USFWS South TX Restoration Team Member
Conservation Begins Here
USFWS South TX Restoration Team
Expected Dates
October 3, 2022 to April 2, 2023
Site
Lower Rio Grande NWR
Position ID
PO-00732081
The SCA Lone Star Conservation Corps is a partnership between SCA, USFWS Lower Rio Grande and TX One Star Foundation.
The SCA Lone Star Conservation Corps is a 26-week AmeriCorps program focused on leadership development, completing critical conservation service projects, and building a sense of community. The Corps is composed of 1 project leader and 4 young adult members 18+. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the hard and soft skills of being a conservation leader, come join this community of like-minded, service oriented individuals and help us tackle some of the South Texas Coast’s most pressing conservation issues.
Program Description
The South Texas Refuge Complex Corps Team, made up of one Project Leader and four Crew Members (ages 18+), will work on US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lands in the southern most areas of Texas for 26 weeks.
The South Texas Refuge Complex Corps Team will focus primarily on hands on removal through chainsaw and treating invasive species across almost 5,000 acres. This team is for those who love a physical challenge! This team can expect to work regularly in an extremely hot and humid environment on tough projects. Herbicide application is a major part of this position. As an aside, there will be opportunities for this team to work on a separate Remote Sensing project to assist in mapping invasive species across almost 9,554 acres in Hidalgo, Starr and Cameron Counties. This is a research project with two higher education partners and it is important work that will reduce the risk of wildfire and improve habitat for migratory birds on USFWS lands.
This team will work with USFWS staff to mechanically and chemically control invasive species. Invasive species can include Carrizo Cane, Salt Cedar, Athel, Brazilian Pepper-Tree, Chinaberry, Chinese Tallow, Tree Tobacco, and Castor Bean.
USFWS staff will train this team on species identification and treatment technique, GPS use, GIS data entry, and herbicide and environmental safety awareness. The crew will also have opportunities to be trained in other aspects of the Restoration Program and the Refuge’s Biology Program.
Other work opportunities include: Nursery care & management, tree tube removals, plantings and community engagement events.
Equipment Use
The refuge will provide all herbicide and application equipment for chemical treatment of invasive species. Any use of chemicals will require pesticide use training as well as a review of the label and safety data sheet for every chemical used. Use of personal protective equipment will be mandatory for any activity that requires it especially for herbicide and chainsaw application. Local training is allowed for small equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, ATVs and UTVs. The refuge will provide specialized tools such as brushcutters when modified treatment techniques become necessary.
Work Breakdown (Work is %100 outside)
45% Chainsaw application
45 % Herbicide application
10 % Remote Sensing/ GPS/ GIS
Site Description
The South Texas Refuge Complex (STRC) protects 67,088 acres in extreme southern Texas, comprised of:
- Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (LRGV NWR)
The LRGVNWR aims to connect fragmented habitats to achieve corridors for wildlife movement, seeking to conserve biodiversity through land acquisition, habitat restoration, and conservation education.
- Santa Ana NWR
Santa Ana NWR, located along the Rio Grande, was established for the protection of migratory birds. It is also included as an Urban Refuge through the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, seeks to engage the local community in conservation, both at the local refuges as well as in the local community.
Preference will be given to applicants that are interested in pursuing an environmental career and those that are local to southern Texas and/or the Gulf coast.
2022 Tentative Schedule
*Please note – this is a tentative schedule. Dates may change, but training opportunities will remain the same.
10/03/2022- 10/07/2022: Wilderness First Responder and Chainsaw Training
10/10/2023-10/14/2022: Additional Skills training and member orientation
10/17/2022 – 3/30/2023: Field Season (Monday- Thursday 7am- 5:30 pm)
3/31/2023: Final wrap up and Recognition Day.
Leadership development
Leadership development is an important component of SCA Lone Star Conservation Corps. Members will go through intentional leadership and communication training to prepare them to excel as leaders in the field. Responsibilities include managing the work and progress of the crew, meal planning, assessing and managing risk on the project, and reporting and administrative tasks during and following the hitch. SCA Lone Star Conservation Corps field staff will be assigned to support the crew to provide technical on-the-ground support/training and additional leadership training and guidance (as needed).
Crew Housing
Housing will be provided for all members for the duration of the program. Housing will be shared with other members. During training season, members will commute from their designated housing to the corps training location at a local state forest. Program vehicles will be provided for this daily commute. During field season, members should expect to be traveling with their crew throughout project sites in the Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge.
Responsibilities
- Ensure project, basecamp, community, and general safety standards are upheld; full engagement is expected in all work projects and community activities.
- Interfacing with general public and partner organizations in a manner that reflects positively upon the crew, organization, and agency.
- Serve as a professional liaison with park managers and SCA project leader and staff, handling the logistics of a project, meal planning, delegating responsibilities, developing emergency response plans, and completing all necessary paperwork.
- Recording work totals and creating reports for submission to agency partners; this may include GPS field data collection and post-processing.
- Comply with all SCA, USFWS, and AmeriCorps policies and refrain from any prohibited activities.
Member Qualifications (Essential Functions)
- Interest and investment in leadership development and teamwork is required.
- Commitment to living and working within an intensive crew environment; interpersonal skills and community living experience are pluses.
- Commitment to service in working conditions that will include: extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.
- Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
- Ability to enroll in AmeriCorps Education Award Program.
- Ability to lift 50 lbs. and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 1 mile.
- Ability to pass SCA’s background check.
Member Benefits
- Compensation: $520/week living allowance.
- Housing is provided for entire program and food is provided for hitches.
- AmeriCorps Award (900 hours = $3,247.50) upon successful completion of program.
- Health Insurance Option
- Member Assistance Program
- Trainings provided: Wilderness First Aid, Leave No Trace Trainer, Chainsaw, GPS, Trails Work Skills Training, and SCA Leadership Development Training.
- Some camping equipment provided.
Hours
Corps members serve approximately 40 hours a week for a period of 6.5months. Members must achieve a minimum of 900 hours of service within that 6.5-month period (roughly 26 weeks of service). Service hours are typically performed Monday through Thursday during training conservation season. The general schedule each day is service from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm.
**This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. **
*** Conditions of Service - All SCA Lone Start Conservation Corps members are required to be fully vaccinated. Full vaccination is defined as having received a booster shot six months after the Pfizer and Moderna primary series and two months after the Johnson & Johnson primary series.***
It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all members is central to the continued success of our programs. We will not discriminate against an applicant because of race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, physical disability, mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expressions in selections, terminations and or recommendations. Opportunity is provided to all applicants in the basis of qualifications and program requirements. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants during the selection process and to members during service.
Training/Education Opportunities
- Chainsaw S212
- Herbicide application
- Plant identification
- Invasive species management
- Plant propagation
- Seed collection
- Germination techniques
- Leadership
- Wilderness First Aid
Qualifications
- Must be available for the FULL program.
- Must be able to enroll in AmeriCorps
- Applicants must be 18+
- Must be comfortable working in the elements and walking 3 or more miles per day
- Outdoor skills; experience working with diverse groups; ability to maintain a safe, productive and enjoyable work environment.
Apply Today!!!
The Student Conservation Association, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.