Volunteer Coordinator

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 part time Volunteer Coordinator to contribute to the coordination of volunteers and the monitoring of seabirds and shorebirds alongside Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Start Date: March 2025

Estimated End Date: November 2025 (34 weeks later)

*a 34 week minimum commitment is required

Location Details/Description: Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge, Pole Ojea, Puerto Rico

The Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) complex is comprised of nine refuges in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Jamaica Passage. The nine refuges are Cabo Rojo, Culebra, Desecheo, Buck Island, Green Cay, Sandy Point, Laguna Cartagena, Navassa and Vieques. Each unit has a unique composition of plant and animal species. The complex provides a wide range of management tools and services to all nine refuges.

Cabo Rojo NWR was established in 1974 for the potential value that the habitat held for migratory birds and also for its value in providing habitat for resident birds. The refuge lies along a coastal plain and has few gently rolling hills overlooking the southwestern tip of Puerto Rico. In 1999, the 1,249 acre Cabo Rojo Salt Flats, previously under private ownership, were purchased and added to the refuge for a total of 1,836 acres.

The Cabo Rojo NWR is home to Caribbean Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex headquarters, Caribbean Islands NWR Visitor Center and the Caribbean Ecological Services Offices.

For more information about Cabo Rojo NWR, please visit the USFWS website.

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 Cabo Rojo NWR. The ACE member's primary task will be to assist the Biologist in the coordination of volunteers and implementation of the monitoring during the breeding season of shorebirds and seabirds on the Salt Flats in the Cabo Rojo NWR.

Primary duties include:

• Learning the USFWS Volunteer policies and processes.
• Assisting in the recruitment and selection of volunteers for the Coastal Birds Breeding Program and for the Outreach component of the project (i.e., creating educational material and social media platforms).
• Assisting in the coordination of initial meetings and trainings with the volunteers and biologist.
• Assisting in the planning and coordination of the temporary closing of the nesting area. Assisting with the posting and "closed area" signs.
• Assisting in the coordination with the Visitor Services Specialist for the public awareness outreach activities a month before the temporary closing.
• The member will be directly involved in the follow-up with the volunteers on the monitoring calendar to ensure that the different monitoring zones are visited.
• Communicating with volunteers through a group chat and Teams chat for coordination.
• Performing independent monitoring of three focus species (Snowy Plover, Wilson's Plover, and Least Tern).
• Assisting the biologist in the data collection and data management.
• Assisting the biologist in the installation and review of images of motion sensing cameras for nest monitoring.
• Participating in community outreach efforts such as public presentations, educating and engaging the public about Cabo Rojo National Wildlife Refuge Complex focal shore/seabird species.

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 be carried out Tuesdays - Saturdays. This is a part time position (20 hours per week). Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 40 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including 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 ~20 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $250/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 eligibility information on our usaconservation website.

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

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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.
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions (heat, humidity, wind, biting insects).
• Ability to walk in uneven terrain and carry field equipment for long distances.
• Has good communication skills, works well with others, and enjoys working outside.
• A willingness to work on long days and weekends as needed.
• A genuine passion for conservation and the mission of the US Fish and Wildlife Service
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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 at usaconservation dot org.

Preferred:

• Local applicants are preferred, as there is no housing provided
• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in Wildlife Biology, Ecology, Environmental Education and/or have relevant experience in these subject areas.
• Experience managing volunteers
• Experience using optical equipment (binoculars and spotting scopes)
• Familiarity with field research techniques and Microsoft Office

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 required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 40 lbs, ability to move up to 40 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.When indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: When outdoors, moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. When indoors, 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. Hot and buggy conditions should be expected.

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 ACE's online application page for this position on our usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications 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.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Current Openings for Volunteer Coordinator Jobs at American Conservation Experience - EPIC