Aquatic Invasive Species Member

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking TWO Aquatic Invasive Species Members to contribute to an aquatic invasive species project alongside Amistad National Recreation Area staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our usaconservation website.

Estimated Start Date: 9/9/2024

Estimated End Date: 1/10/2025*

a 18-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Amistad National Recreation Area – Del Rio, TX

An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, whose name comes from the Spanish word meaning friendship, is best known for excellent water-based recreation, camping, hiking, rock art viewing, and its rich cultural history. Amistad is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life above and below the water. Amistad National Recreation Area’s natural features are primarily the result of two influences: geology and climate. The local flora and fauna has developed in response to these two factors. Despite Amistad’s desert-like appearance, the park represents an interesting collection of plants and animals found at no other National Park Service site. Amistad National Recreation Area’s flora contains elements from three major plant communities. This is due to our location in a transition zone between a more humid Gulf of Mexico-influenced climate, the drier Chihuahuan Desert, and the hills of the Edwards Plateau.

For more information about Amistad National Recreation Area, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: This project will directly benefit the public through the protection of public water bodies. The main duties will include a wide variety of biological science technician support functions, such as:

• Performing boat inspections to gather data on biological threat of invasive species introductions via watercraft.
• Assisting with decontamination services to high-risk watercrafts.
• Collecting and organizing aquatic invasive field data.
• Installing, operating, and maintaining resource management equipment.
• Providing information to visitors and performing outreach at boat ramps to inform the boating public of aquatic invasive species threat.
• Assisting with implementing scientific monitoring protocols for native species, invasive species and species of conservation concern – this includes, but is not limited to: Monarch Butterflies, Interior Least Terns, and Zebra Mussels.
• Providing advice or assistance to other interns and volunteers.
• Preparing project and season reports.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Schedule: 40 hr/week. After initial training, the schedule will be Wednesday to Sunday, 6:30am to 3:00pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $750/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 eligibility information on our usaconservation website.

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

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $125 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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.

Training: Member activities will be overseen and supervised by NPS staff to ensure compliance with current data protocols and ensure that clear, concise messages are given at boat ramps to the boating public and visitors. Training will be available on the following subjects: boat safety/trailer backing, border safety, defensive driving, and Watercraft Inspection. All training required for government equipment use needs to be completed. Other training such as MOCC (Motorboat Operation Certification Class), CPR, ArcGIS, etc. are subject to instructor availability.

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 criminal history checks
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for the position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, marine biology, botany, wildlife sciences, biology, natural resource management, environmental science, or related disciplines.
• Skills in boat operation (paddling or motor).
• Basic Spoken Spanish.
• Deep interest in conservation, ecology, public lands, and invasive species removal.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 40 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise from boats and watercrafts.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, 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.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.