What are the responsibilities and job description for the Habitat Management Member - Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge position at American Conservation Experience?
Habitat Management Member - Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge
Summary :
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one Habitat Management Member to contribute to assist with habitat management projects alongside Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.
Start Date : April 7, 2025 (flexible)
Estimated End Date : February 27, 2026
- a 47 week minimum commitment is required
Location Details / Description : Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge, Tallulah, LA
Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1980 to preserve one of the largest privately owned tracts of bottomland hardwoods remaining in the Mississippi Delta. The bottomland hardwood forest contains a diversity of plant and animal species. Over 400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish can be found on the refuge. This includes the state's largest population of the Louisiana black bear which was formerly on the endangered species list.
Refuge staff manage and conserve habitat for wildlife while maintaining public access to various wildlife-dependent recreational activities including hunting, fishing, bird-watching, photography, and more.
For more information about Tensas River NWR, please visit the FWS 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 that mission at Tensas River NWR.
Members will support habitat management projects including removal of beavers, hogs and invasive plants, as well as opportunities to participate in other forestry and biological projects.
Primary duties include :
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 (6 : 30am-4pm), with every other Friday off. 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 over 8-hour work days and working 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 expected to contribute ~40 hours / week and will receive a living allowance of $630 / 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 eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org.
Housing : ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing 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 : 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 firearm, heavy machinery (tractors, etc), UTV / ATV, chainsaw, and Motorboat Operator Certification Course (MOCC).
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 scholarship 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 :
Preferred :
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions :
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 ACE's 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 Member Manager, Cait Dunne.
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.
Salary : $630
