Habitat Restoration Support Members - Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Habitat Restoration Support Members  - Quivira National Wildlife Refuge

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Habitat Restoration Support Members to contribute to a variety of projects including invasive species management, habitat management, and visitor services projects alongside Quivira NWR  Staff.

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

Start Date:  August 2024
Estimated End Date: December 2024
*18-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Quivira National Wildlife Refuge- Stafford, KS, and occasionally at the Great Plains Nature Center - Wichita, KS

Quivira National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1955 to provide and protect vital habitat for migratory waterfowl in the Central Flyway.  It's 22,135 acres feature a unique combination of rare inland salt marsh and sand prairie. Many opportunities exist for the visitor to explore this oasis of the Great Plains.

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

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 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.

To support the mission of the FWS at Quivira NWR, the Member will:

Provide support to Refuge’s invasive species management program:

• Assist with surveying and treatment (mechanical and chemical) of invasive species.
• Provide a summary of pesticide application that can be used for the annual pesticide usage report.
• Document each management action area on each station using Field Maps for ArcGIS, and provide data needed for the Refuge Annual Performance Plan (RAPP) report. 

Provide support to Refuge’s other habitat management programs:

• Assist with repair and removal of barbed-wire or electric fence. 
• Assist with managing water movement and monitoring wetlands for proper water levels and depth. 

Provide support to the refuge complex visitor services staff to assist with the Kansas NWR complex visitor services program:

• Repair refuge signs.
• Conduct trail maintenance activities on the refuge.
• Assist with environmental or interpretive programs at Quivira NWR or another station in the Kansas Refuge Complex. 

Provide assistance to the Refuge Manager and the Kansas Invasive Strike Team as needed: 

• Complete Invasive Species Strike Team report that includes summary of management actions, chemical usage and program evaluation. 

Assist station Wildlife Biologist in support of wildlife program as needed:

• Assist in conducting bird surveys which may include waterfowl, shorebird, and/or whooping crane. 
• Assists with bumblebee atlas survey
• Assists with monarch mania and monarch tagging.

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.  Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Members are  expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $400/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $2,626.27 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hrs.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

Qualifying Child Care Coverage:   AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

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.

Gear Reimbursement:  ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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 may include Safety Overview & PPE (required), Project Overview, Defensive Driving (Online), ATV/UTV Certification (Online & Hands on), Chemical Application and Safety (as required), Arc Field Maps Training, Radio Operations, and Water management training.

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 three-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 or as defined by AmeriCorps. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position will hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Natural Resource Management, Biology, Ecology, or a related field of study.
• Knowledge of habitat restoration methods and principles
• ATV/UTV operation
• Sawyer qualifications
• Experience with herbicides
• Experience with GIS and/or mapping
• Experience with Heavy Equipment
• Deep interest in wildlife/ habitat conservation and desire to advance career in the field of natural resource management.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, manual dexterity for use of various tools. May also be required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. 
• 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: Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. 
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: Most work will be conducted in and around Quivira NWR. Travel is expected on occasion to the Great Plains Nature Center. The selected candidates may also be asked to assist with work at the other three refuges in Kansas. Fuel will be provided by the refuges.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: 

The ACE member may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, biting insects, high humidity, 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. Duties are performed primarily outdoors. Temperature and weather extremes can be encountered in the performance of outdoor duties. 

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. Training is required before operating government vehicles.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), 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. 

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 here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Program Manager, Nich Jackosky, at njackosky@usaconservation.org. 

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.