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Biology Member – Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge

Biology Member – Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge 

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking ONE Biology Member to contribute to biological monitoring and protocol development, invasive species management, leadership of volunteer program participants and data analysis projects alongside Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge staff. 
 
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date:  April 3rd, 2023
Estimated End Date:    August 12th, 2023 
**19 week commitment required, start date flexibility within month of April

Location Details/Description: Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, Ibapah, UT, with occasional work at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Brigham City, UT.

Located on the southern extreme of the Great Salt Lake Desert, Fish Springs has been a place of essential importance in meeting human and wildlife needs over the past 11,000 years. Most critical are the life-sustaining waters that make Fish Springs a true oasis in the desert. 

Ancestral homelands to the nomadic Goshute (Gosiuta) tribe, Fish Springs supplied necessary water and food to the tribe.  Established March 10, 1959 by the first land purchase of 2,160 acres, Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge became one of the over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System - a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge was established using proceeds from the sale of Federal Duck Stamps.

Established to provide habitat for migratory birds within the Pacific Flyway, Fish Springs’ wetlands comprise approximately 10,000 acres of its 17,942 total acres. Spring flows are created by artesian pressure and hydrothermal convection along fracture zones in the Great Basin Carbonate Rock and Alluvial Aquifer. The springs discharge approximately 22,000 – 27,000 acre-feet of water per year, most of which is recharged from areas outside the Fish Springs Flat.

For more information about Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge, pleasevisit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/fish_springs/

For more information about Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/bear_river_migratory_bird_refuge/ 

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 the mission at Fish Springs NWR by continuing the transition and advancement of the Refuge Integrated Pest Management Program. In recent years, the refuge has transitioned to an ArcGIS Online platform for the collection of mapping and treatment data.  In addition, the refuge has made significant upgrades to equipment and facilities to increase safety, efficiency, and efficacy.  The goal of this  position is to continue that work and build upon the new foundation and successes of the past two seasons.  The position will primarily be based at Fish Springs NWR,  but may require three to four one-week trips to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge to assist with their IPM mapping field work.  Refuge housing is also included for these visits. 

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.


The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

  • Develop recommendations for measuring the effectiveness of invasive species treatments (using remote sensing, vegetation information, literature review, etc.) with an emphasis on perennial pepperweed  (Lepidum latifolium s).
  • Develop and conduct short term biological monitoring activities using conventional techniques for developing baseline information on birds, fish, and small animals, including their habitat, growth, and feeding requirements.
  • Coordinate with the Visitor Services Program to train volunteers on implementation of baseline biological monitoring surveys.
  • Coordinate with Visitor Services Program to develop and conduct outreach to visitors on a variety of topics (monarch migration, habitat management, etc.), using social media, the Refuge website, visitor interactions, and brochures, etc.
  • Utilize GIS technology for data collection and to provide products to inform refuge management decisions.
  • Catalog, organize and prioritize existing biological data to facilitate answering key management questions.
  • Assist in implementation of the Refuge Hunt Program including working with Visitor Services staff to develop an online reservation system.

Schedule: Duties will typically  be carried out between 7am and 5pm Mountain, Monday - Friday, typically 5 days/week (5/8s) with flexibility up to 10 hrs/dat. Work hours may vary. 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.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is anticipated to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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. 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 here

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided refuge housing at no cost for the duration of the term. 

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.

Qualifications
Required:  
  • Member 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 
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • 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.
  • 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. 
  • Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
  • Knowledge and experience working in biological sciences.
  • Ability to effectively communicate with supervisor and coworkers.
  • Ability to independently develop protocols and lead volunteer groups in biological monitoring surveys.
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Enthusiasm for interacting with people and learning how to assist visitors to enjoy refuge resources responsibly.
  • Commitment to data accuracy, completing tasks thoroughly and on time.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office software.
  • Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved
  • Effective communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences
  • Ability to operate independently and in remote areas
  • To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here

Preferred: 
  • Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position.
  • Experience conducting biological surveys;
  • Experience in wildlife monitoring; 
  • Experience developing biological monitoring protocols;
  • Workplace experience leading teams in field based data collection;
  • Experience working with the public and conducting outreach via website, social media, classroom settings, etc.; 
  • Experience conducting invasive plant management;
  • GIS education and workplace experience 
  • Experience working with heavy equipment (e.g., tractors, backhoes, skidsteer, etc.)

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:
  • Physical Demands: This position requires physical exertion such as hiking long distances over hot, wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment and may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements. 
  • Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.. 
  • Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs, ability to move up to 40 lbs.
  • Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.When indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. 
  • Noise Environment: Outdoor-Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Indoor- Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
  • Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members  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. Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors. Temperature and weather extremes can be encountered in the performance of outdoor duties. Fish Springs National Wildlife Refuge is in a remote location and accessed by dirt road. The nearest grocery store/town is 105 miles away.

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.  

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 at njackosky@usaconservation.org or 628-888-9336.

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.