Realty Fellow – USFWS Pacific Region (Region 1) Regional Office

Realty Fellow – USFWS Pacific Region (Region 1) Regional Office 

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is seeking ONE Realty Fellow to learn about and support the Division’s land acquisition and outgrant processes on specific projects working alongside USFWS Pacific Region staff. 

Start Date: April 7, 2024

End Date: April 5, 2025

**52 week commitment required**

Location:  USFWS Pacific Region, Regional Office, National Wildlife Refuge System, Division of Realty, Portland, Oregon. The Pacific Region spans the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Hawaii, and other Pacific Islands and includes 67 National Wildlife Refuges, 1 national monument, and 4 marine national monuments that comprise over 777 million acres of lands and waters. The Regional Office is currently located in Portland, Oregon and soon to be expanded to include offices in Vancouver, Washington.

The Pacific Region is committed to collaborating with our numerous partners, including Tribes and state, local and federal agencies, Native Hawaiians, and Indigenous Pacific Island communities. We work with our partners to protect thousands of species of birds, fish, animals, and the places they live.

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. The Division of Realty supports the growth of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) in the Pacific Region by acquiring land (and interests in land) through purchases, donations, exchanges, and transfers from private landowners, non-profit organizations, and government agencies. The Division further serves as the technical expert on issues regarding post-acquisition real property management and administration, such as boundary disputes and the granting of rights-of-way. This position will help FWS realize the mission by learning about and supporting the Division’s land acquisition and outgrant processes on specific projects. The position may require day or overnight travel to National Wildlife Refuges and their surrounding communities or for training opportunities in other Regions or at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

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:

• Observe and support Realty staff during negotiations to acquire real property interests for the USFWS; this may include accompanying Realty Specialists on site visits with landowners, collecting and examining documents, and assisting with due diligence
• Proofread purchase agreements, deeds, easements, leases, rights-of-way permits, and other realty documents 
• Assist Realty Specialists with closings and post-acquisition tasks
• Assist Realty staff with general research topics and specific issues related to our current land holdings, including data requests from FWS headquarters in Washington, D.C. and Freedom of Information Act requests from private citizens

Schedule: Duties will typically be carried out between 8am and 5pm 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. This position is not eligible for Remote Work, but may be considered for part-time Telework status, which requires some “on site” duty at the Regional Office and FWS approval. The fellow is eligible for paid time off, up to 104 hours for the entire 52-week term of service, and 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 $1010/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 $200 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).
• 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.
• 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 high school diploma or GED
• An interest or relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject
• Strong writing, communication and organizational skills
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
• Commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and on time
• Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting
• Coursework, experience, or familiarity with real property transactions, real estate principles, rules, regulations and practices, environmental law, and Federal procedures, laws, and policies
• Ability to read and understand legal documentation associated with real property such as deeds and title commitments 
• Interest in learning and working with current processes as well as developing new methods of data collection and documenting real property acquisition projects and evaluating different processes and protocols in an effort to produce more efficient and effective solutions
• Experience or knowledge of the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies
• Strong desire to enter the public service field 

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: This position requires physical exertion such as hiking short distances over hot, wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 10 lbs; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. 
• Manual dexterity 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 10 lbs., ability to move up to 10 lbs.
• Environmental: Primarily indoor conditions. When outdoors, work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position most likely requires domestic travel by automobile and commercial airlines with the less-likely possibility of riding in a  boat or ATV.

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.