Ecological Services Intern

Title: Ecological Services Intern (2 openings)

Start/End Dates: September 3, 2024 – August 8, 2025 (anticipated dates)

Stipend: $600 per week living stipend + Education Award.

Term: 49 weeks, Full-Time (40 hours per week)

Reports To: Jessica Gwinn & Brittnee Shows (USFWS staff)

Location: USFWS Arizona Ecological Services Field Office (9828 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85051)

Status: 1700-hour AmeriCorps Service Term

Benefits: AmeriCorps Education Award $6,895; Public Lands Corps Certificate*; both with successful completion of the internship. The Corps Network health insurance provided by Cigna; AmeriCorps childcare assistance.

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, interns must be between the ages of 18-30, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

Summary:

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC):

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930’s. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson. 

United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) & the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office:

The USFWS Arizona Ecological Services Field Office works with many private, Tribal, City, County, State, Federal and other organizations to protect endangered and threatened species, migratory birds, freshwater fish and wildlife habitat in Arizona, and to preserve and protect living resources of Arizona ecosystems. The Arizona Ecological Services Field Office has offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Tucson, and has staff who focus on environmental contaminants and work specifically with Tribal and private partners to benefit wildlife on non-federal lands. There are more than 60 threatened and endangered plants and animals throughout the state.

Position Summary:

The interns selected for this position will participate in a variety of field and office activities with internal USFWS partners and external Federal Agency partners. Field work will include surveying and result in trip reports and data collection. Office work will involve database management and result in updated Status of the Species Reports to be used during legal documentation of Section 7 and Section 10 consultation of the Endangered Species Act. Work will focus on drought and climate change aquatic issues throughout Arizona.

Endangered Species regulation is a driving force for conservation of listed and sensitive species. The consummate reports will be included and will be a part of NEPA decision documents and regulatory documents. These documents will result in agreements that focus on minimizing and mitigating for effects to species in relation to Federal and non-Federal agencies along the Colorado River.

Interns will be exposed to several types of work in the biological conservation career path. They will participate in heavy job shadowing and mentoring of multiple staff in multiple agencies. This provides an invaluable networking opportunity for early career professionals to make contacts throughout the Southwestern U.S. and Mexico (no travel to Mexico will be necessary).

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Gather fish survey data with watershed specialist; work with supervisor to prepare for fish survey trips.
• Conduct fish surveys using sein netting, minnow and light trapping, and electrofishing methods.
• Collect data and manage databases under direction of supervisor.
• Work with supervisor and partners to review current USFWS documentation for species.
• Review Gap analysis information provided by the Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program.
• Use agency templates to consolidate information in reports.
• Work with supervisor to prepare for bird survey trips, conduct marsh bird surveys with specialist.
• Participate in bird surveys which may include breeding bird call back and visual encounters.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, hydrology, conservation sciences, or similar field of study.
• Willing and able to represent the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Arizona Conservation Corps in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and possess a valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
• Ability to hike and navigate in rough, wet, and slippery terrain.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements:

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable.
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
• Appropriately represent AmeriCorps, Arizona Conservation Corps, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at all times.

Safety and Judgment: 

• Potential environmental/human risk involved includes walking on uneven terrain, hiking and camping off-trail and/or on unmarked paths, and slippery and/or wet conditions.

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Effectively perceive, understand, and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• Respond appropriately to stress or crisis.
• If taking prescriptions medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Environmental Ethics:

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques.

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

Background Check:

A DOI background clearance may be required prior to reporting for duty and a PIV card obtained after the candidate reports to duty. The USFWS will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after an intern has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the internship. This process will determine the internship’s exact start date.

Interns will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Interns must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

For more information on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, please visit their website at https://www.fws.gov/. Information on the Arizona Ecological Services Field Office can be found at https://www.fws.gov/office/arizona-ecological-services.

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit https://azcorps.org/. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.