Outreach & Administration Member – Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Refuge Complex

Outreach & Administration Member – Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Refuge Complex

Summary:
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one member to contribute to administrative duties, outreach and education alongside Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Refuge Complex staff.

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

Start Date: August or September 2024
Estimated End Date: May or June 2025 (44 weeks after start date)

Location Details/Description: Florida Panther NWR, Immokalee, FL., and Ten Thousand Islands NWR, Collier County, FL.

Florida Panther NWR is located within the heart of the Big Cypress Basin, encompassing the northern reach of the Fakahatchee Strand, the largest cypress strand in the Big Cypress swamp. This Refuge protects core habitat for the endangered Florida panther and all native wildlife who roam within the apex predator’s habitats.  

Ten Thousand Islands NWR is part of the largest expanse of mangrove forest in North America. Approximately two thirds of the refuge is mangrove forest, which dominates most tidal fringes and the numerous islands, or keys. The northern third of the refuge consists of brackish marsh and interspersed ponds, small coastal hammocks of oak, cabbage palms, and tropical hardwoods such as gumbo limbo.  Several threatened and endangered species utilize the refuge including the Florida manatee, peregrine falcon, wood stork, as well as green, Atlantic loggerhead, and Kemp’s Ridley sea turtles. 

For more information about Florida Panther NWR, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/florida-panther. For more information about Ten Thousand Islands NWR, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/ten-thousand-islands.

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 Southwest Florida Gulf Coast Refuge Complex.

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

• Administrative duties such as answering phones, organizing mail, and assisting with office organization.
• Outreach duties such as developing social media posts and representing the refuge at local events.
• Leading educational hikes on Refuge trails.
• Assist with the handling, feeding and display of 2 well-behaved snakes at outreach and educational events.

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:  A typical work schedule is M-F, 8:00am-4:30pm, with occasional weekend and nighttime work  Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to FWS and ACE for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $645/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.

Housing:  ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing in a shared bunkhouse setting on the Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement:  ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, pants, outerwear, 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.

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. 
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit the ACE website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Biological Sciences degree or related field of study and/or have relevant experience.
• Experience in administrative work, public outreach, and/or environmental education.
• Have personal transportation means. No public transportation is available due to remote living and working conditions. Work vehicle is provided by USFWS for official government use only.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 20 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 20 pounds.
• 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 the FWS.  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.