Biology Support Member – Sevilleta NWR

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 member  to contribute to the Bolson Tortoise project and other biological monitoring alongside Sevilleta NWR Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: April 1, 2024
Estimated End Date: April 1, 2025
*a 52 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2,080 hours*

Location Details/Description: Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, La Joya, New Mexico

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System in the lower 48 states.The 230,000-acre refuge includes four different biomes that intersect and support a wide array of biological diversity. The Rio Grande flows through the center of the refuge, and serves as an important source of water that creates an oasis for wildlife in the arid landscape. The refuge is unique in that it was set aside “to preserve and enhance the integrity and the natural character of the ecosystems of the property by creating a wildlife refuge managed as nearly as possible in its natural state.”  The refuge is not managed for specific wildlife species, but instead focuses on letting natural processes such as flood and fire to prevail. To add to the stunning diversity, the largest river in New Mexico, the Rio Grande, bisects the immense landscape of the refuge, a lifeline for migrating birds and corridor for wildlife.  

For more information about Sevilleta NWR, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/sevilleta/about-us

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 primary purpose of this position is to remove the invasive ungulate species from Sevilleta NWR, but it will also include some work on invasive plant control and habitat restoration. The member  in this position will work directly with the Refuge Biologist to inventory the population size and distribution of Cattle, Horses, and Oryx on the refuge and create a plan to remove those animals and prevent their re-invasion. Then they will work with local ranchers (for cattle), the NM Livestock Board (for Horses), and NM Department of Game and Fish (for Oryx) to carry out the removal of the animals. They build, repair, and improve the refuge’s perimeter fences to exclude invasive ungulates but allow native wildlife such as deer, elk, and pronghorn to pass. Likewise, they will help design and build exclosures to keep invasive ungulates out of sensitive springs. They will help make these fences resistant to washout during the Monsoon season. Invasive plant control will be focused on habitat restoration sites for endangered species such as the Rio Grand Silvery Minnow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and SW Willow Flycatcher. Some invasive plant species of concern are Ravenna grass and Salt Cedar.

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

Schedule: Duties will be carried out primarily Monday through Friday, 8:00am – 4:30pm. During summer months it may be preferable to work outside during earlier hours to avoid the heat of the day. 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 and/or holidays.  Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 1700-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $6,895.00 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 1700hrs. 

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1000 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. Specific training may include ORUV, chainsaw, fence construction, herbicide applicator, plant identification, and biological survey training.

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 three-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: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biological sciences or natural resources.
• Knowledge of fence construction, chainsaw use, wildlife management techniques, and invasive ungulates.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in hot and cold weather.
• Deep interest in conservation and natural resource management.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Entails hiking in rugged terrain, stooping, kneeling, crouching, carrying heavy fencing materials, and tool and computer use.
• Vision Requirements: The ability to count animals through binoculars or a scope
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 35 lbs., ability to move up to 75 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 such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position does not require 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 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.