weekends or holidays.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 8-10 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $200/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes hiking boots, backpack, rain gear, work pants, jacket, 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 large reptile identification and removal, native wildlife and plant identification, invasive plant identification, defensive driving, cyber security, etc.

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.

• Members must live locally to refuge. 

• 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.
• Able and willing to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor (ie hot, humid, and buggy conditions).
• Ability to operate independently and in remote areas and willingness to work varying hours including weekends.
• Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved
• Proficient in English and carries good communication skills. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website on usaconservation dot org. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor degree in Environmental Studies, Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, or other related field of study appropriate to this position
• Experience in biological fieldwork, equipment maintenance, the use of handheld GPS units, and operating ATVs and trucks
• Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports
• Familiarity with geographic information system (GIS), aerial photography and survey techniques, and global positioning systems (GPS)
• Ability to communicate in writing in order to assist in the preparation of wildlife management survey summaries
• Knowledge of south Florida wildlife and plant species (native and/or non-native)
• Experience accurately managing associated data and working with the public

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, and camp overnight under field conditions. Required to drive and/or walk on levees and in other remote areas at night while conducting surveys.
• 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 40 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.
• 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. South Florida has average temperatures in the 80s-90s during the summer months, with rainfall almost daily. This individual placement will require much time outdoors, in hot, humid, and buggy conditions. Field work is often done in remote areas, including wetlands. This project will largely focus on surveys for large, non-native reptiles (e.g., pythons and Nile monitors) and native prey species (small mammals, native reptiles, etc.).

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.