USFWS- Fisheries and Outreach Intern– AmeriCorps

Position Title: Fisheries and Outreach Intern– AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - New York Field Office, 3817 Luker Road, Cortland, NY 13045                      

Terms of Service:

• Anticipated Start Date: 4/14/2025
• Anticipated End Date: 8/29/2025 (20 weeks)
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours

Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps Program which provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural and cultural resources. The history of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) can be traced back to 1871. The USFWS is the only federal government agency whose primary responsibility is to manage fish and wildlife resources in the public trust for people today and future generations. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission statement is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Fish Enhancement, Mitigation, and Research Fund (FEMRF) is a hydro relicensing settlement, focused on mitigating the fisheries impact of the Robert Moses Power Dam (St. Lawrence Power Project) on the St. Lawrence River. The purpose of the FEMRF program is to benefit fisheries resources in the Lake Ontario/St. Lawrence River Basin and to continue research on the American eel and other species that may be affected by the Project.

The Fisheries and Outreach Intern is an AmeriCorps Position which will serve directly with the FEMRF Team. Spring activities will include collecting lake sturgeon and muskellunge broodstock and harvesting eggs for conservation/recovery efforts. In addition, the Fisheries and Outreach Intern will be involved in an acoustic telemetry project and will range from surgically implanting acoustic tags to maintaining an expansive acoustic receiver array. In addition, the Fisheries and Outreach Intern will assist the FWS office in providing social media posts, blog posts, and other outreach materials as well as attending outreach events representing the office.

If you are ready to embark on a fulfilling journey with the New York Field Office, apply now by uploading your resume and cover letter, and take the first step towards a rewarding career with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service! 

 
Description of Duties:

• Serving with the FEMRF team conducting on-water fisheries sampling.
• Lake Sturgeon/Muskellunge broodstock and egg collection. 
• Serving with the FEMRF Team on all aspects of the St Lawrence River Telemetry Project, including maintaining a receiver array and tagging

• Assisting the Outreach Coordinator by providing social media outreach, blog posts, and other outreach materials.
• Attending outreach events representing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 
Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
• Between the ages of 18 – 30, or up to age 35 with Veteran status.
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License.
• Ideally, a background in fisheries or aquatic biology.
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Ability to work outdoors on a boat, sometimes in inclement weather.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

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 legally and safely drive an organizational vehicle. 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 to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
• Service will be 40 hours per week, including some weekends.  
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
• This position requires the member to serve fully in person on site.

Orientation and Training:

• The member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

• The member will serve directly with the site supervisor on a daily basis, both in the field and There are also opportunities to work with biologists from other branches within the office.
• Training will be provided on all aspects of fisheries sampling gear, fish identification, eDNA sample collection, and acoustic telemetry
• The member will receive outreach training while serving with the Outreach Coordinator.
• Depending on the goals of the member, a network of partners can be utilized to provide a short-term detail serving with a university research team, State agency, or Federal agency

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.
• Living Allowance of $700 per week (pre-tax).
• Additional Benefit of $203.80 per week (pre-tax).
• Available Professional Development Funds of $1,500.
• Loan forbearance if Eligible.

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.

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:

Meaghan Hall

Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator

mhall@conservationlegacy.org

681-666-3266  

Conservation Legacy is 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. 

Salary : $204 - $700