European Green Crab Technician - AmeriCorps

Position Title: European Green Crab Technician - AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements- BIA WaterCorps Program

Site Location: Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR), 715 Holgerson Rd, Sequim, WA 98382

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by February 15, 2025.

Terms of Service:

• Ideal Start Date: April 1, 2025
• End Date: September 26, 2025
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hour (26 weeks)

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards partners with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to facilitate the WaterCorps Program to provide opportunities to Tribal Members seeking to gain experience in the water resources field. This WaterCorps position will be hosted by the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR).

The European Green Crab Technician is an AmeriCorps position that will assist the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s Refuge Management staff in the monitoring and control of invasive European Green Crab (EGC) from Dungeness Bay and other waterways within and adjacent to the wildlife refuge. The AmeriCorps position will support the Tribe’s co-management of the refuge, through the protection of natural resources and raising awareness about the ecological impacts of invasive species. The program is guided by a commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and sustainable management practices. The Tribe values collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and integrity, fostering transparent, effective conservation efforts that empower the community and support long-term ecological balance.

The purpose of this AmeriCorps service is to support ongoing efforts in managing invasive European Green Crab and promoting awareness of invasive species impacts in local waterways. The European Green Crab Technician will conduct field surveys, assist in trapping efforts, lead volunteers, collaborate with biologists, and assist in education and outreach to the community. This role connects directly to the Tribe’s mission of protecting local ecosystems by contributing to hands-on conservation efforts and community outreach initiatives.

Description of Duties:

• Follow all established protocols and safety procedures provided by Refuge staff

• Set up traps in designated locations to capture invasive EGC

• Capture and remove EGC from traps following established guidelines for humane handling and disposal

• Work collaboratively with Refuge staff, volunteers, and organizational partners

• Walk and carry equipment over rough terrain in all weather conditions

• Lead and supervise Refuge volunteers in trapping efforts

• Correctly identify species found in traps

• Collect, record, and analyze data

• Assist Refuge staff in community outreach activities

Qualifications:

• Must be a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions:
  • Persons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes indigenous to the United States
  • Descendants of Members of Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities who were residing on any Indian Reservation on June 1, 1934 – shown by completing BIA Form 4432

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older

• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of 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 Checks for Conservation Legacy and potentially the host site.

• Strong interest in the conservation of natural resources

• Ability to learn the equipment, materials, and protocols for EGC monitoring and control

• Physical ability to sit, climb, kneel, and walk over rough terrain in all weather conditions while carrying field equipment

• Must have good manual dexterity to handle sensitive species in a humane manner

• Ability to learn how to identify different species

• Must be able to work independently and as a part of a team

• Ability to lift, carry, and move up to 30 lbs

• Must be able to demonstrate strong attention to detail

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• College degree or college-level classes in Biological Sciences

• Experience in field data collection and data analysis

• Experience working with volunteers and/or in a customer service setting

• Experience in educational outreach

• Experience working in coastal environments

• Proficient in Excel or GoogleSheets

Additional Position and Community Information:

The European Green Crab Technician will be serving the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and the local communities of Sequim and the broader Olympic Peninsula. The population of Sequim and surrounding areas are primarily low-moderate income. Technicians will work directly with the tribe’s Refuge and Natural Resources staff and the Refuge’s volunteers. Many of the refuge’s volunteers come from the large, retired population in the area.

The European Green Crab Technician will be provided with on-site housing in a private cabin at the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR) for the duration of the program. The refuge is located in a rural community and public transportation is limited. Members may benefit from having a personal vehicle to access amenities in town such as groceries or medical facilities, if members do not have a personal vehicle Refuge staff will arrange for members to access amenities as needed.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697 awarded upon successful completion of position.

• Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.

• Additional Benefit of $100.00 per week.

• Professional Development fund of $2,255.00 for entire term.

• Option to choose Healthcare Coverage and Childcare Coverage

• Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)

• Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)

How to Apply:
In addition to your resume, you must upload a copy of your Tribal ID proving you are enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe, Band, or village. Please also submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.

Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by February 15, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will close on March 1, 2025.

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Program Contact information: Andre Nguyen at anguyen@conservationlegacy.org

• Service Site Contact information: Fawn Wagner, Wildlife Refuge Manager, fwagner@jamestowntribe.org

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. 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.

Additional Details

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 25 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:

• This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.

• Lunch breaks 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 orientation that includes program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

• Member will receive an orientation and training to successfully perform the essential functions of the position, including species identification and data collection.

• Members who have a valid Driver’s License may be required to take a Driver’s Safety Course to operate government vehicles.

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.