Deadline: Mon, 02/05/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: American Conservation Experience Job Field: Fisheries Forestry Water and Soil Resources Wildlife Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Tennessee Location Detail: Henning, Tennessee Job Description: Biology Support Member - West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one Biology Support Member to contribute to biological projects alongside West Tennessee National Wildlife Complex Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org. Start Date: February 2024 Estimated End Date: February 2025 *a 52 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2080 hours* Location Details/Description: West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex, TN The West Tennessee Refuges Complex consists of five national wildlife refuges (Reelfoot, Lake Isom, Chickasaw, Lower Hatchie, and Hatchie). Located in Western Tennessee, they sit in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway along the Mississippi and Hatchie rivers. These refuges extend from Fulton County, Kentucky to Shelby County Tennessee, stretching over 100 miles from the northern refuge (Reelfoot) to the most southern complex (Lower Hatchie). For more information about West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/lower-hatchie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Tennessee_National_Wildlife_Refuge_Complex 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 West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The member will support a diversity of staff members including station wildlife refuge managers, biologists, foresters, public use specialists, maintenance and administrative staff who are involved in all aspects of operation and management of a number of wildlife refuges in western TN. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following: -Member will support Refuge Biologist/Forester in all aspects of forest management ranging from timber surveys, timber marking, development of forest management prescriptions, and predator control. -Member will assist refuge managers in habitat management activities including management of moist soil units, agricultural management, and water management activities. -Member will support maintenance staff in rehabilitation of refuge infrastructure including roads, levees, offices, and maintenance facilities. -Member will support public use staff in special events, on and off-site programs, I&E programs including consumptive and non-consumptive public use activities. 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: Member will normally work Monday through Friday; 5- 8 hour days per week. 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. 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: -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 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 or as defined by AmeriCorps. To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. Preferred: -Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor of -Sciences degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as forest management, habitat management, wildlife biology, waterfowl management. -Knowledge of wildlife biology, forest management, moist soil management, and agricultural management. -Ability and willingness to work in a field environment with insects, pests, mosquitoes, and snakes. -Deep interest in wildlife management. Salary: $625/week Benefits: Position Benefits Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $625/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 1700-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $6,895 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 1700 hrs. Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required. Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. 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 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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing will be available at a shared house with three bedrooms located on Lower Hatchie Refuge. The furnished bunkhouse has AC and heat available. Cell reception is available in the area but can be spotty. Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, work pants, socks, etc, and 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. Specific training may include [ATV, Agricultural/Heavy Equipment, Defensive Driving, Explosives, Banding, Firearms Safety, and Timber Surveys/Census Training. Grant Funding Opportunity: The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE’s Access and Inclusion Grant. This is a $500 grant which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Grant recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of grants are available. How to Apply: 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 FWS Member Manager, Mac Utter, at mutter@usaconservation.org. 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.
