Refuge Support Member - Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Member to contribute to various refuge projects and operations alongside FWS management and biology staff.

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

Start Date: October 2023

Estimated End Date: Winter/Spring 2024

*a 30-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, Gautier, MS & The Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

This Refuge is located in Jackson County in extreme southeast Mississippi, less than 10 miles from the Gulf Coast. It is part of the Gulf Coast Refuge Complex which includes Grand Bay and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuges located on the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama.

The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 to protect and preserve the Mississippi sandhill crane and its critical wet pine savanna habitat. The refuge consists of approximately 19,300 acres in three main units that include savanna, coastal prairie, cypress swamp strands, pine flatwoods, and brackish marsh. The refuge is the only home of this endangered non-migratory subspecies of sandhill crane (crane) and provides valuable habitat for the endangered dusky gopher frog (DGF) and several declining grassland birds like the Henslow's sparrow, yellow rail, sedge wren, and numerous species of unique and rare plants. For more information about Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/mississippi-sandhill-crane

While the Refuge Support Member will be stationed at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR, the position will support the Gulf Coast Complex that also includes Bon Secour and Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuges.

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is located in Gulf Shores, AL and contains 7,000+ acres of wildlife habitat for migratory birds, nesting sea turtles and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. The refuge was established by Congress in 1980 to preserve the coastal dune ecosystem, to protect threatened and endangered species, to provide compatible recreational opportunities, and to serve as a living laboratory for students and scientists. For more information about Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bon-secour

Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in coastal Mississippi and Alabama. The refuge was established in 1992 to help protect one of the largest remaining expanses of Gulf Coast wet pine savanna habitat. With only 3% of wet pine savanna remaining across its originally range, it is considered an endangered habitat. For more information about Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/grand-bay

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 Mississippi Sandhill Crane, Bon Secour, and Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuges via the Member's contributions in this role:

• Participate in habitat management and monitoring including invasive plant control and mapping, mechanical treatment of woody vegetation, vegetation surveys, and supporting with prescribed burns (w/ proper training and certification)
• Support the biological program by monitoring and handling various wildlife species including endangered species
• Organize and conduct monthly public lands cleanups
• Maintain accurate and detailed field records and enter data promptly and accurately
• Assist with public outreach including visitor contact and environmental education
• Manage Refuge social media accounts under the supervision of the Refuge Manager
• Work with volunteers on a regular basis
• Assist with refuge upkeep, such as repair or replacement of gates and signs, mowing and trimming, and trail maintenance (10% or less of service time)

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.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday. 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 including early mornings or late evenings, on weekends and/or holidays. 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 ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $400/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $3,247.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term.

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

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $600 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, hats, sun protection, 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.

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 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.

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 resources, conservation, biology, etc.
• Knowledge of USFWS mission
• Experience, professional or personal, with hand tools used for landscape and
• Trail maintenance
• Experience conducting invasive plant management
• Basic GPS and GIS skills
• Basic plant identification skills
• Deep interest in public relations and conservation education

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing, manual dexterity 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 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates - particularly hot, humid, and buggy conditions.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Field work may be in very hot, humid, and variable weather conditions, smoke, biting and stinging insects, ticks, thorny and poisonous plants, and venomous snakes. Contact with herbicide may occur if treating invasive plant species.

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, Danielle Ramsden, at dramsden@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 Refuge Support Member Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC