Irrigation Member - National Elk Refuge

Irrigation Member - National Elk Refuge

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Members to contribute to the operation and maintenance of a state-of-the-art K-Line irrigation system that irrigates approximately 4,600 acres of grasslands crucial to winter range habitat on the National Elk Refuge alongside FWS Staff.

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

Start Date: 05/06/2024

Estimated End Date: 10/4/2024

*a 22-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: The National Elk Refuge, Jackson, WY

Located in the heart of the 22-million-acre Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, the National Elk Refuge provides critical habitat for a number of species, including elk, bison, pronghorn, swans, eagles, and trout.

The Refuge is six miles wide at its widest point and ten miles long from southwest to northeast. The elevation varies from 6,200 feet to 7,200 feet. The Teton Range, visible to the west, rises to 13,775 feet at the summit of Grand Teton. The valley and surrounding mountains show classic examples of glaciation.

The northern half of the Refuge consists of steep, rolling hills. The southern half is glacial washout material, with one resistant formation -- Miller Butte -- rising approximately 500 feet above the valley floor.

Much of the Refuge consists of grassy meadows and marshes on the valley floor. The flood plain forest along the Gros Ventre River contains blue spruce, narrowleaf cottonwood, aspen, and willow as major species. There are extensive areas of big sagebrush and rocky outcroppings. The forested areas of lodgepole pine, Douglas fir, and aspen are mostly on the northern slopes of the Gros Ventre hills.

For more information about the National Elk Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/national-elk/about-us

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people.

Irrigation Technicians will assist with the refuge water management strategies including the daily operation of multiple water control structures and components. The forage produced in the spring and summer months is utilized by elk and bison during the fall and winter months on this critical winter range habitat.

This position will help FWS realize that mission by:

70% of work duties:

• Move irrigation K-Lines daily and repair any minor issues with the K-Line components
• Perform regular checks and maintenance on our two irrigation headgates and two pressure stations
• Maintain flood irrigation components (changing tarps, repairing structures, cleaning flow paths)
• Identification, mapping and/or removal of invasive plant species throughout the refuge
• Regular rangeland maintenance including rock/boulder removal, fencing/enclosure repairs, repair/installation of refuge signage, removal of old structures and debris on the refuge landscape for the safety of wildlife

20% of work duties:

• Perform daily and weekly basic operator maintenance on our UTVs & ATVs
• Assisting with vegetation and/or wildlife observations, surveying, and reporting
• Removal of biological materials from irrigation areas

10% of work duties:

• Paperwork and reporting
• Work with other refuge staff in their areas of study including wildlife biology, education and community outreach, visitor services, and facility/equipment maintenance

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule:

The irrigation program operates seven days a week, Monday through Sunday (7:00AM - 3:30PM or 8:00AM-4:30PM depending on the time of season). Members will work five days a week, 8 hours a day. A schedule will be set at the beginning of the season. This will most likely include a schedule where your workdays are on weekends. A flexible work schedule is required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours, including over 8 hours in a day, working weekends, and or holidays depending on your schedule. Biweekly totals should be approximately 80 hours. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and 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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. The housing is a shared living space and pets are not permitted.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases (boots, pants, sun gear, 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 ATV/UTV training, Defensive Driving certification, K-Line and flood irrigation system practices, invasive plant identification and removal, bear safety/awareness, and biological material handling. .

Grant Funding Opportunity: The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE's Access and Inclusion Grant. This is a $500 grant which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Grant recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of grants 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.
• 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 or be pursuing a degree in Natural Resource Management, Biology, Agriculture, Wildlife Ecology & Management and/or have relevant experience in these areas of study.
• Knowledge of irrigation, agriculture and/or biological fieldwork as well as working around sensitive wildlife populations; basic maintenance, operation of UTV/ATV's, trailers, basic hand tools and using GPS systems.
• Ability and willingness to spend long periods of time driving UTV's and ok with being in all different types of environmental conditions.
• Deep interest in Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Ecology, and/or Agriculture.

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 is required for use of various tools. 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 45 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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 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, Andrew Garcia at agarcia@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 nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Current Openings for Irrigation Member National Elk Refuge Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC