Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking two Members to contribute to invasive species management projects alongside Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1096653

Start Date: June 2024 (Flexible)
Estimated End Date: December (Flexible)
*a 26-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge - Boonville, MO.

The lower Missouri River is the largest free-flowing river in the United States, encompassing nearly 1.5 million acres of bottomland habitat for fish, wildlife and plants, while providing commercial transportation and recreation opportunities for communities across our nation's heartland. Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge was established in 1994 for the development, advancement, management, conservation and protection of fish and wildlife resources. Refuge staff focus on restoring those resources in the Missouri River floodplain on the river's final 367 miles to its confluence with the Mississippi River, from St. Louis to Kansas City. Currently, the refuge is composed of 22 separate units, encompassing over 22,000 acres of wildlife habitat.

For more information about Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/big-muddy/about-us

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 Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge.

Members will primarily assist with mapping, management of invasive plants, and general maintenance duties. Members may travel to nearby refuges. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in other activities on the refuge.

Primary Duties Include:

• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with hand tools.
• Assisting with the application of General Use Pesticides.
• General refuge maintenance duties such as trail maintenance, fence building etc.
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys and restoration projects.

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: Mon-Fri, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Days/hours may vary throughout the position.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $765/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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

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

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position such as boots, socks, and outerwear 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 ATV/UTV training, defensive driver training, chainsaw training, boat operator training, herbicide application, GIS/GPS.

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
• 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 two-part criminal history check.
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
• Ability to travel by vehicle to different locations across the refuge/various refuges to conduct invasive species management duties.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 4-year college degree and/or have education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject preferred
• Able to walk and stand for long periods
• Able to physically pull or remove invasive plants with hand tools
• Willingness to apply General Use Pesticides with use of appropriate safety equipment, and training in the safe handling of General Use Pesticides
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff
• Ability to work independently
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys and general refuge maintenance duties.

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 potentially camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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. Mainly indoor, 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. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position will require frequent driving and domestic travel. With the refuge headquarters centrally located in the state, common day trips to sites can involve 2-4 hours of total drive time. Some overnight travel is required.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, wet and windy weather, rocky terrain, muddy, swamp, or wetland conditions, biting insects, dense vegetation, poison ivy, pollen, and potentially dangerous wildlife. Hazards also include mixing herbicides according to product labels, trailering a UTV, loading and unloading the UTV, and operating battery-powered hand tools including saws, drills, etc. 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.