Deadline: Mon, 01/01/2024 - 12:00pm Employer: Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Refuge Complex Job Field: Wildlife Job Type: Full Time Location: Florida Location Detail: Collier County, Florida Job Description: 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 the Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Refuge Complex. During this term, the ACE Member will have the ability to gain a wide range of career building experiences, while contributing to the critically needed management activities on the Refuge Complex. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of: Biological surveys, inventories and other monitoring projects Inventory and treatment of invasive plants and animals Public outreach, data collection and data entry Refuge management activities such as equipment/facility maintenance and trail clearing 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 (8:00AM-4:30PM EST) for a total of 40 hours per week, with occasional weekend and nighttime work. Sea turtle activities from May to September may require beginning work as early as 5:30AM, two-three days per week. 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 two-part criminal history check. Able to work independently in the field without direct supervision/assistance, as well as in a diverse team setting. 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. To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. Benefits: Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $645/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. 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 in a shared bunkhouse setting on the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge at no cost for the duration of the term. Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, pants, outerwear, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. Provided Training/Orientation: The 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 completion of the federal Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC), and ATV/UTV Certification Course. 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: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1038210
