Inventory and Monitoring Assistant Member – USFWS Pacific Southwest Regional Office

Inventory and Monitoring Assistant Member – USFWS Pacific Southwest Regional Office (Region 8)

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is seeking ONE Inventory and Monitoring Assistant Member to assist USFWS staff  in developing and implementing an Inventory and Monitoring Program on National Wildlife Refuges in California, Nevada and the Klamath Basin of Oregon.

Start Date: May 2024

End Date: October 2024

**23  week commitment required**

Location: USFWS Pacific Southwest Regional Office (Region 8) Sacramento, CA (but some work can be completed virtually/teleservice- preferably located within commuting distance of office. Potential for fully remote status but must be in Pacific Time Zone). 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Region 8 is headquartered in Sacramento, California, and has federal fish and wildlife management responsibilities in California, Nevada, and the Klamath Basin in southern Oregon. The Region includes one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the United States, ranging from the arid sand dunes in the Mojave Desert to the snow-capped crags in the high Sierras; from rich farmland in the Central Valley to rain-soaked redwood forests along the Pacific coast. This highly diverse geography provides habitats for a vast array of wildlife. More than 42 million people live within the Region, and expanding population centers such as San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Reno, San Diego, and Las Vegas are increasing demands on natural resources, presenting unique challenges to the Region’s conservation mission.

The Service is responsible for managing the National Wildlife Refuge System, operating fish hatcheries and fishery resource offices, enforcing federal wildlife laws, managing migratory bird populations, conserving and restoring habitats, and overseeing a federal aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars to state, fish and wildlife agencies.

For more information about USFWS Pacific Region, please visit:

https://www.fws.gov/program/pacific-region 

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 placement includes participating in inventory and monitoring planning, monitoring implementation, data analysis and reporting. The purpose of the placement is to perform a variety of biological technical duties in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) Inventory and Monitoring projects pertaining to a variety of ecosystems. 

This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development. The fellow will become familiar with land management agencies and have the opportunity to network with agency professionals. Position responsibilities will likely involve exposure to a variety of conservation fields and the ability to shadow different work groups.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

 Inventory and Monitoring Plan Implementation 

Percentage of Time: 40%

Primarily assists the Refuge Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning Inventory and Monitoring leaders in implementing an Inventory and Monitoring Plan on Refuges. Duties will include providing technical assistance with the implementation of Inventory and Monitoring Plans and protocol documentation. The intern will also assist senior biologists in documenting survey protocols identified as high priority in the Inventory and Monitoring Plan by observing refuge staff and review of reference documents. There will be a focus on documenting the data management elements of a protocol. The intern will assist senior staff with evaluation of management objectives using available evidence from monitoring surveys, this may include summary of data. Use knowledge of biological systems, databases, ArcGIS and R to prepare documentation of priority resources of concern, develop conservation summaries to support development of management objectives and Inventory and Monitoring plans. Prepare and edit reports, survey protocols, training materials, standard operating procedures and other documents developed to assist Refuge biologists and technicians to implement the inventory and monitoring plan. Participate on regional planning teams and assist team leaders by providing support for managing and coordinating teams. Support includes helping develop team agendas, taking and posting meeting and call notes, facilitating communication between team members and tracking actions.

GIS standardization and visualization

Percentage of Time: 40%

Assists biologists with the standardization of geospatial data and development of AGOL libraries of data for refuges and the associated metadata. Duties will include updating and verifying refuge data in centralized GIS data layers, creating standardized AGOL maps for refuges and creating standard operating procedures for maintaining the data layers. Duties can also include working with refuge staff to create visualizations of data layers and information from monitoring surveys.

Data Management

Percentage of Time: 20%

Manage survey data on at least two National Wildlife Refuges. Duties will include assistance with the priority monitoring data collection, standardization, data management and analysis. Document data, data management workflows, and data resource needs. Assist with the development of inventory sampling design, spreadsheets and databases to facilitate survey efforts. Assist team leaders and Refuge staff in configuring inventory data management procedures to meet specific Refuge survey objectives. Use knowledge of natural resource monitoring techniques, plant identification, spreadsheet and database programs, ArcGIS and statistical analysis to assist with the assessment of Refuge priority resources of concern.

Fieldwork component of work  is ultimately optional. If a selected candidate has high interest in field work, field work can be incorporated into the position as appropriate. 

Schedule: Duties will typically be carried out between 8am and 5 pm PST, Monday – Friday. 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 on weekends. Time off requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $900/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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement:  ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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.

Grant Funding Opportunity:  The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE’s Access and Inclusion Grant. 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. Grant recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of grants 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 valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)- (only applicable if applicant wants to do field work during term of service).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required 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.
• Able to complete agency computer, privacy, and records management training successfully;
• Have a positive, flexible attitude.
• Ability to operate independently and in remote areas (only applicable if applicant wants to do field work during term of service)
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a bachelor’s degree (or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree) in biology, wildlife biology, ecology, botany, natural resource management, geography parks and recreation or other related disciplines appropriate to the position. A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable.  Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the internship announcement. 
• Open to hiring active student and having some part-time work available
• Knowledge of the basic procedure and technical terminology used in the field of conservation planning, wildlife biology, plant ecology, invasive species management and the inventory and monitoring of natural resources.
• Knowledge and skills in writing in a clear, concise, and organized manner for an audience of professional peers.
• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
• Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting.
• Knowledge and skills in taking exact measurements, performing mathematics, some of which may be complicated, and keeping detailed and precise records to collect and assemble data. 
• Experience and/or knowledge with Microsoft Excel and Access, GPS, GIS and data collection software and equipment.
• Experience with the R or Python scripting languages.
• Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional.
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: This position may require physical exertion such as hiking short distances over hot, wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching (only applicable if applicant wants to do field work during term of service)
• Vision Requirements: This position may require close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Manual dexterity may be 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.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 50 lbs., ability to move up to 50 lbs.  (only applicable if applicant wants to do field work during term of service)
• Environmental: Indoor and outdoor conditions. When outdoors, work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. When indoors,  indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: 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 may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, biting insects, high humidity, 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. Duties are performed primarily outdoors. Temperature and weather extremes can be encountered in the performance of outdoor duties.

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.