Refuge Support Member – Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 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 Refuge Support Member to contribute to biological surveys and visitor services support alongside Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Staff. During this term, the ACE member will join our team, working on meaningful conservation projects such as diverse management activities on various wildlife habitats, marsh, forested wetlands, and upland habitats for the improvement and/or maintenance of these habitats for the benefit of a wide variety of plant and animal species in addition to roving outdoor interpretation, outdoor programming, virtual education and/or interpretive programming, and staffing a Visitor Center. 

For more information about ACE, please visit ACE’s USA Conservation website.

Start Date: July/August 2024
Estimated End Date: July/August 2025
*a 50-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2000 hours*

Location Details/Description: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, Florida.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 145,000 acres of Everglades ecosystems including a mosaic of wet prairies, sawgrass ridges, sloughs, tree islands, cattail communities, and a 400-acre cypress swamp. These lands provide habitat — food, water, shelter, and space — for more than 250 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of butterflies, and 20 types of mammals. 

The refuge also provides habitat and protection for endangered and threatened wildlife such as the American alligator, snail kite, and wood stork. Migratory birds such as Neotropical songbirds, secretive marsh birds, shorebirds, raptors, and waterfowl winter at the refuge, along with a great variety of year-round resident wading birds and other wildlife.

For more information about Loxahatchee NWR, please visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service 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 that mission at Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. 

Working in Visitor Services and Biological Support, your duties will consist of supporting visitor services related tasks for about 50% of the time and supporting biological projects the other 50% of the time.  Duties may also include the following:

• Helping volunteers run the front desk and working with them at the visitor center.
• Assisting staff and volunteers with facility maintenance/repair, litter removal, invasive species removal, routine trail maintenance, and may lead guided walks or hikes.
• Assists with day-to-day operations at a visitor center including welcoming visitors and providing information, rules, and regulations through refuge brochures and maps to provide visitors with a safe, welcoming, and positive experience.
• Participating in the development, coordination, and implementation of site or issue specific outreach and communication, among other creative projects..
• Assisting refuge staff in the management and monitoring of endangered / threatened species and / or species with sensitive management implications on Service lands.
• Conducting wildlife and/or vegetation surveys in accordance with station objectives.
• Upkeep of the biological program equipment, supplies, and field areas.
• Operating refuge equipment including all-terrain vehicles and trucks.
• Assisting with the preparation of plans and reports on endangered species, migratory species and other wildlife population surveys.

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 Tuesday – Saturday  8:00am-4:30pm. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours.  A flexible work schedule will be required, as work will take place on weekends and may occur on 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 $600/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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing is available at the Refuge in the form of a tiny home. The home is air conditioned with a kitchenette, bathroom, and a bunk bed.When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required. 

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, sturdy pants, socks, 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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID’s upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal background 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. 
• A valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology, environmental education, interpretation, or a related subject
• Knowledge of South Florida and the Everglades,  interpretive, educational, and recreational program, Spanish Language. 
• Ability and willingness to develop and conduct interpretive and educational programs.
• Deep interest in working with kids, students, adults of all ages in interpretive and recreational programming.
• Experience in biological fieldwork, equipment maintenance
• Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems, develop spreadsheets, and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports
• Ability to communicate in writing in order to assist in the preparation of wildlife management survey summaries
• Knowledge of the USFWS mission

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 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.
• 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 10 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member 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 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.