Science in the Service Fellow, Engaging Tribes in Migratory Bird Program Eagle Work- Pacific Southwest Region, Region 8

Science in the Service Fellow, Engaging Tribes in Migratory Bird Program Eagle Work- Pacific Southwest Region, Region 8

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one Science in the Service Fellow to contribute to tribal engagement projects in the USFWS Region 8 Migratory Bird Program alongside Pacific Southwest Region staff.

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

Start Date: September September 2023Estimated End Date: December 2023*a 640 hour commitment is required. May be completed in as little as 16 weeks if working full time but fellowship can extend 32 weeks or longer to meet hours requirement and fellow's schedule needs

Location Details/Description: Migratory Bird Program, R8 Pacific Southwest Regional Office- Sacramento, CA (but can work virtually/teleservice- preferably located within Region 8)

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 8 is headquartered in Sacramento, California, and has federal fish and wildlife management responsibilities in California, Nevada, and the Klamath Basin in southern Oregon. The Region includes one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the United States, ranging from the arid sand dunes in the Mojave Desert to the snow-capped crags in the high Sierras; from rich farmland in the Central Valley to rain-soaked redwood forests along the Pacific coast. This highly diverse geography provides habitats for a vast array of wildlife. More than 42 million people live within the Region, and expanding population centers such as the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Reno, San Diego, and Las Vegas are increasing demands on natural resources, presenting unique challenges to the Region's conservation mission.

The Service is responsible for managing the National Wildlife Refuge System, operating fish hatcheries and fishery resource offices, enforcing federal wildlife laws, managing migratory bird populations, conserving and restoring habitats, and overseeing a federal aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars to state, fish and wildlife agencies.

For more information about the Pacific Southwest Region, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/about/region/pacific-southwest

In-Person Reporting Expectations: Ideally over the course of the fellowship, the fellow will be able to have face-to-face visits with staff with the Migratory Bird Program. This may include traveling to Sacramento or some other appropriate location once or twice during the term of the fellowship.

Position Overview:

The US Fish & Wildlife Service strives to increase diversity in its workforce and maintain its relevance to a new generation of conservationists. Therefore, the Service's Region 8 has established the Science in the Service fellowship to promote job training and fellowship opportunities for students; expose students to the Service's conservation mission and develop in them an understanding of career opportunities in conservation; as well as to coordinate educational opportunities between affiliated colleges and universities and the Service to facilitate experiential opportunities that enhance student career development.

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 fellow will work to better understand the Migratory Bird Program, its authorities, existing regulatory requirements, and current procedures while gaining a better understanding of the tribes within Region 8. The individual will look at the R8 MB Program's current approaches to communication with tribes and will evaluate how improvements can be made. The intern will use information gathered to work with R8 Migratory Bird leadership in developing an initial communication strategy for improved engagement with tribes, particularly around the Program's eagle permitting process.

The fellow will also examine how Traditional Ecological Knowledge from tribes can be used in ways consistent with the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and Migratory Bird Protection Act to help with decisions made by the R8 Migratory Bird Program for eagles and other birds. Part of this examination of TEK may include considering how the MB Program can begin to implement the Secretary of the Interior's directives to move toward a greater level of co-stewardship with tribes. The fellow will use the results of their findings to provide suggestions and/or recommendations about how to use TEK and how to provide greater involvement of tribes in management decisions.

The fellow will build a tribal directory and SharePoint site that improves the information availability about R8 tribes. The fellow will use existing information about tribes and gather additional information that may be needed. A variety of additional information about tribes can be gathered and shared in the SharePoint site.

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

• Developing a communication strategy to help the R8 MB Program work better with tribes, especially on eagle permits.
• Evaluating TEK and options for co-stewardship and provide a document with suggestions/recommendations for the R8 MB Program.
• Building a SharePoint site and directory with tribal information that can be used in helping facilitate improved tribal interactions.
• Providing a plan for how the Migratory Bird Program can work more effectively with tribes in Region 8 and will evaluate tribal approaches that can be used in working with the MB Program, and will develop tools to help improve work with tribes. The fellow will be expected to attend meetings of the MB Program and learn about the work, with a special emphasis on eagle permits. This should include visiting with staff and 1-2 field visits to better understand the approaches taken by the program.

Schedule: Duties will tentatively be carried out between 6am and 6pm Pacific, flexible within Monday-Friday, with schedules built around fellow's availability. Supervisor and member will collaborate together on setting member schedules. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 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 between 15-40 hours/week, depending on fellow availability and will receive a living allowance adjusted based on education level and work schedule to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

For example, a graduate student working 20 hours/week would receive a stipend of $340/week. An undergraduate student working 20 hours/week would receive a stipend of $320/week.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

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 here.

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.

Developmental Opportunities:

The intern will have regular access to their supervisor (Thomas Leeman) as well as the Migratory Bird Program Chief (Dan Blake) and the Office of Communications Tribal Coordinator (Eldon Brown). These individuals will help the intern to participate in training and development opportunities.

Please note that the Science in the Service working group will assist stations in developing fellows via the following mechanisms:

• Virtual orientation
• Resume workshops
• Individual resume reviews
• Career advising
• Bi-weekly facilitated calls (near peer forum, leadership Q&A, career overviews, etc.)
• Informational interviews
• Mentorship program
• Administrative support
• Special Hiring Authority and USAJOBS training
• Regional symposium for final presentations

The fellow will be encouraged to engage in regular staff meetings and to have other conversations with staff. This will average at least 1 hour per week.

The fellow will also be allowed to participate in field visits to better understand potential interactions with tribes and the resources managed by the Service's Migratory Bird Program. This will be flexible but should include at least 1 hour per week of the intern's time.

The fellow will also be permitted to generate ideas for developmental opportunities that fit with the scope of the work and lead to experiences that will be helpful as they start their career.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Candidates must meet all eligibility requirements for Public Land Corps Hiring Authority. Please see the following link for more information on eligibility requirements: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.
• 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.
• Candidates will not be evaluated based on prior work experience, as none is expected.

Preferred:

• Projects are developmental opportunities and should be suitable for undergraduate students. Applicants will be solicited primarily from 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students, and we may receive applications from graduate students, including Master's and Ph.D. Eligible areas of study include:
• Biological Sciences- i.e., Natural Resources Management, Biology, Wildlife Conservation, Fisheries, Zoology, Environmental Science, Ecology, Genetics, Microbiology, Chemistry, Land Management, Botany, Soil Science, Forestry, Invasive Species management, Plant Development
• Communications/Marketing-i.e., Public Relations, Graphic Design, Social Media, Advertising, Campaign Management, Journalism, Videography/Photography, Science Illustration, Literature/Writing, Foreign Language
• Education/Outreach-i.e., Environmental Education, Community Outreach, Visitor Services/Interpretation, Citizen Science, Environmental Engagement
• Social Sciences/Humanities-i.e. Human Dimensions, Behavioral Science, Social/Environmental Justice, Native American Studies, Law and Policy, Environmental Policy, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Political Science/Government
• Other: Studies that equip the individual with a better understanding of tribal affairs and government interactions with tribes

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Position is primarily based indoors. 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 10 lbs., occasionally moves up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Primarily indoor conditions. When indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: 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 njackosky@usaconservation.org or 628-888-9336.

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.

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