Job Type: Paid Internship
Salary Details: $600/week
Deadline: Oct 31, 2021
Required Experience: 0 – 1 years

See full details at https://www.conservationjobboard.com/job-listing-ace-visitor-services-cares-act-member–nisqually-national-wildlife-refuge-wa-olympia-washington/2265128912

ACE EPIC placements provide recent young adult graduates with focused, hands-on opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers.

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a non-profit youth and young adult conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking a Visitor Services CARES Act Member to help mitigate COVID-related impacts on visitor services alongside USFWS Staff. During this term, the ACE member will join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects such as roving outdoor interpretation, outdoor programming, virtual education and/or interpretive programming, and staffing Visitor Centers.

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

Start Date: 12/06/21

End Date: 12/02/22

**52 week commitment required**

Location: Stationed at Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 100 Brown Farm Road, Olympia, WA 98516.

For information about USFWS and the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/billy_frank_jr_nisqually

Age Requirements: Funding for many ACE positions are provided by a federal program designed specifically for the employment of youth and young adults and therefore is subject to minimum and maximum age requirements of 18-30 (35 for veterans).

This position requires ACE or FWS vehicle operation in the performance of the duties and therefore the minimum age to be considered is 21.

Work 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.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. Additionally, selectees are eligible for a $1,100 travel allowance to cover expenses to/from duty station.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and will not be provided by ACE or USFWS. An additional housing stipend of $400/week will be provided for members.

Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-competitive Hiring Authority: Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior (DOI) PLC non-competitive hiring authority certificate upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours (16 weeks at 40 hours/week) and utilize their certificate when applying for qualifying federal positions within 2 years of receipt and before the age of 31. More information can be provided upon request.

Position Description:

This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with agency professionals. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) received funding through the CARES Act to place long term interns at field stations to help mitigate COVID-related impacts on visitor services. Projects/duties include activities such as roving outdoor interpretation, assist with virtual and/or in-person education and/or interpretive programming, and staffing visitor contact desk/Visitor Center.Many field stations have experienced increased visitation over the past 18 months, while being impacted by fewer volunteers and interns to perform key operational functions.

Working in Visitor Services your duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Participates in the development and implementation of a high quality and balanced visitor services program by recommending and implementing compatible wildlife-dependent recreation activities.
  • Consistent with current COVID and safety–related guidelines, provides interpretation, environmental education, and recreation based programming for target audiences, as determined by the field station. Programming may also be virtual.
  • Assist staff with on- and off-refuge environmental education programs.
  • Serve as visitor point of contact in the Administrative Office.
  • Assist in the operations of the Visitor Center and Friends of Nisqually NWRC Nature Shop.
  • Assists Service staff in analyzing the Visitor Services Surveys and identify under-represented communities, school districts, and youth groups.
  • Participates in the development, coordination, and implementation of site or subject- specific outreach and communication.
  • Identifies potential partnership activities with community organizations and corporations (Scouts, service organizations local governments and businesses).

Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, 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.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • 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.
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
  • Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Preferred:

  • Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associate’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology, environmental education, interpretation, or a related subject.
  • Knowledge and familiarity in the concepts of environmental conservation, natural resource management, environmental education, and interpretation.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.
  • Willingness to learn quickly and be adaptive.
  • Deep interest in gaining experience and knowledge working with a diversity of refuge staff and natural resource careers.

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.

To support the Administration’s focus on racial equity and justice, the USFWS is seeking diverse applicant pools for these positions to apply and encourage applicants who culturally identify as Hispanic/Latinx/a/o or BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color) to apply; however the Service does not discriminate with regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, personal appearance, marital status, familial status, family responsibility, pregnancy or other pregnancy-related conditions, childbirth, disability, military/veteran status, citizenship status, religion or political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal or state law, local ordinance or Executive Orders. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

HOW TO APPLY

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 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 USFWS Division Support Specialist, Danielle Ramsden at dramsden@usaconservation.org or 208-869-3555.