ACE: Forestry & Invasive Species Member, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, LA – AmeriCorps Eligible
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking 1 Forestry and Invasive Species member to work directly with the refuge staff at Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge.
These opportunities are intended for enthusiastic individuals with a background in Wildlife Biology or Forestry who possess an interest in gaining experience in the field of Wildlife Conservation and Management.
Start Date: February, 2022
End Date: 24-weeks later
Location: Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, LA
Project Website: For more information about Atchafalaya NWR, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/atchafalaya/
Living Allowance: ACE Members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $300 /week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in Refuge housing at no cost for the duration of the internship when intern residences are greater than 50 miles from the duty station.
AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 675 hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($2417.14) upon successful completion of internship service hours. Additional enrollment is required.
Position Description:
Major duties will include control of invasive species that impact the forest environment including feral hogs and Chinese tallow trees. Duties include forest invasive exotic plant control (herbicide application) and mapping and trapping feral hogs. The member will work under a refuge employee’s certified applicator’s license. Other duties such as timber marking, marking boundary line, and trail and other public use area maintenance may occur.
Qualifications:
Required:
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- Must be 18-30 years of age (Interns must be 21-35 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
- A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required (documentation to be provided upon request)
- Ability to work alone and in a group
- Proficient in English
- Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
- Wearing a clearly visible ACE-EPIC uniform component is required at all times
- Ability to work doing strenuous activity for significant periods of time, often walking over rough terrain and in muddy conditions; on rough or uneven surfaces; wading through vegetation choked marshes, lifting and carrying heavy objects, and in many instances during difficult weather conditions.
- Collection survey data requires good vision and fieldwork results in exposure to such things as: poison ivy insects, sun, wind, temperature variation and many varieties of pollen.
- Ability to help maintain public use sites, such as clearing roads of debris, collecting public use data, removing trash, helping with sign replacement, etc.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a _____ degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position.
- Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports.
- Familiarity with geographic information system (GIS), aerial photography and survey techniques, and global positioning systems (GPS).
- Ability to communicate in writing in order to assist in the preparation of wildlife management survey summaries
- Ability to operate small watercraft, cars, trucks and trailers.
- Ability to bait and set traps for hogs and monitor and remove hogs
- Ability to use various specialized tools and equipment required to conduct wildlife studies surveys.
- Ability to capture, handle, and tag or collar various wildlife.
- Seasonal field studies involve considerable physical demands, such as frequent, extensive travel on foot; bending; crouching; and climbing; exertion from lifting and carrying equipment; and energy drain from cold, wet and windy weather.
- Ability to help maintain public use sites, such as clearing roads of debris, collecting public use data, removing trash, helping with sign replacement, etc.
- Must be in good physical condition and anticipate the demands of each field trip. Occasionally lifts containers weighing up to 35 pounds.
ACE Emerging Professionals must be willing to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, unofficial academic transcripts, 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/. ***Academic transcripts are required for verification of related coursework and professional development purposes, as opposed to evaluating prior academic performance.***
NOTE: 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 Division Support Specialist, Claire Barnwell, cbarnwell@usaconservation.org or (585) 489-5092.
Vaccination Requirement: 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.
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.