Summary
American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Shorebird Monitoring and Biology Support Members to contribute to the biology program alongside Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff. 

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: January 15, 2024
Estimated End Date: September 20, 2024
*36 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility*

Location Details/Description: Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex at the Wertheim National Wildlife REfuge in Shirley, NY and Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Noyack, NY.

For more information about Long Island NWR Complex, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/wertheim and https://www.fws.gov/refuge/elizabeth-alexandra-morton 

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will assist with shorebird monitoring and management, salt marsh monitoring and management, and data management.  Members may travel to nearby refuges to assist with work. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in other activities on the refuge including invasive species management as well as support for other biological projects as directed.  The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Completing assigned tasks related to information and data collection, acquisition, entry, organization and management
• Maintaining fencing and equipment within shorebird breeding habitat
• Conducting nest searches, conducting nest and brood monitoring, and predator monitoring.  
• Conducting outreach and engaging with the public. 
• Conducting salt marsh monitoring and carrying out management and maintenance actions.
• Conducting rare and protected plant surveys.
• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws). Work may be conducted by canoe or kayak (e.g., pulling water chestnut),
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys, refuge outreach events, and other refuge duties.

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 primarily be carried out Monday-Friday but weekends may be required to accomplish work tasks..  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 including on weekends and/or holidays.  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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $525/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 1200-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $4,546.50 upon successful completion of service hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

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. 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 here: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.

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.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, pants, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

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 three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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. 
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 2-year or 4-year college degree (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
• Familiarity with GPS and iPads
• Ensure quality of the data collected
• Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
• Ability to identify shorebirds and willingness to learn
• 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
• Ability to live communally in a clean and respectful manner
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects, heat, humidity, rain
• Willingness to participate in training 
• Willingness to work on office tasks including report development, use of AGOL and arcgis pro, filing and other tasks as needed

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires 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 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 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor work  includes office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise is to be expected such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic, or outside such as wildlife and effects from weather.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The member 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 may 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. The member will be working in vegetated areas with a high potential for tick and mosquito exposure.  Refuge staff will provide safety briefings and personal protective equipment in order to minimize exposure to vector-borne diseases.  

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 and/or ACE, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.