Position Title:  Wildlife Monitoring Individual Placement – AmeriCorps

(2 Openings)

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico

Site Location: Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge

611 NM HWY 161, Watrous, NM 87753 

Terms of Service:

• Start Date: 4/07/25
• End Date: 10/03/25
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours  

Purpose:

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, protect clean air and water, and help to mitigate the effects of climate change among other environmental efforts.

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)

As part of Conservation Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.

Mentorship

These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; provide an introduction to numerous pathways within the conservation field; and create accessible, meaningful, learning opportunities and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) National Wildlife Refuge System is to conserve, manage, and restore fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats, as well as provide quality wildlife-dependent recreational opportunities that foster wildlife conservation for the enjoyment of future generations.

Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established on September 27, 2012, when the 4,224-acre former Wind River Ranch was donated by E. V. Thaw Charitable Trust to FWS. Since being established, the Refuge’s focus has been to create a site for ecological restoration, native species, conservation research, education of local youth, and to provide a place where people can come together and form solutions to counter degrading ecological systems. The Refuge has strong partnerships with agencies, tribes, universities, local schools, and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) to conduct work on the refuge and conservation area.

There will be two Wildlife Monitoring Individual Placements. Each individual placement will their own separate focus: 

1) Wildlife Crossing Monitoring - The Individual Placement will help collect, maintain and analyze data on wildlife crossings and movement, specifically focusing on areas near and around the Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge Boundary fence. This information is essential in determining the appropriate fence for encouraging safe wildlife crossings and evaluating the success of wildlife-friendly fencing.  

This project will also help inform our partners, adjacent landowners and the surrounding conservation area on how to create safe wildlife crossings, while still maintaining a bison herd within the refuge boundary. The Pueblo of Pojoaque manages an active bison herd within the refuge boundary and monitoring the newly installed fence is required to immediately evaluate success and ensure that the fence is effective.

2) Endangered Species Habitat and Population Monitoring - The Individual Placement will assess the success of the riparian restoration along two miles of the Mora River by surveying for the endangered New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse. Participants will identify locations of the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse using track plates and define habitat conditions in restoration areas. They will also work with refuge staff and partners to assess the habitat and population data to determine future habitat management goals and objectives for this endangered species on the refuge. This will also provide valuable information and aid in the recovery of this endangered species.

As available, Individual Placements will be able to assist staff within the Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex with Playa lake management, irrigation, and farming at Las Vegas and Maxwell NWRs; Playa vegetation monitoring; grassland and forage assessments; riparian restoration along the Mora River; wildlife surveys (elk, waterbird/waterfowl, etc); Refuge hunting program: develop outreach materials, check-in and out with hunters, etc.; occasional landscaping, maintenance of trail and picnic areas, general facility improvements and janitorial duties; wildlife camera monitoring project at Rio Mora NWR; forage assessments to determine forage production available for bison at Rio Mora NWR.

Description of Duties:

• Collect Wildlife Monitoring Data
  • Assist staff with selecting and mapping wildlife camera locations. Utilize UTV to safely drive to locations.
  • Use tools to safely install and maintain wildlife cameras.
  • Work with supervisor to be trained on ArcGIS Online and Survey123. Use ArcGIS Online and Survey123 to locate and record site locations and associated meta data.
  • Keep organized records of collected camera data. Prepare data for analysis and sorting.
  • Monitor and oversee construction of wildlife-friendly fence along the 16-mile refuge boundary.
• Sort and analyze wildlife monitoring data
  • Follow protocol for sorting and preparing wildlife crossing and endangered species data for data analysis.
  • Follow protocol, attention to detail.
  • Prepare reports and presentations.
• Conduct Endangered Species Habitat and Population Surveys
  • Identify and determine survey location sites, using ArcGIS Online supported devices.
  • Check the track plates daily, collect track plate sheets and record relevant data.
  • Review and analyze track plate data to help determine species presence.
  • Survey and assess riparian habitat.

Trainings Provided:

• ArcGIS Online, ArcCollector, I-Pad relevant to position
• UTV training, Defensive Driving, 4WD off-road driving
• Camera instructions, Microsoft Excel, Program R relevant to position
• Wildlife identification and habitat survey techniques

Working Conditions: Uneven terrain; hiking off-trail/unmarked paths; slippery/wet conditions; hot and humid conditions; mosquitos and poison ivy; dangerous wildlife (rattlesnakes, cougars and bears); driving on rocky terrain. Related to computer work – back, neck, shoulder, eye, arm, hand strain, headache.

Qualifications:

• Per federal grant requirements, this position is for young adults between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service.
• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Valid U.S Driver’s License - Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years.
• Personal vehicle for transportation outside of service hours.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Driving trucks with 4WD
• GIS experience

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization
• Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the FWS and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all
• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work

Safety and Judgment: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high
• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,447.50
• Living Allowance of $600 per week
• Free onsite housing provided
• Supply fund $500
• Travel/training fund $2,000
• Eligible for Healthcare Coverage
• Childcare Coverage if Eligible
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible
• Public Lands Corps Certificate available upon completion of term (that allows for competitive hiring for USA jobs/government jobs) 

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.