Integrated Pest Management Biology Technician Fellow

Integrated Pest Management Biology Technician Fellow

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with NPS, is seeking one  Member  to contribute and serve with the Bryce Canyon National Park’s Resources Division and assist NPS Resources Staff with providing a safe wildlife/human interface at the park.

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

Estimated Start Date: June 30, 2024 or soon after
Estimated End Date: March 1, 2025
*a 35 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Sitting high on a forested plateau in south-central Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is best known for its concentration of natural rock bridges, windows, and, especially, colorful limestone hoodoos-improbably-balanced rock spires that erode out of towering cliffs and fins. In addition to the hoodoos and other exposed rock outcrops, the park contains large swaths of ponderosa and pinyon-juniper forest, punctuated by sagebrush meadows and laced with typically dry drainages. The area receives about 16” of precipitation a year, half in the form of winter snow and the remainder in dramatic summer monsoon storms. Because the elevation extends from 7,000-9,000 feet, summer temperatures remain comparatively cool, rarely reaching the 90s and dipping into the 40s overnight. Small grocery stores and amenities are available in nearby communities, but the nearest larger resources are in Cedar City, a 1.5-hour drive away. Meanwhile, the park is surrounded by millions of acres of public land and abundant recreation opportunities, including Dixie National Forest, Grand-Staircase Escalante National Monument, and Zion and Capitol Reef National Parks. The park itself contains 35,835 acres, 20,810 of which are Recommended Wilderness, and features about 70 miles worth of maintained trails.

For more information about Bryce Canyon National Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview: The IPM Biology Technician ACE Member will be aiding Bryce Canyon National Park through

• Initiate, collaborate on, and consult with staff and visitors within the park and other agencies regarding the park’s IPM biology program. Assist in the further development of the park’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) biology program. This will be accomplished by assisting in the writing of the park’s IPM biology assessments, compliance documents, Statements of Work, Year End Accomplishments Report, and other field reports as needed.
• Assist NPS staff in safe removal/exclusion of the various bat species within the park from park buildings.
• These include buildings open to the public, employee work areas, and employee housing units.
• Assist NPS staff in safe removal/exclusion of the various wildlife species that seek habitation in many of the parks building, including public access, staff and concessionaire work areas, and staff and concessionaire housing areas. These species include numerous rodent and insect species that can affect the wellbeing and safety of all park staff and visitors.
• Working with the park’s wildlife biology staff this position will assist in the preparation of field surveying and acoustic monitoring initiative for the threatened Utah Prairie Dog, endangered Mexican Spotted Owl, endangered California Condor, bats, and Peregrine Falcon. Through the parks monitoring program this position will become familiar with, wildlife game cameras, cameras for investigating the enclosed areas of buildings, bird and bat sound capture equipment, and visitor and staff wildlife observation information.

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: Work may begin once weather permits reliable access to and from work sites and once conditions are conducive to ground visibility and performing tasks safely. Typically, this occurs from April through October, with a work week of Monday through Friday, 8-hour days. The job will be the same hours and days of work week during November through January when the job will be indoors assisting with report writing.

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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at a cost of approximately $700.00/month for the duration of the term.

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. 

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.
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Wildlife Biology.
• Certified in Utah Prairie Dog monitoring to effectively and legally survey for the Utah Prairie Dog.
• Trained in trapping and handling of small rodents, venomous snakes, and threatened/endangered species.
• Ability and willingness to traverse rough and uneven terrain while surveying and inventorying.
• Deep interest in Wildlife Biology, specifically; raptors, and Utah Prairie Dog.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 30 lbs., ability to move up to 45 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 hand and power tools.
• 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.  

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE’s online application page for this position on the usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Program Manager Western Region, Michael Knapp. 

ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

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.