NPS Academy Wildlife and Biology Management Member - Grand Teton National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Teton National Park is seeking ONE Wildlife and Biology Management member as part of the 2024 National Park Service Academy cohort. During this 12-16-week position and additional one week March Experience, the members will develop resource interpretation, public speaking, and customer service skills while simultaneously learning about the National Park Service (NPS) as a career path.

For more information about NPS Academy, please visit: npsacademy.org.

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

About NPS Academy: National Park Service Academy aims to support the development of a more representative NPS workforce by connecting dynamic, young adults through an experiential program designed around three themes - Connections, Diversity, Legacy. Through participation, members build their conservation ethic, intercultural awareness, and career readiness skills and competencies. NPS Academy introduces participants to the NPS Universal Competencies that are foundational to all NPS career paths within a cohort of like minded peers.

Program Goals:

The main goals of NPS Academy are:

• Connect a diverse group of young adults sharing a passion and curiosity for careers within the NPS
• Deepen participants' knowledge of and personal network within the NPS by fostering an NPS mentorship relationships
• Develop a network of emerging conservation and park leaders by building ambassadorship, storytelling, and leadership skills
• Create a more inclusive and representative future for public lands

Location and Start Dates

Start Date: May 15, 2024 - June 1, 2024 (flexible)

Estimated End Date: September 2024 (dependent on start date)

Start and end dates are potentially flexible for the right candidate and are dependent on the Park needs. If your availability falls mostly within these dates, please apply. More information regarding specific dates will be shared in the interview process.

*a 12-16 week minimum commitment is required and participation in the orientation (March 4th-8th) are required for the position*

Position Description: This opportunity is intended for an enthusiastic and highly motivated individual who is interested in learning about wildlife and wildlife management within Grand Teton National Park and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

This is a unique internship that will expose the candidate to 4 distinct programs: 1) ungulate research/management, 2) management of the human-bear interface, 3) avian and carnivore research/management, and 4) aquatic invasive species/fisheries management. We are looking for someone enthusiastic, eager to learn and contribute, and who can collect, and record detailed and accurate data.

In addition, please see specific position descriptions for each program below.

Ungulate Program:

• Conduct back-country trips to remote locations in the Tetons to install/maintain remote cameras and evaluate forage for bighorn sheep.
• Assist with surveys to count and classify, photograph, or assess condition of ungulates (e.g. pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, etc.). This work may occur in the frontcountry or in remote locations of the back-country.
• Collect biological samples from roadkill or other ungulate carcasses. Remove ungulate carcasses from the roadway.
• Clean elk teeth in preparation for submission to lab for aging.
• Install and maintain remote cameras to monitor ungulate migrations.
• Performs data entry and basic data summaries/analyses in the office.
• Use GPS to collect information of survey locations and GIS to create basic maps.
• Actively participate in safety briefings, follow safety protocols, and report near-misses and safety concerns.

Bear Program:

• Responds to wildlife-related traffic jams along park roadways to facilitate safe wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Provides visitors with information about bear ecology, bear safety, and ethical wildlife viewing.
• Patrols frontcountry areas, such as campgrounds and picnic areas, to look for unsecured bear attractants and educates visitors about proper food storage techniques.
• Responsible for meticulously completing bear report forms documenting bear observations and assisting with data entry into park databases.
• Sets up and maintains remote cameras.
• May assist park biologists with bear capture and handling operations.
• May operate a government motor vehicle.
• Work will include early morning (starting at 0600) and late evening (ending at 2200) shifts as well as working weekends and holidays.

Avian and Carnivore Program:

• Assists with surveys for nesting raptors (bald eagles, osprey, peregrine falcons), trumpeter swans, great blue herons, sage-grouse, and yellow-billed cuckoos.
• Completes data forms for bird surveys and enters data into databases.
• Performs radio telemetry to locate foxes, coyotes, and wolves.
• Assists with setting up closures for nesting birds and denning canids.
• Collaborates with partners on common loon, harlequin duck, songbird, raptor, and canid research.
• Uses GPS, compass, and map to navigate off-trail.

Aquatic Invasive Species/Fisheries Program:

• Positively interact with park visitors with watercraft to assess risk level watercraft may pose for the carrying viable aquatic invasive species (AIS).
• Conduct decontamination procedures if watercraft is at a high risk of acting as an AIS vector.
• Safely inspect and decontaminate watercraft, often using a high temperature pressure washing unit.
• Record data accurately.
• Enter data using Survey 123.
• Assist in the execution of fisheries research projects using a variety of tools.

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.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: Members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week (less any applicable taxes) to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. NPS Academy allowances are designed to prepare members for similar allowance structure at entry level positions at their service site and some variation exists due to local cost of living differences.

Housing: NPS Academy members will be accommodated in provided park service housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing varies by park site.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Scheduling:Programs operate either using a 5-4-9 schedule or 4 ten-hour days. Work days and hours will vary depending on what program you are working with and will likely be scheduled in 2-week time chunks. The schedule for this position is unusual so additional discussion between the intern and supervisor will be necessary.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $1,824.07 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hrs.

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

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects are subject to specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. If you do not meet the eligibility requirements for the PLC, you are still eligible to apply for the NPS Academy position with ACE. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

Outdoor Perks: As an ACE EPIC member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

Preferred Skills and Experience

An important reminder, all skills needed for this position will be trained on the job. A good attitude, curiosity for learning, and a willingness to work hard contributing to the team are the only prerequisites to finding success.

Essential skills and experience: In addition, this position requires someone who is organized and has good communication skills as they will be coordinating with multiple program managers.

Additional skills and experience that are helpful: A background in resource management, wildlife management, parks and recreation management, biology or a related field is desirable. Have relevant experience in subject areas such as GPS/GIS, earth sciences, biology, resource management, park and recreation management, and ecological restoration.

Skills and experience that members will gain from this position: During this twelve-sixteen week internship, the intern will be exposed to a variety of wildlife biology/management activities including ungulate research/management, management of the human-bear interface, avian and carnivore research/management, and aquatic invasive species/fisheries management.

ACE Requirements:

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

Driving is not required for this position but preferred.

Physical Demands, Work Environment, and Working Conditions:Please use this information to determine personal ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Physical Demands: The intern must be comfortable traveling and working in steep, rocky terrain. Work involves collecting data/samples in remote locations (back-country of Teton Range) under physically demanding conditions at elevations 7,000-11,000 feet.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: The intern must be physically fit and able to hike up to 15 miles per day in varied terrain, carrying up to 50 pounds
• Environmental: Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates in very steep, rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions while carrying a heavy backpack (≥ 50 pounds). Much of the travel is off trail. Must be willing to work around potentially dangerous large mammals, including grizzly bears, black bears, and moose.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise. Must be comfortable interfacing with the public and working along busy park roadways.
• Travel: Work includes long day trips and overnight camping in the back-country.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest in the position and the NPS Academy program, as well as contact information for three references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/?keywords=academy. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time but will close by January 6th at the latest. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Outreach and Recruitment Specialist, Emanuel Aragon Cruz at ecruz@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 NPS Academy Wildlife and Biology Management Member Grand Teton National Park Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC