Fisheries Monitoring Member - Shenandoah National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Fisheries Monitoring Members to assist with backpack electrofishing on 70 or more sites throughout the park to monitor fish populations and take various habitat measurements alongside Shenandoah National Park staff.

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

Start Date: June 19, 2023

Estimated End Date: September 9, 2023 (or 12 weeks from start date)

*A 12-week commitment is required*

Location Details and Description: Shenandoah National Park Headquarters, Luray, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park contains 196,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park's backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains 500 miles of trails, including 95 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and nearly 80,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Skyline Drive, the famous scenic tour road through the Park, follows the ridge crest for 105 miles and connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Nearly two million people visit the Park each year to enjoy views from the Skyline Drive, hike trails, rock climb, camp, or stay overnight in one of the Park's rustic lodges or backcountry cabins. The Park supports approximately 1,400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 40 species of fish, over 230 taxa of aquatic invertebrates and provide some of the best protected strongholds for native eastern brook trout in the region.

For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm.

For information on Shenandoah's monitoring program please visit: https://www.nps.gov/im/midn/shen.htm.

Position Overview: The member will assist in backpack electrofishing roughly 70 sites on 30 or more streams throughout Shenandoah National Park assessing coldwater fish populations as part of a ten-person crew. The member will also take various water quality and stream habitat measurements as a component of the NPS "vital signs" program. The member may also be removing exotic fish from park streams to benefit native species within the park. Any additional free time will likely be spent patrolling the developed areas of the park for nuisance black bears and educating visitors about bear conflicts, conducting peregrine falcon cliff nesting surveys, and radio tracking whitetail deer.

Physical Demands: An excellent level of physical fitness is required. The members must have the ability to walk several miles of steep, rugged, wet terrain with packs up to 40 pounds daily and spend several hours wading in fast-flowing streams. The member must have the desire and ability to spend 10 or more hours per day outside away from bathrooms and the shelter of buildings in hot and humid weather. It is essential that they can hike in steep and rocky off trail terrain, and have the ability to tolerate extended periods of standing, looking upward, bending, stooping and crawling.

The member must also have a strong willingness to be exposed to the daily hazards of the field environment including stormy weather, deep mud, stream crossings, thick tall thorny vegetation, disease carrying ticks, stinging insects, bears, snakes, and spiders.

Schedule: Monday-Thursday 6:30am-5:00pm

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $275/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, disbursed bi-weekly.

Reimbursable Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $400 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $1,718.25 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hours.

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

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in housing provided by the park at no cost for the duration of the term.

Housing consists of several homes with double occupancy bedrooms; housing will most likely be at Park Headquarters in Luray, VA or within 10 miles. If housing is located further than 10 miles from Luray, VA, a government vehicle is intended to be provided for transportation to and from the work site. If one is not available, there will be a travel allowance provided. Luray, VA is 5 miles from Park Headquarters and has all of the standard amenities (grocery stores, movie theater, shops, restaurants, library etc.). Laundry facilities are also available at park housing locations.

Cell phone reception is not reliable. A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs (e.g., food shopping). The site is rural and there is no reliable public transportation. Members will have use of a government vehicle for work related travel.

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.

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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be US citizen or Permanent Resident, as required to comply with 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 required three-part criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This position is physically demanding. The member must be physically able to walk long distances off-trail in mountainous terrain and serve outdoors for much of the day while carrying a 40lb backpack.
• A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs.
• 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in fisheries, ecology, biology, wetland sciences, natural resource management or a related discipline.
• Deep interest in a career in fisheries, ecology, biology, wetland sciences, natural resource management or a related discipline.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: See in Position Overview above.
• 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 40 pounds, ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: See in Position Overview above. This individual will serve in 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, light traffic, and fast-flowing rivers.
• 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 NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Victoria Yee, at vyee@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Fisheries Monitoring Member Shenandoah National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC