Peregrine Falcon Restoration and Wildlife Management Member

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Peregrine Falcon Restoration and Wildlife Management Member to assist with peregrine falcon restoration, human-wildlife conflict management, and forest pest management alongside Shenandoah National Park staff.

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

Start Date: May 23, 2022

End Date: August 13, 2022 (or 12 weeks from start date)

*A 12-week minimum commitment is required*

Location: Shenandoah National Park Headquarters, Luray, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park contains nearly 197,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park's backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains over 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 1.5 million people visit the Park each year to enjoy views from the Skyline Drive, hike trails, rock climb, enjoy nature study, camp, or stay overnight in one of the Park's rustic lodges or backcountry cabins. The Park supports approximately 1400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 40 species of fishes and over 230 taxa of aquatic invertebrates.

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

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $200/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, disbursed bi-weekly. They will also receive a $600 travel allowance to aid in the costs of relocation and commuting to the duty station.

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; however, occupancy may be limited to one person per room due to COVID-19. Housing will most likely be 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 always reliable. A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs (e.g., food shopping). The site is remote and there is no reliable public transportation. Members will have use of a government vehicle for work related travel.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,687.57) upon successful completion of term hours. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Position Description: The opportunity will focus on peregrine falcon restoration and human-bear conflict management. During the peregrine restoration portion of the membership, the member will be responsible for the care, feeding, and observation of 4-6 young peregrine falcons at an artificial nest site in the park. This portion of the member's service will assist with the reestablishment of breeding peregrine falcons in Shenandoah.

Time will also be spent assisting with human-bear conflict management (ie. securing food/coolers in campgrounds, basic aversive conditioning/hazing of bear, public education, and occasionally assisting with food-conditioned bear trapping/captures). It will be important that the member can communicate well with the public to educate them on these projects. The member will also educate visitors about Leave No Trace practices, food storage, and safe wildlife viewing distances. Additionally, some time will be spent assisting with forest pest management activities (ie. emerald ash borer suppression on ash trees).

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. Training opportunities will include Wildlife Management OJT (on the job training), Black Bear Aversive Conditioning OJT, and possibly basic search and rescue training (mainly visitor carry-outs). First aid / CPR training may or may not be available depending on restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cross training opportunities may or may not be available depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 criminal history checks.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs.
• Some weekend and evening service is required
• 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.
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resource management, wildlife science, forestry, botany, biology, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge or ability to learn eastern raptor identification (competent with supervision)
• Experience with animals in a professional setting (birds/raptors specifically)
• GPS/orienteering/compass skills
• Deep interest in threatened species management, human-wildlife conflict management, ecology, and strong desire to learn/serve outdoors.

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 NPS Recruitment Specialist, Maddy Ficca at mficca@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 Peregrine Falcon Restoration and Wildlife Management Member Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC