Biology Intern-Parker, AZ

Biology Intern – AmeriCorps (1 opening)

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

Site Location: Lake Havasu National Refuge Complex

(60911 Highway 95, Parker, AZ 85344)

Term of Service:

• Start Date: 3/24/2025 (anticipated)
• End Date: 9/19/2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours, 26 week term 

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the Lake Havasu National Refuge Complex as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, Tucson, and Phoenix, Arizona. 

Partner Agency:

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Lake Havasu National Wildlife Refuge and Bill Williams River Refuge work in cooperation with the Lower Colorado River Multi Species Conservation Plan (LCRMSCP), which manages endangered plant, and animal species impacted by the damming of the lower Colorado River. The refuge hosts several LCRMSCP habitat restoration projects which benefit the native fish and wildlife that use the refuge. By working together with partner organizations, we are better able to accomplish our mission to "...conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."

Lake Havasu National Refuge Complex:
The refuge part of the Lake Havasu Refuge Complex provides habitat for numerous federally endangered and threatened species on the Lower Colorado and Bill Williams River including providing migration stops as part of the Pacific Flyway for migrating waterfowl. The refuges provide many opportunities for a number of communities including Needles, CA, Golden Shores, AZ, Lake Havasu City, AZ. These benefits include tourism and the monetary support it provides to local communities, and recreational benefits for community members such as hunting, fishing, photography, and birding. The refuge is also of critical importance to local tribes. There are many cultural sites including the marsh itself that are sacred to Indigenous communities along the Colorado River. The intern will help with the science that manages for a healthy marsh and ecosystem which is vital to so many animals and people in the area.

Description of Duties:

The biological intern position will focus primarily on annual wildlife surveys beginning in March. Duties will include but not limited to marsh bird surveys via kayak on the complex, assisting with snake surveys, vegetation monitoring within restoration sites, and assisting in writing biological reports for refuge needs. Interns will gain experience with numerous field surveys and monitoring requirements on national wildlife refuges. The intern will help with the science that manages for a healthy marsh and ecosystem which is vital to so many animals and people in the area.

Monitoring of marsh bird species is a critical component to determining management steps to maintain a healthy marsh ecosystems. When populations are declining in an area, it gives indicators to plan for prescribed burns to restore health of a marsh.

Biology is the key component of this position but, there will be many opportunities to shadow with managers, law enforcement, maintenance staff, and visitor services including other agency biologists.

The intern will receive training in the following areas: how to identify marsh birds by sound and sight,

proper kayak and boating skills, how to safely operate federal vehicles on refuge lands, and how to deal with heat stress and other related safety needs. If needed, additional training will be provided for assisting with restoration efforts, wildlife surveys, plant identification, and survey methodology.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Complete marsh bird surveys on Havasu NWR.
• Complete 3 replicates of all the survey routes on Havasu NWR.
• Ensure surveys are followed using national standard protocols developed for the sites.
• Upload all data to national database.
• Complete surveys on Havasu NWR or Bill Williams River NWR
• Assist with wildlife surveys when requested from manager.
• Complete necessary protocols for surveys.
• Assist with checkered garter snake surveys, bird surveys, and other similar surveys.
• Assist with restoration efforts on Havasu and/or Bill Williams River.
• Assist with native plant monitoring.
• Assist with watering needs for restoration sites.
• Perform vegetation survival surveys when needed.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 18 years of age.
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.

• Applicants should possess a general biology degree (undergraduate and/or graduate degree) that focuses on any of the following: ornithology, herpetology, limnology, mammalogy, wildlife management, fisheries management, general biology, ecology, or range management.
• The candidate must be able to lift and carry 50 lbs. for short distances.
• Must be able to work outdoors in high temperatures in the summer months that will exceed 110F.
• Operate a kayak solo in low light conditions.
• Must be able to work alone with little or no supervision.
• Valid driver’s license with 3 year driving history required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Boating experience.
• Field experience in Arizona’s low deserts during summer.

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 with successful completion of position.

• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $200 per week.
• On-site housing is available.
• Public Lands Corps Certificate*
• Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Supervisor Name:

This position reports to Joseph Barnett, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Deputy Complex Manager

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application by clicking the APPLY link in this page.

If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org. 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Salary : $200 - $600