Summary : American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one Visitor Services Support Member to contribute to a variety of visitor services projects alongside Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.

Start Date : September 2024

Estimated End Date : May 2025 *a 34-week minimum commitment is required

Location Details / Description : Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Willows, CA

The Sacramento NWRC includes five refuges : Sacramento, Delevan, Colusa, Sutter, and Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuges, which receives over 200,000 visitors each year The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge is home to the Complex headquarters and visitor center.

These refuges are located in the Sacramento Valley which is the most important wintering area for waterfowl and other waterbirds in the Pacific Flyway.

In addition to migratory birds, the refuge also provides important wetland habitat for the Threatened Giant Garter Snake and vernal pool habitat that supports a variety of rare plants and invertebrates.

These resources also attract many human visitors, with the Refuge Complex receiving over 200,000 recreational visits per year.

These refuges combined also provide highly sought-after hunting opportunities that welcome nearly 30,000 annually.

For more information about Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, please visit the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex website.

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 its mission at Sacramento National Wildlife Complex.

During this term, the ACE member will support and assist, under the guidance and direction of FWS staff, in the development of meaningful partnerships with schools and other organizations that serve diverse and non-traditional audiences.

Emphasis will be placed on working with communities to provide relevant environmental education programs and other opportunities that connect the public to National Wildlife Refuges and conservation.

The incumbent will assist with identifying and building partnerships in surrounding communities, assist with implementing environmental education and interpretive programs, provide visitors with information about and orientation to the Refuges and their resources, and complete various other duties to support the visitor services program as needed.

This position will provide a good overview of the work the US Fish and Wildlife Service does for wildlife and people in Northern California.

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 :

• Teaching environmental education programs to school and community groups, including developing and piloting new prog rams aligned with the Refuge's environmental education objectives, in collaboration with Refuge staff.
• Implementing visitor service program duties such as : opening, closing, and staffing the Visitor Center; providing visitors with information about and orientation to the Refuge;

conducting formal / informal interpretation at wildlife observation areas and auto tour routes; and updating informational kiosks and brochure racks across the complex.

• Assisting refuge staff with identifying and building partnerships with local schools and community organizations that serve diverse and non-traditional audiences.
• Working with groups conducting on and offsite habitat restoration projects including pollinator gardens and schoolyard habitats.
• Working on a variety of habitat projects such as keeping up the native plant garden (gardening, watering, weeding, planting plants, etc.

monitoring native plants and monarch butterflies, collecting native plant seeds, and monitoring wood duck boxes.

These duties will provide the selectee with the opportunity to reach a diverse group of people and to develop knowledge and appreciation of the local environment and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Schedule : Duties will often be carried out between 7 : 00 am and 5 : 00 pm Pacific, Monday-Friday, 5 days / week (i.e. 5 / 8s, but may include some weekend work to staff the visitor center, festivals, fairs, and / or special youth and veteran hunts).

Supervisor and member will collaborate together on setting member schedules. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours.

A flexible work schedule will be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours. 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 expected to contribute 40 hours / week and will receive a living allowance of $850 / week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Gear Reimbursement : ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority : Fellows 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 Fellows 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 eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org.

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 defensive driving if driving a government vehicle and FISSA training for computer access.

Scholarship Funding Opportunity : The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE's Access and Inclusion Scholarship.

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.

Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships are available.

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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
• If eligible to drive, a valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the require d two-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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement
• Strong writing, communication and organizational skills.
• Strong public speaking skills
• Commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and on time.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.

Preferred :

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree (education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject preferred)
• Enthusiasm for interacting with people and learning how to assist visitors to enjoy refuge resources responsibly through interpretation, customer service, and facility maintenance
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions.
• Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting.
• A personal vehicle is highly suggested for off-duty hours due to the distance of housing to office and stores

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions :

Physical Demands : Position is based indoors and outdoors. Demands may include stooping, lifting, reaching, talking, hearing, regular and recurring hiking, walking, and bending.

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 indoors, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.

• Noise Environment : Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools. 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 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.

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 on our website at usaconservation dot org .

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 USFWS Member Manager, Saige Ruleau, at sruleau at usaconservation dot org.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO : Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Last updated : 2024-06-16