Inventory and Monitoring Volunteer Member- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Inventory and Monitoring Volunteer Member- Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Inventory and Monitoring Volunteer Member to contribute to the USFWS  Inventory and Monitoring Program alongside Minnesota National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 2025
Estimated End Date: September 2025
*a 17-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 680 hours*

Location Details/Description: Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Bloomington, MN

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge works to connect the communities of the Twin Cities metro with wildlife and habitat along the Minnesota RiverWith more than 46 miles of trails and two visitor centers, the refuge welcomes visitors to enjoy the variety of outdoor experiences the Refuge has to offer. Established in 1976 by motivated residents, the Refuge preserved wildlife resources threatened by commercial and industrial development. Now, the Refuge enhances urban habitat while offering community programs, environmental education, and access to nature on the edge of the city as well as hunting, fishing and hiking in the more wild stretches of the Minnesota River.

The Refuge is part of a corridor of land and water stretching nearly 70 miles along the Minnesota River, from Bloomington to Henderson, Minnesota. Comprising more than 14,000 acres, the Refuge has multiple units, offering a variety of free outdoor recreational experiences for individuals and families. Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge also manages a 14 county Wetland Management District.

The Refuge ranges from urban to rural providing a unique opportunity to enjoy wildlife related recreation in the shadows of skyscrapers and grain elevators.  The Refuge provides valuable habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds, fish, and resident wildlife.  It’s a place where coyotes, bald eagles, prothonotary warblers, and trout live next door to more than three million people. Each unit offers a variety of attractions and seasonal activities.  Individual units may have special regulations, as well as private land within their boundaries. For details about the individual units please refer to trail maps which are available at trailheads and education and visitor centers.

For more information about the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge, 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 its mission at Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge by recruiting volunteers to assist station biologists in collecting data for their monitoring programs. The ideal candidate will help us develop a training program for volunteers and test it during the 2025 field season. The member will receive one on one instruction and experience in implementing a station monitoring program and how to train volunteers in field methods for a variety of monitoring protocols. This opportunity allows you to learn what goes into planning and implementing an ecological monitoring program including prioritization, planning and data management. This person will play a primary role in training and supporting volunteers and provide staff with valuable feedback for developing future training materials.

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:

Monitoring (60%)

• Review station Inventory and Monitoring Plans to select surveys appropriate for volunteers.
• Train volunteers in field methods for a variety of monitoring protocols.
• Work directly with volunteers in the field to implement protocol standard operating procedures correctly and consistently.
• Data entry, verification and editing.
• Perform basic data analysis.

Training Material Development (20%)

• Develop and conduct volunteer training workshops.
• Provide feedback on further development of training materials for volunteers to be available for station use in the future.
• Provide feedback on volunteer recruitment and selection.

Volunteer Outreach (20%)

• Participate in volunteer outreach events to help recruit/select volunteers for monitoring program.

Schedule: Duties will typically be carried out between 7am and 5pm Central, Monday – Friday, typically 5 days/week (5/8s). Work hours may vary as some projects may begin very early and/or go late into 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 $850/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 website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear 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. Specific informal training may include job shadowing/participating in meetings and activities with the Inventory and Monitoring Zone Biologist and familiarizing with NWRS monitoring plans and protocols.

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 website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor’s degree (recent graduate within two years of this announcement).
• Knowledge of or strong interest in one or more of the following: habitat and wildlife management, biology, ecology, entomology, or community outreach.
• Plant identification skills.
• Experience with or willingness to work with volunteers.
• Experience with or desire to learn plant and/or wildlife monitoring techniques.
• Ability to communicate well verbally.
• Enthusiasm for working outside, positive attitude, self-starter, and problem solver.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including occasional evenings and weekends.
• Preference for local candidates within 50 miles commuting distance of duty station.

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. 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: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. When indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

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. 

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.