Visitor Services Member – Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking two (2) Members to contribute to education, outreach, and conservation projects alongside Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: 4/23/24
Estimated End Date: 10/22/24
*a 26 week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex

The Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of Rocky Flats NWR, Two Ponds NWR, and Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR. 

A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. 

Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a 5,237-acre refuge in Golden, Colorado, and has striking vistas of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and rolling prairie grasslands, woodlands and wetlands. It is home to 239 migratory and resident wildlife species, including prairie falcons, deer, elk, coyotes, songbirds, and the federally threatened Preble’s meadow jumping mouse.

Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is located in Arvada, Colorado and is the smallest urban refuge in the country. At 72 acres, the Refuge’s habitat hosts over 120 species of birds and a variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.  

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is located just northeast of Denver and is a 15,000-acre expanse of prairie, wetland and woodland habitat. The land has a unique story – it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland, to war-time manufacturing site, to wildlife sanctuary. It may be one of the finest conservation success stories in history and a place where wildlife thrives. 

For more information, please visit: 

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky-flats/about-us

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/two-ponds/about-us 

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rocky-mountain-arsenal/about-us

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 CO Front Range NWRC.

Duties will include providing support with:

Community Outreach, Engagement, and Education:

• Developing and presenting outreach programs for community groups, school programs, and community events. Developing and sharing engaging social media posts on Facebook and Instagram to reach diverse audiences and local community members.

Black-footed Ferret Conservation:

• Managing daily husbandry tasks for the Complex’s black-footed ferrets, a federally listed endangered species.
• Developing and facilitating public outreach programs (both in person and virtually) to increase community awareness of black-footed ferret conservation efforts, including the reintroduction story at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Urban Youth Corps:

• Serving as a liaison between USFWS and their urban youth corps partners, working directly with personnel and youth groups to conduct habitat restoration of shortgrass prairie, and collecting native grass and forb seeds (including milkweed on Service lands for monarch butterflies and other native forbs identified as important species by refuge biologists).
• Coordinating logistics, managing records, and helping to achieve regional resource priorities, such as the propagation of pollinators, via ongoing restoration projects throughout the prairie.
• Increasing awareness and appreciation for the natural spaces they are helping to conserve.

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 Wednesday – Sunday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.  Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours.  A flexible work schedule may be required, which will involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays.  Time off will 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 $810/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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

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 for this position includes boots, jackets, and hats, 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. Specific training opportunities for education, outreach, wildlife surveys, and habitat management will be available.

Scholarship Funding Opportunity: The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE’s Access and Inclusion Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship  which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships are available. 

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 our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements.

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 education, natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Knowledge and deep interest in wildlife, biology, ecology, and engaging others in an educational setting.
• Spanish speaking/fluency.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer/keyboard equipment and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, 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 10 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise in an office environment and moderate-to-high noise in the field from gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic 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 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.