Red Wolf Field Crew Member – Red Wolf Recovery Program (Eastern North Carolina)

Red Wolf Field Crew Member  – Red Wolf Recovery Program (Eastern North Carolina)

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Red Wolf Field Crew Members to help with a wide array of Red Wolf Recovery Program projects alongside U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service staff. During this term, the ACE members will work on meaningful projects to contribute to the conservation and survival of the Red Wolf.

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

Start Date: October 14, 2024
Estimated End Date: April 11, 2025

Location Details/Description: The office is located in northeastern North Carolina in Manteo, NC.  The bunkhouse is located in Nags Head, NC which is part of the Outer Banks.  The majority of field work will be conducted within the 5 counties (Beaufort, Dare, Hyde, Tyrrell and Washington) that comprise the Eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population (ENC RWP) area.

Red Wolf Recovery Program:

The Red Wolf was first listed in 1967 as “threatened with extinction” under the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966 and is currently listed as an “endangered species” under the Act. It is a distinct canid species native to North America. Historically, it ranged from southeastern United States, westward to the Edwards Plateau in Texas, north to the lower Midwest (i.e., southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois) and east into southern Pennsylvania and extreme southeastern New York.

Though once common throughout its range, Red Wolf populations were decimated by the early 20th Century as a result of intensive predator control programs and habitat degradation and alteration. To prevent extinction of the species, the Service established a formal recovery program in 1973 and began trapping individuals along the coastal region of the Texas-Louisiana border to establish a Red Wolf captive breeding program, with the intention of returning the species to areas within its historic range. The Red Wolf was officially declared extinct in the wild in 1980.

In 1987, reintroduction efforts were initiated at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge to establish the ENC RWP. Between 1987 and 1994, over 60 Red Wolves were released into the ENC RWP; by the mid-1990s, Red Wolves in the wild were maintaining territories, forming packs, and successfully breeding. Between 1995 and 2014, 34 Red Wolves were released, and 39 Red Wolf pups were fostered into the ENC RWP. These management actions led to population growth and a peak population of over 120 Red Wolves in 2012.  After peaking, the population declined dramatically reaching a low of 7 known red wolves in the wild in 2020. Human-caused mortality (e.g., gunshots, vehicle strikes), a past suspension of management activities due to several factors, hybridization with coyotes and low population numbers all played a key role in the decline.  However, in 2021, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a recommitment to recovering red wolves in North Carolina and within their historic range.  Currently, the known (radio-collared) population is 17 red wolves within the Eastern North Carolina Red Wolf Population area, the only wild population of red wolves.

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

• Independently conduct the care and feeding of captive red wolves and temporarily held wild canids in both permanent and temporary acclimation pens.  Care and feeding consists of providing food and water on a set schedule, administering medications in their food, cleaning scats out of the enclosures and observing canids for signs of injury or illness, etc.
• Independently conduct the observation of landscape use and movement patterns of wild canids via tracks, remote sensing cameras, scat, radio telemetry and red wolf sightings.  Create maps of canid locations and review camera footage.
• Assist with the handling and processing of wild and captive canids including taking temperature, pulse and respiration, physical restraint, administering vaccines, taking body measurements, etc. and recording associated data.
• Independently conduct routine maintenance of enclosures such as regularly inspecting enclosures, maintaining solar power, repairing fencing, filling in holes, etc. to maintain them in working order.
• Effectively and quickly communicate with permanent staff when there are issues that need to be addressed with individual canids or facilities that are beyond routine.
• Assist with other aspects of red wolf management, as directed.

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 FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/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 at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing will be shared bunkhouse accommodations.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $1,000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses ($500 at the beginning, $500 at the end). Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots and field clothing and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel 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). Likewise, a government vehicle will be provided for Red Wolf Recovery Program activities only but a personal vehicle is strongly recommended for getting around.
• 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.
• High School Diploma
• Proficient in English
• Knowledge of natural sciences
• Willingness to work varying hours including weekends
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associate’s degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Knowledge of the USFWS mission.
• Experience in radio telemetry.
• GIS & mapping software experience.
• Previous use of remote sensing cameras.
• Familiarity with care and feeding of wild animals.
• Familiarity with basic maintenance of fencing and using non-power tools.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 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. conditions.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. This individual placement will require much time outdoors, in potentially hot, potentially buggy conditions. 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.