Bullfrog Removal Team Leader- Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Bullfrog Removal Team Leader- Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking ONE Bullfrog Removal Team Leader to contribute to an invasive bullfrog removal project alongside Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Staff. 

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

Start Date:  April/May 2024

End Date: November 1st, 2024

**Commitment until November 1st, 2024 required

Location: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge- Black River Unit, Olympia, WA

The Black River Unit was established in 1996 and is managed as part of Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. It encompasses a large mosaic of wetland and riparian habitats and surrounding uplands along the Black River. The purpose of the Unit is to protect biological diversity, enhance and manage unique wetland and riparian ecosystems for the benefit of anadromous salmonid production and rearing, migratory and resident waterfowl, migratory neotropical birds, wading birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife.

The Black River is a tributary of the Chehalis River, the second largest watershed in Washington. The Unit’s wetland habitats make up one of the largest, relatively undisturbed freshwater wetland systems remaining in all of Puget Sound. The river’s diverse habitats include prairie oak woodlands, sphagnum bogs, wet prairies, alder bottoms and wetland conifer forests. The Unit contains spawning and rearing habitat and migration corridors for native trout and salmon. At least 150 species of migratory birds, including waterfowl and neotropical songbirds, use the wetland and riparian habitats. It is also one of only a few places where the Oregon spotted frog is known to occur in Washington. The Oregon spotted frog is a State listed endangered species and Federally Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

For more information about Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge tendersglobal.net U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

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 position will help FWS realize the mission at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge by working nights in canoe/kayak on the Black River capturing non-native bullfrogs in areas where federally listed Oregon spotted frogs are found.

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.

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

• Roughly 75% of the work will be nighttime bullfrog removal (mainly June 15th- Oct 4th)
• Lead crew of 1 or 2 individuals on bullfrog removal
• Safely operating canoe/kayak on 3km of the Black River to capture bullfrogs (via air rifle, gigging or hand netting)
• Walking wetlands in waders, through tall grasses/cattails searching for and removing bullfrogs and their egg
• Euthanizing bullfrogs (up to 30 per night)
• Taking measurements and performing dietary analysis on bullfrogs
• Monitor survivorship of federally threatened Oregon spotted frog
• Perform habitat enhancement for Oregon spotted frogs
• Monitor trail cameras and acoustic recording devices for Oregon spotted frog predators
• Aid in installing and monitoring water level data loggers
• Assist with other invasive species removal/monitoring (European green crabs, New Zealand mud snail, yellow flag iris)
• Prepare a public presentation about experience.

Schedule: 

The position will initially involve daytime work, spanning 8 hours each day from 8 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, with potential for some evening shifts. Beginning in mid-June, the schedule will transition primarily to overnight shifts, also lasting 8 hours each, typically between 7 pm and 5 am, contingent on sunset times, Monday through Friday. Bi-weekly work hours should not exceed 80 hours, necessitating a flexible schedule. Occasional daytime work may be required during the summer months. We aim to minimize the shift changes between day and night work, with typically the entire week being either daytime or nighttime shifts. Requests for time off should be submitted 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 $700/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Preference will be given to local applicants. The selectee will be responsible for finding local housing. 

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 will include attendance at a Bullfrog Removal Workshop, mid-July (date to be determined, Olympia, WA).  ACE members will also complete the National Safety Council’s Defensive Driving course. 

Scholarship Funding Opportunity:  The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE’s Access and Inclusion Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships 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.
• Hunter Safety Certification or willing to acquire certification within one month of start date.
• 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.

Preferred: 

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and/or have interest in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Knowledge of Washington amphibian species.
• Experience paddling canoe and kayak.
• Experience working nights.
• Experience gigging bullfrogs or hand capturing herptiles.
• Experience with air rifles or other firearms.
• Deep interest in amphibian conservation, threatened and endangered species, and invasive species control.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: This position requires physical exertion such as hiking long distances over hot, wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching, talking and hearing, operating canoes and kayaks, wading through deep water and walking through 6-foot tall vegetation (grasses and cattails). 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.
• 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.
• Environmental: Primarily outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties including while on federal property or in a FWS or ACE vehicle, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, moving water, 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 will primarily be conducted at night.

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.