Visitor Services Member – Santee National Wildlife Refuge

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a non-profit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife is seeking 1 Visitor Services Member to contribute to visitor services duties alongside the Santee National Wildlife Refuge staff.

For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit our usaconservation website: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1124872. 

Start Date: 10/7/2024
Estimated End Date: 1/31/2025
*a 17-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 680 hours*

Location Details/Description: Santee National Wildlife Refuge – Summerton, SC

Santee National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established in 1941 and consists of 13,000 acres.  The refuge is superimposed on the lands and waters of the 110,600-acre Lake Marion reservoir in Clarendon County. The South Carolina Public Service Authority, a.k.a. Santee Cooper, created Lake Marion as a hydroelectric project on the Santee River.  Santee NWR provides habitat for migratory waterfowl, neotropical songbirds and other birds, and a variety of terrestrial and aquatic wildlife.  Refuge habitats include mixed hardwoods, mixed pine hardwoods, pine plantations, freshwater marsh, croplands, old fields, ponds, impoundments, and open water.

A myriad of wildlife inhabit the diverse landscape of Santee NWR.  During November through February, migrating waterfowl such as ring-necked duck, pintail, teal, and wood ducks, along with geese and swans, are a major attraction. Throughout the year, bald eagles, red-shouldered hawks, woodpeckers, owls, wild turkey and wading birds use the refuge.  The forests are home to white-tail deer, squirrels, bobcat and other woodland creatures. Alligators, turtles, fish, frogs,  insects and other wildlife are found in ponds and marshes.  

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to conservation and educational projects such as roving outdoor interpretation, school field trips,  environmental education and interpretive programs.   The member will also staff the refuge visitor center, conducting off and onsite programming and public and community events.  The ACE member must display a positive, professional attitude and have a teamwork approach on the job, while working with refuge staff, volunteers and visitors.  The member will have the opportunity to learn about refuge management, biology, maintenance and facilities. 

Visitor Services duties will include, but are not limited to: 

• Serving as refuge face to the public; staffing the visitor center front desk, greeting visitors, providing refuge information and brochures, answering phones and questions.
• Developing and implementing a high-quality visitor services program that promotes compatible wildlife-dependent recreation activities.
• Provides visitor information and group tours for refuge visitors of all ages.
• Work with volunteers and coordinate volunteer events.
• Write visitor services project highlights and summaries.
• Assists with other refuge tasks such as deer hunts, habitat monitoring, trail maintenance, and wildlife surveys.
• Other duties may include but are not limited to: cleaning, maintenance and administrative tasks, attending organizational and partner meetings, assisting with community engagement, and participating in training opportunities as needed.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development, promote exposure to land management agencies and foster professional networking. This could include gaining experience in various conservation fields and shadowing refuge staff and programs.

Schedule: A typical work schedule is M-F, 8-4:30; however, early morning, evening, weekend, and holiday hours may be required based on refuge needs. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. 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 $500/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 eligibility information on our usaconservation website.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or the FWS. The position is ideal for a member in the local commuting area within one hour or less of the refuge. 

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes approved outerwear/gear 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. Defensive driver training is required by the refuge and will be provided, along with additional training as needed and as opportunities arise.

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 criminal history checks
• ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
• 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.
• Self-motivated and self-sufficient.
• Able to take and follow directions and complete appointed tasks in a timely manner.
• Be punctual and have regular attendance.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and/or have interest in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Knowledge of interpretive, educational, and recreational programs.
• Customer Service experience/skills.
• Ability and willingness to develop and conduct interpretive and educational programs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a group.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software and other computer programs
• Ability to work in a moderate-paced/changing environment.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: this position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces; 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: Ability to move up to 25 lbs.
• Environmental: This position will involve both office and outdoor/field work and may include exposure to inclement weather. Summer working conditions will include high heat and humidity while the winters can involve cold conditions with high winds. Work environment conditions can change frequently.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools and a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require local/domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife (venomous snakes, alligators, black bears). The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner with strict adherence to USFWS procedures 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 USFWS. Any tools required to accomplish work duties will be provided by the USFWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the USFWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to USFWS  and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.