Interpretation and Stewardship (USFWS – National Desert Wildlife Refuge)

The Great Basin Institute (GBI), in cooperation with the United States Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), is recruiting a Research Associate (RA) with an interpretation and stewardship focus. The RA will develop and implement a stewardship program to aid ongoing habitat restoration and protection efforts at Desert National Wildlife Refuge (DNWR) with an emphasis on tribal collaboration. The RA will also provide interpretation for visitors, and work with FWS staff to enhance interpretive and educational sites throughout the Corn Creek trail system. Daily and weekly work schedules will vary to accommodate project needs. Work will take place both indoors and outdoors. Applicant must be comfortable working outside in both very hot and cold/windy conditions. This position is Public Land Corps qualified for candidates who fulfill eligibility requirements.

Job duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Assist with protecting natural and cultural resources by cultivating awareness, appreciation, and stewardship through providing interpretation, education, and outreach for a diverse public.
• Develop and conduct formal interpretive programs and informal interpretation.
• Develop content for non-personal interpretive material such as brochures, exhibits, and signs.
• Develop content for social media and websites.
• Work with volunteers and train them to perform a range of stewardship and interpretation duties.
• Develop strategies for trail improvements, and enhanced interpretation within the Corn Creek project area.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with community organizations, nonprofits, Tribal, State, County and Federal agency partners.
• Create interpretation and outreach materials.
• Identify suitable stewardship partners.
• Plan and implement stewardship activities that will provide hands-on assistance with habitat restoration and protection efforts.
• Develop and implement stewardship and interpretive activities that emphasize the importance of habitat restoration at Desert NWR.
• Participate in hands-on restoration efforts including trail enhancement, fence building, invasive plant management, native plant planting, and irrigation installation.    
• Other duties as assigned to assist refuge staff with biological and visitor services and other activities.
• Work in close cooperation with Refuge staff in all aspects of work duties, with an emphasis on tribal collaboration. The RA will also provide interpretation for visitors, and work with FWS staff to enhance interpretive and educational sites throughout the Corn Creek trail system. Daily and weekly work schedules will vary to accommodate project needs. Work will take place both indoors and outdoors. Applicant must be comfortable working outside in both very hot and cold/windy conditions.

Compensation:

• Rate of Pay: $19.35 to $23.98 /hour, depending on experience.
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance will be completely paid for at no cost to you.
• Paid leave and holidays.
• Full-time, 40 hours per week; a flexible schedule and weekend work will be required.
• Housing may be available for rent in a shared bunkhouse.
• One year appointment beginning as soon as possible and upon completion of a Department of Interior background investigation, may be extended for up to three years.

Location:
Las Vegas, Nevada

The duty station is at the Corn Creek office building for Desert NWR, just outside of Las Vegas. DNWR is the largest National Wildlife Refuge outside of Alaska and was designated in 1936 to provide habitat and protection for desert bighorn sheep. The Refuge encompasses six major mountain ranges and boasts over 500 plant species as it transitions from the Mojave to the Great Basin Desert. Corn Creek is a spring-fed riparian area amid the arid desert that is important to migratory and resident birds as well as countless other wildlife. It is also the location of the refuge visitor center and offices. The Desert Refuge Complex also includes Ash Meadows, Pahranagat, and Moapa NWRs, showcasing the abundance and variety of nature found in Southern Nevada. In addition to the scenic desert beauty at the Refuge, there are several other recreation opportunities to explore close by. Death Valley National Park, Mojave National Preserve, Joshua Tree National Park, Spring Mountains National Recreation Area, Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and more are within a few hours driving distance and afford a variety of outdoor activities including hiking, mountain biking rock climbing, fishing, boating and skiing/snowboarding.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, interpretation, or related coursework and corresponding field experience.
• Ability to plan, coordinate and implement a multi-faceted stewardship project.
• Experience facilitating meetings with stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate with partners, including but not limited to Contractors, Federal Agencies, NGO’s, Native American Tribes, youth groups and volunteers.
• Experience recruiting, training, and managing volunteers.
• Experience conducting interpretative programs related to natural resources.
• Experience working in desert ecosystems and knowledge of their natural/cultural resources.
• Ability to develop a project plan and schedule, keep multiple project components moving on schedule, maintain accurate and detailed records.
• Experience developing and implementing environmental education and outreach programs.
• Experience creating interpretive materials.
• Detail oriented and capable of working with little direct supervision.
• Flexibility to handle competing and changing priorities.
• Ability to work in harsh and rapidly changing environments.
• Computer skills including use of MS Word, PowerPoint/illustrator, Excel and other software for communication, presentations, project and data management.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally, with a diverse audience.
• Comfortable with flexible daily and weekly schedules to accommodate refuge and project needs.
• Ability to work productively and cooperatively as part of a team to accomplish mutual goals.

Additional Requirements:

• Possess valid, clean, state-issued driver’s license.
• U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.
• Willingness to submit to a background check, and pass computer security, ethics and other mandatory government employee training.
• Participants must meet the Public Land Corp (PLC) requirements.