Biological Support Member – Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Recruitment began on January 27, 2025 and the job listing Expires on March 21, 2025.
Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 member to contribute to biological monitoring projects alongside FWS Staff. Major duties will include supporting the inventory and monitoring efforts of multiple national wildlife refuges in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. This will include, but not limited to: planning and preparation for surveys such as equipment maintenance; drafting standard operating procedure documents; logistics; field data collection, data entry and QA/QC; survey documentation, and data summary and reporting. The member will travel to support refuge staff across a variety of habitat types and exposure to a myriad of species-specific surveys throughout Area 1 and work with both regional and local National Wildlife Refuge biologists and managers. The position goal is to provide crucial on-the-ground and technical support of the full survey lifecycle of inventory and monitoring of refuge priorities on National Wildlife Refuges of the Southeast.
Start Date: March/April 2025
Estimated End Date: March/April 2026
*a 52 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2080 hours*
Location Details/Description: Southeast Louisiana Refuges Complex, Lacombe, LA.
Six Southeast Louisiana Refuges are part of a rich ecological system which includes marshes, pine and bottomland hardwood forests, lakes, barrier islands, swamps and bayous. Ranging from the marshy delta at the mouth of the Mississippi, to the wetlands that help protect New Orleans from hurricanes and provide a nursery to the fisheries that support the region’s food economy, to the wild bayous of the Atchafalaya Basin; the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuges preserve wildlife, habitat, and recreation opportunities representative of this unique part of the country.
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 Southeast Louisiana NWRC.
The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:
* Work with scientific staff within the Inventory and Monitoring program of the Southeast region on a variety of refuge-priority surveys.
* Generate, archive and synthesize raw wildlife and habitat survey data;
o Conduct surveys for avian, terrestrial and aquatic species,
o Identify wildlife and trees/plants to species,
o Collect target measurements (e.g., counts, size, density),
o Data entry, management and build data visualization and summary skills,
o Document survey procedures and outcomes in scientific writing formats.
* Work with data managers and other I&M staff to ensure appropriate data management and archiving.
* Updating refuge-specific parameters into national databases.
* Other duties may include:
o Assist with wildlife and habitat management and research on refuges.
o Interact with a variety of FWS programs and explore career opportunities within the USFWS and National Wildlife Refuge System.
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.
Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday – Friday. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays.
Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
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.
* 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.
* Ability to communicate effectively to determine needs and follow directions.
* Experience working independently in remote areas.
* Time and workload management skills.
* Organizational and information management skills.
Preferred:
* Competitive applicants for this position will hold or be pursuing a degree in natural resources, biology, ecology, entomology, or a related subject.
* Experience in scientific literature reviews and information synthesis.
* Experience with electronic field data collection.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position on the usaconservation website.
ACE values an inclusive workforce – if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!
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