Visitor Services Member – St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a non-profit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Member to contribute to Visitor Services alongside FWS Staff at St. Marks NWR.

For more information about ACE and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1093111 

Start Date: September 2024 (flexible)
Estimated End Date: December 2024
*a 17 week minimum commitment is required 

Location: St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge; St. Marks, FL

The St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931 to provide winter habitat for migratory birds, and is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses about 88,000+ acres in Wakulla, Jefferson and Taylor counties, and includes about 43 miles of north Florida’s Gulf coast, the refuge lies in the eastern portion of the sparsely populated Florida panhandle, but is within a short drive of full amenities approximately 20 miles north in Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee.  Congress has designated 17,350 acres of the Refuge a National Wilderness Area.

For more information, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/st-marks

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to meaningful conservation projects such as roving outdoor interpretation, outdoor programming, virtual and in-person environmental education and/or interpretive programming, publication and interpretive sign development, assisting with hunting and fishing programs and volunteer coordination, staffing visitor center front desk, assisting, developing, conducting programs and assisting staff with education programs including Saturday programs, off and onsite programming and public and community events, maintaining and updating educational/informational displays, preparing for programs, scanning documents into files, consistently projecting a positive, professional attitude and approach to the job, the Refuge, co-workers and visitors, and assisting with various duties as needed. 

Working in Visitor Services your duties will include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Serving as public liaison at the front desk of the visitor center, answering phones, selling passes and answering questions.
• Participates in the development, management, and implementation of a high quality and balanced visitor services program by developing and implementing compatible wildlife-dependent recreation activities.
• Gaining experience in curriculum development, program delivery, volunteer and youth mentor supervision, verbal/written communications and interpretation, visitor services, record keeping and data entry.
• Handling and helping to maintain education animal habitats (includes non-venomous snakes).
• Consistent with current COVID and safety–related guidelines, provides interpretation, environmental education, and recreation based programming for target audiences, as determined  by the field station. Programming may also be virtual.
• Coordinates media during visitor service programs, including photography, informational pamphlets, and other informational tools.
• Assists Service staff in developing compatibility determinations for visitor services activities and facilities on refuges.
• Assists Service staff in developing, conducting, and analyzing surveys and visitor use studies; and measuring expectations, quality, and satisfaction regarding the refuge’s visitor services program.
• Supports Service sites  with developing budget enhancement packages, such as: volunteer/friends group grants and  assistance with contributed funds accounts.
• Participates in the development, coordination, and implementation of site or issue specific outreach and communication.
• Identifies potential partnership activities with community organizations and corporations (Scouts, service organizations local governments and businesses).
• Other duties may include but are not limited to: completing cleaning and maintenance/administrative tasks associated with the refuge education building, programs and events, attending routine organizational and departmental meetings and participating in various training opportunities as appropriate.

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 Mon – Friday with 8 hour work days, and may occasionally  include weekends, early morning hours, late afternoon/evening hours, or holidays.  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 $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 here. 

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing will be shared accommodations with other staff, but the member will have their own private bedroom. The housing has basic furnishings, and more information will be provided during the interview process. 

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $295 to be used for eligible relocation expenses . Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process. 

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

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 fast paced/changing environment.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Optimistic “can-do” attitude.
• Willingness to abide by the refuge’s mission, vision and values.
• The successful applicant must be able to live and work well with people of various backgrounds.  Having the ability to separate personal issues from professional time (and the ability to resolve any personal issues quickly with little conflict) is crucial for this position.
• Should be current on Tetanus immunization

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.
• Environmental: Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools anda business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Physical Demands: Requires frequent 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. – 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: Frequently moves up to 25 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. Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Light to moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may or may not 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 USFWS.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the 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.