SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Shorebird Monitoring and Biology Support Members to contribute to the biology program alongside Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Start Date: April 24, 2023
Estimated End Date: September 8, 2023
*20 week commitment is required – start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility*
Location Details/Description: Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Shirley, NY
For more information about Long Island NWR Complex, please visit https://www.fws.gov/northeast/longislandrefuges/
Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will assist with shorebird monitoring and management, salt marsh monitoring and management, and invasive species management as well as support for other biological projects. Members may travel to nearby refuges to assist with work. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in other activities on the refuge. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:
- Completing assigned tasks related to information and data collection, acquisition, entry, organization and management
- Maintaining fencing and equipment within shorebird breeding habitat
- Conducting nest searches, conducting nest and brood monitoring, and predator monitoring.
- Conducting salt marsh monitoring and carrying out management actions
- Conducting rare and protected plant surveys
- Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws). Work may be conducted by canoe or kayak (e.g., pulling water chestnut),
- Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys, refuge outreach events, and other refuge duties.
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 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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $425/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $2,417.14 upon successful completion.
Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. 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 here.
Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.
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 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.
- 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.
- Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
- To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 2-year or 4-year college degree (education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject preferred)
- Able to walk and stand for long periods
- Able to physically pull or remove invasive plants with hand tools
- Familiarity with GPS and iPads
- Ensure quality of the data collected
- Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
- Ability to identify shorebirds and willingness to learn
- Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
- Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to live communally in a clean and respectful manner
- Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects, heat, humidity, rain
- Willingness to participate in training
- Willingness to work on office tasks including report development, use of AGOL and arcgis pro, filing and other tasks as needed
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 USFWS Member Manager, Claire Barnwell at cbarnwell@usaconservation.org or (585) 484-7626.
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.
