Habitat Restoration Member- San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Habitat Restoration Member- San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Habitat Restoration Member to contribute to Saltmarsh and Habitat Restoration and Monitoring at the San Diego Bay and Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuges] project alongside San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

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

Start Date: 07/02/2023 Estimated End Date: Part time through 09/02/2023, full time 09/03/2023 through 12/30/2023 *a 26-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 860 hours* (180 hrs part time, 680 hrs full time, 860 hrs total)

Location Details/Description: San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Jamul, CA

The San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex encompasses four National Wildlife Refuges (NWR) within Southern California: Seal Beach NWR in Orange County, and San Diego Bay NWR, Tijuana Slough NWR, and San Diego NWR in San Diego County. Refuges are not just places for wildlife, but provide a Refuge for the millions of city-dwelling neighbors who surround them. These four Refuges conserve nearly 17,000 acres of native habitats including open bays and estuaries, coastal salt marsh, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, riparian and vernal pools. Three of the San Diego area Refuges contribute to the San Diego Multiple Species Conservation Program (MSCP), a landscape-wide habitat conservation plan to preserve habitat and species while allowing appropriate development. The Seal Beach NWR lies completely within the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station and contributes to the success of the US Navy's Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan.

For more information about the four Refuges in the San Diego NWR Complex, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san-diego;

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/san-diego-bay;

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/tijuana-slough;

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/seal-beach

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 San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The member will assist the Complex by monitoring salinity measurements for the Otay River Estuary Restoration Project - South San Diego Bay Unit, controlling the spread of non-native Limonium spp. at the Sweetwater Marsh Unit, developing a restoration plan for the removal of waste plastic sheeting at Gunpowder Point, and participating in the permit and construction design for the Tijuana Estuary Tidal Restoration Project at the Tijuana Slough NWR, among other projects. Refuge staff are unable to fully participate in these salt marsh planning and restoration projects, and the member would provide field measurements and control actions that would otherwise not be provided by Refuge staff. The member would receive initial guidance on these projects and would work closely with Refuge staff on implementation.

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.

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

• Collecting Baume (salinity) and water surface elevation measurements on a weekly basis from the primary and secondary salt ponds as part of 125-acre salt marsh restoration project.
• Routinely checking on the solarization and control of the invasive Limonium spp. on the San Diego Bay NWR.
• Organizing removal efforts of Limonium spp. with Ecological Services office.
• Helping prepare the environmental compliance documents to periodically dredge the Tijuana River mouth
• Installing bird-safe treatments to the San Diego NWR Complex office and Tijuana Slough NWR visitor center.
• Developing restoration plan for the removal of waste plastic sheeting at Gunpowder Point.

Schedule: Duties will tentatively be carried out between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Pacific, Monday-Friday, 5 days/week (5/8s). Supervisor and member will collaborate together on setting member schedules. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours. 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 ~20 hours/week from July through August (9/2) and ~40 hours/week September through December (9/3-12/30) and will receive a living allowance of $580/week July through August and $1160/week September through December 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. 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.

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 training on environmental laws and regulations and monitoring.

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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• If eligible to drive, 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.
• Member 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 a 4-year degree in biological sciences,, natural resource management, environmental policy, environmental planning, or related disciplines. A graduate degree is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of endangered, threatened, migratory, and native species, environmental compliance regulations
• Ability and willingness to participate in field work, meet with the public and partners, and assist with Refuge maintenance projects (trail maintenance, fence repairs, trash removal)
• Deep interest in refuge management, restoration of wildlife habitats

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Position is primarily based outdoors in hot conditions. Demands may include stooping, lifting, reaching, talking, hearing, regular and recurring hiking, walking, and bending. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment, and may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.

• 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 lbs., ability to move up to 40 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor 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 hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• 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 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 ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager, Nich Jackosky at 628-888-9336 or njackosky@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 Habitat Restoration Member San Diego National Wildlife Refuge Complex Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC