Visitor Services Support Member, Huron Wetland Management District (WMD)

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 member to contribute to visitor use and public outreach projects under the mentorship of Huron Wetland Management District (WMD) Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: October 2026 (Flexible)
Estimated End Date: July 2027 (Flexible)

*a 40 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1600 hours*

Location Details/Description: Huron Wetland Management District, Wolsey, SD

The Huron Wetland Management District was established to protect and enhance wetlands and grasslands. District staff are responsible for managing scattered tracts of lands called Waterfowl Production Areas for waterfowl, shorebirds, and other species of wildlife. Waterfowl Production Areas are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, wildlife photography, wildlife observation, environmental education, and interpretation. The Huron Wetland Management District has an active easement acquisition program that partners with willing landowners to preserve important wildlife habitats on private lands.

The Huron Wetland Management District manages 17,683 acres of fee title waterfowl production areas and numerous conservation easements in the world renowned prairie pothole region. The prairie pothole region is named for the millions of depressional wetlands dispersed throughout the landscape. Waterfowl rely on its many wetlands during spring and fall migration for feeding and resting, as well as raising their young during the summer months

For more information, 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. 

The ACE member will assist FWS staff with designing and setting up the new office for visitor use and public outreach. Working with regional and local staff, the ACE member will design and help install interpretive displays. This member will work with the local Friends group on public outreach and visitor services projects at the station. They will also aid with the station’s and Friends’ groups websites, the Friends’ groups Facebook page and help with other social media opportunities. Other tasks include helping update the trail signs and organizing and labeling the outreach material.

Specific tasks may include:

• Staffing the front desk, greeting visitors, answering visitor questions, answering phones
• Design interpretive displays for the new visitor center and kiosks
• Meet with the Friends group on a regular basis to increase FWS presence and provide more support
• Assist the Friends group with a minimum of 2 events
• Help the station and Friends group update their websites and the Friends group Facebook page
• Publish weekly posts on the Friends group FB page
• Work with the Friends Group president on a membership drive
• Clean out, organize, and label outreach material
• Update trail signs
• Other administrative tasks related to outreach or refuge support
• Additional outreach activities, such as speaking with school groups,as needed
• Maintenance related tasks, such as mowing, weedeating, etc. around buildings and other USFWS properties

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: Duties will typically be carried out between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Central Time, Monday - Friday, typically 5 days/week (5/8s) with flexibility up to 10 hours/day or for weekend and evening events. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Therefore, a flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $850/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.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have up to $1,100 to be used for eligible relocation expenses to be split at the beginning and end of the term. Eligible relocation expenses for this position include mileage, hotels, meals, etc., and must have a receipt for reimbursement. Additional expenses must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, socks, boots, work pants, outerwear, sunglasses, office supplies/needs, 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 Defensive Driving, ATV/UTV, Aerial Surveys for Wetland Easement Monitoring.

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas. 
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE’s insurance and liability requirements.
• 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. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position hold a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in the natural resources field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resource management, GIS, data management, wildlife biology, and/or other related disciplines related to this position.
• Knowledge of data management, data entry, and data summarization
• Experience using various data management software: Microsoft Excel, AGOL, ArcPro
• Deep interest in wildlife conservation and the USFWS mission.

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.
• 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 10 lbs., ability to move up to 25 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.