Wildlife Monitoring Fellow - Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Wildlife Monitoring Fellow to contribute to a remote camera project monitoring the endangered Buena Vista Lake ornate shrew under the mentorship of Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: 04/21/2025 (somewhat flexible)
Estimated End Date: 12/06/2025
*a 33-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Delano, CA

The Kern National Wildlife Refuge was established on November 18, 1960 and consists of 11,249 acres of natural desert uplands, a relict riparian corridor, and developed marsh. The visitor center and office complex opened in late 1999. The refuge headquarters is at the junction of Garces Highway and Corcoran Road. Situated on the southern margin of what was once the largest freshwater wetland complex in the western United States, Kern Refuge provides optimum wintering habitat for migratory birds with an emphasis on waterfowl and waterbirds. 

Through restoration and maintenance of native habitat diversity, the refuge preserves a remnant of the historic valley uplands in the San Joaquin Desert, an ecosystem known to provide habitat for several endangered species. Approximately 8,200 visitors annually participate in refuge programs ranging from wildlife viewing to waterfowl hunting.

For more information about Kern National Wildlife Refuge 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 Kern National Wildlife Refuge Complex. This position will help promote the FWS mission through monitoring for the endangered Buena Vista Lake ornate shrew (Sorex ornatus relictus) in refuge uplands. Using remote wildlife cameras, the fellow will assess the effects of distance to water and local site characteristics on shrew populations. So far, this study has detected shrews up to 1 mile away from water, which is the furthest known distance on record for this species. The fellow will use seasonal occupancy models and ArcGIS to estimate seasonal habitat associations and map seasonal detections.  

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.

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

• Field camera checks and camera baiting 
• Photo tagging and data management
• Seasonal shrub and ground cover surveys
• Temperature data logger analysis
• Single-season occupancy models
• Aerial imagery analysis 
• Spatial mapping with ArcGIS
• Reporting and presenting seasonal results 
• Assisting with other monitoring efforts as time allows which may include:
• San Joaquin kit fox (Vulpes macrotis) camera monitoring
• Waterbird surveys
• Blunt-nosed leopard lizard (Gambelia sila) surveys
• Tipton kangaroo rat (Dipodomys nitratoides nitratoides) trapping
• Vegetation surveys (rare plant and invasive weeds)
• Invasive weed chemical removal

Schedule: Duties will typically be carried out between 7 AM and 4:30 PM PST, Monday - Friday. Work hours may vary due to extreme heat. 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. 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 $680/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.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in 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 hiking boots, work pants, backpack, 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. 

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 website. 
• Ability to work independently in harsh environments, including intense Central Valley heat and muddy conditions, around biting insects and venomous snakes
• Experience spending long hours in the field performing biological surveys, either with a team or independently
• Ability to contribute positively to a team under dynamic field conditions 
• Experience with RStudio and ArcGIS
• Strong writing and reporting skills 
• Ability to manage large datasets 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 
• A personal vehicle is required for off-duty hours due to the distance of housing to office and stores

Preferred:

• Experience working with remote wildlife field cameras and/or iButton temperature/humidity loggers
• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an Master of Science degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology or a related discipline;
• Knowledge of Central California flora and fauna; 
• Ability to follow biological protocols and procedures;
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions;
• Commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and on time;
• Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting;
• Experience and certification with: UTV/ATV or similar heavy equipment;
• Experience navigating to field sites with geospatial technologies such as GPS and Avenza;
• Experience following protocols in support of biological surveys.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as hiking long distances over hot, wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment and 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: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Primarily outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. When  indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.  

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on our website.Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager, Saige Ruleau. 

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO:  Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.