California Condor Monitoring Member - Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex

California Condor Monitoring Member - Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 4 Members to contribute to the California Condor Recovery project alongside Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: September 2025

Estimated End Date: February/March 2026

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required, flexible start date*

Location Details/Description: Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, Fillmore, CA (20%) and Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge, Maricopa, CA (80%)

Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1974 for the recovery of the endangered California condor. This 2,471-acre Refuge adjoins the southern boundary of the Sespe Condor Sanctuary, a component of the U.S. Forest Service, Los Padres National Forest. The 53,000-acre Sanctuary contains critical California condor nesting and roosting habitat. Strategically located adjacent to the Sanctuary, the Refuge helps buffer these nesting and roosting areas from human disturbance and protects a portion of the foraging habitat within a much larger area where the condors have historically foraged and fed. Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge also protects a variety of plant communities that provide habitat for other species protected under the federal Endangered Species Act. The Refuge is closed to public access due to the sensitive nature of California condor recovery efforts and physical access limitations, like no public roads leading to the Refuge.

Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985, with the primary goal being the preservation of essential foraging and roosting habitat for the California Condor. Today, the 14,097 acre refuge serves as a hub of condor activity and research. It protects habitat within an important east/west running mountain range and provides movement corridors for populations of native ungulates, raptors, and other wildlife. Historically, the Bitter Creek area was used as a cattle ranch and used extensively by wild condors before all remaining wild condors were brought into captivity in 1987. While the refuge itself is closed to the public, it is bisected by Hudson Ranch Road, which is a popular place for bird watchers to look for condors.

The Recovery Program for the California condor is an international multi-entity effort, led by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Recovery Program is working to establish robust self-sustaining populations of condors within the historical distribution. The program includes several key components including addressing threats to the species in the wild; captive breeding; and release and monitoring at our field sites.

For more information about Bitter Creek and Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuges, 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 at Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

• Assist FWS biologists with managing the free-flying population of California condors in Southern California
• Monitor condors using radio telemetry, GPS, and visual observations
• Observe condor behavior at feeding sites, roosts, and nests
• Assist with bi-annual trapping efforts of condors and observing newly-released captive-bred individuals
• Care for captive-raised condors prior to their release, provide clean food and water, and conduct detailed behavioral observations
• Transport carcasses to feeding sites at night
• Travel safely via UTV, 4WD vehicle, or foot in steep mountainous terrain to reach field sites
• Travel between Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge and Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge to conduct field work
• Assist with routine office work and maintenance tasks
• Keep detailed field notes and follow data collection protocols to ensure accurate and consistent data

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 through the following Wednesday, in ten day hitches with four days off. 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 ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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. Housing is located at Bitter Creek and Hopper Mountain NWR.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, work pants, hiking boots, backpack, 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 Driver, UTV training, and site-specific field training.

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 (sometimes at night), 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 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.
• Ability to hike long distances off trail with field gear in adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, and buggy conditions while carrying a heavy pack.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work well in small teams.
• Ability to drive 4WD trucks and UTVs/ATVs to access field sites.
• Comfortable handling animal carcasses.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Bachelor's degree in Biology, Wildlife, or Natural Resources and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as wildlife conservation.
• Previous experience in wildlife field work.
• Ability and willingness to handle wildlife under supervision.
• Experience using radio telemetry.
• Deep interest in wildlife conservation and endangered species recovery.

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 possibly camp overnight in remote locations.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus and identify color differences.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 30 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. When indoors, 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.
• Travel: This position may require domestic 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.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website at usaconservation dot org. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager, Saige Ruleau.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Current Openings for California Condor Monitoring Member Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC