Summary

Employment Duration 6 months| Employment Status Full time (40 hr/week) | Salary $23.07/hr| Employer Altar Valley Conservation Alliance| Location Details/Description: Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, Yuma, Arizona| October 19, 2026 (flexible)

Altar Valley Conservation Alliance, a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Burn Area Restoration Technician to work alongside Imperial National Wildlife Refuge staff and partners to help with a rehabilitation and revegetation project known as the Refuge Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) Project. The refuge is located 40 miles northeast of Yuma Arizona.

For more information on Altar Valley Conservation Alliance please visit https://altarvalleyconservation.org/

Position Overview: The Burn Area Restoration Technician will assist with the Burn Area Restoration (BAR) Project on the Imperial National Wildlife Refuge which aims to rehabilitate cottonwood/willow and desert thornscrub habitat lost to a wildfire in May 2024. The restoration technician will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff and the BAR Implementation Lead. Primary duties include:

• Assisting Refuge Staff with various restoration/rehabilitation methods (90%)
  • Cut trees/brush using gas powered and heavy equipment
  • Digging and building erosion structures
  • Broadcast seeding and planting seedlings
  • Invasive species management and control using mechanical and chemical (herbicides) methods
  • Operate irrigation systems and complete other related tasks to fulfill the identified project objectives
• Assisting Refuge Staff with wildlife surveys and other habitat monitoring (10%)

Qualifications, Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Required:

• Willing and able to represent USFWS in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Ability to sit, stand, stoop and bend over for long periods of time (up to 8 hours)
• Ability to walk/work on all types of surfaces (uneven and slippery ground)
• Ability to lift/carry up to 40 pounds for extended periods
• Must be able to use proper Personal Protective Equipment as directed
• Work in outdoor environment: heat, cold, wet and dry and dusty conditions
• 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
• Due to the remote refuge location, applicant must have a personal vehicle for use outside of work hours

Preferred:

• Education and experience: competitive applicants for this position should hold or be actively pursuing a degree in Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Environmental Studies, or related field, or have equivalent field-based experience in wildlife or habitat management.
• Ability and willingness to use herbicides
• Deep interest in the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and/or restoration and habitat management.

Responsibilities on the Job:

• Maintain a clean and safe working environment
• Operate 4WD pickup trucks, ATV/UTVs, skid steers, farm tractors, and backhoes (training provided)
• Ability to complete task training and to maintain certifications
• If not using provided housing, ability to commute daily to Imperial NWR
• Drive company vehicle to load and unload materials
• Knowledge or ability to learn of operating power tools/ gas powered equipment
• Knowledge or ability to learn different rehabilitation methods