Visitor Services Member – Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Visitor Services Member to contribute to the visitor services program alongside Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

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

Start Date: May 2024

Estimated End Date: September 2024

*16 week commitment is required – start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility*

Location Details/Description: Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge; Chatham, MA

The refuge provides important resting, nesting and feeding habitat for migratory birds, including the federally protected piping plover, roseate tern, and red knot. At least 25 species of seabird, shorebird, waterfowl, and colonial waterbird nest on three offshore islands. The refuge also supports the largest nesting colony of common terns on the Atlantic seaboard, exceeding 14,000 pairs.

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge’s mission is to protect the habitats critical to migratory birds, spawning horseshoe crabs, and other wildlife while affording the public an opportunity to experience this unique wilderness refuge.

For more information about Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Monomoy/

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to outreach and education regarding shorebirds and support the implementation of a community based social marketing campaign to reduce shorebird disturbance on beaches. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff to:

• spend 80% of time supporting outreach and education.
  • Work with partners to implement a community based social marketing campaign related to leaving dogs at home while visiting the beach
  • Creating outreach materials with simple messages based off Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative (AFSI) documents
  • Incorporate established programs where possible that inform the public on how to reduce shorebird disturbance (buffer distance for shorebirds when walking the beach, leave dogs at home, photographers’ etiquette)
  • Create posts for the website, Facebook page and kiosks)
  • Conduct shorebird disturbance surveys with an established protocol
  • Roving interpretation

• spend 20% of time helping with all other biological work
  • Horseshoe crab tagging
  • Tern productivity data collection
  • Plover and oystercatcher monitoring
  • Invasive species mapping and control
  • Data entry

• This position will require working both at our mainland site and offshore islands. About 70% of the time will be spent working on the mainland site, while 30% of time will be spent living and working on the remote offshore island. See below for information on housing.

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 during the months of May and September and then Thursday through Monday from June 15 – August 15. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, and involve work performed outside of normal work hours on weekends and 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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/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: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. ACE members will spend some of their time living and working on a remote wilderness island. Housing on the island will be split between a field camp with no electricity or running water and a lighthouse keeper’s house with electricity but no running water. Housing while working on the mainland site will be provided in a shared house about 18 miles from the refuge.

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 byU.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 three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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.
• 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 bachelor’s degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position
• Knowledge of shorebird and seabird biology
• Ability and willingness to walk 10 miles per day over sand, carrying gear
• Ability and willingness to interact with the visiting public of all ages in a professional manner.
• Deep interest in wildlife conservation and management
• Comfortable traveling to various island locations via boat.
• Comfortable living and working in field camps with remote conditions.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor work includes office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise is to be expected such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic, or outside such as wildlife and effects from weather.
• 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 and/or ACE, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.