Conservation Science Communication Fellow – Natural Resource Program Center

Conservation Science Communication Fellow – Natural Resource Program Center 

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is seeking one fellow to contribute to science communication projects alongside Natural Resource Program Center (NRPC) Staff. The Science Communication Fellow will provide support to National Wildlife Refuges on climate change adaptation, pollinator conservation and general communication support for the Natural Resource Program Center. The incumbent will work closely with the Natural Resource Program Center, the Inventory and Monitoring team, the Climate Adaptation Support Team, and other branches in NRPC and in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

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

Start Date: August 2024
Estimated End Date: August 2025
*a 52 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2080 hours*

Location Details/Description: Natural Resource Program Center, Fort Collins, CO 

US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Natural Resource Program Center is an interdisciplinary science team that provides support to the National Wildlife Refuge System with planning and management decisions. By integrating findings from numerous scientific fields, including wildlife biology, air quality and human dimensions, managers can better address complex management challenges. These science programs are administered by the Natural Resource Program Center in Fort Collins, Colorado where many federal agencies share research operations and facilities.

For more information about the Natural Resource Program Center (NRPC), please visit the FWS website. 

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 that mission at the Natural Resource Program Center. 

The Fellow will become familiar with the National Wildlife Refuge System and on-going climate change adaptation and pollinator conservation projects. The Fellow will have the opportunity to work with a variety of staff in the USFWS, NWRS, and other partner agencies and institutions. The Fellow will gain experience in facilitation, collaboration, organization, and science communication. The Fellow will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge of climate science, pollinator ecology, and/or science communication to support conservation on public lands nationwide.

Duties for this position include: 

• Support the communication of science to a broad audience using a variety of media.
• Work closely with communication specialists to organize, coordinate, and support the development of communication plans and associated resources, including developing and maintaining SharePoint websites.
• Work with regional National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) staff to ensure that communication resources being developed meet their needs and keep them abreast of milestones and developments.
• Work closely with the National Park Service ‘Climate Change Response Program’ to learn from their approach to climate adaptation implementation and identify and adapt useful resources that could be extended to the NWR System.
• Consult with United States Geological Survey Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Science Applications, and the Climate Change Community of Practice to identify and adapt available resources to support the translation of climate adaptation science to Refuge field staff.
• Contribute to the development of technical resources to support climate adaptation and conservation on NWRs.
• Develop written and visual products to describe climate adaptation conservation efforts on Refuges, share information about available resources, and promote communication.

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: Duties will primarily be carried out 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 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 $1000/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. 

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes office supplies and equipment, personal clothing or gear needed for travel-related duties, etc., and 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. 

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 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.
• Member 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.
• Ability to keep work organized and manage time effectively
• Strong communication and coordination skills
• Deep interest in translating and communicating climate science for a broader audience.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associates or bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as climate science/adaptation, science communication, pollinator ecology, and coordination.
• Knowledge of Microsoft tools, SharePoint, Canva, R programming language, and data visualization tools.
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, 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, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. 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 5 lbs., ability to move up to 20 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

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.