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ACE: Invasive Species Specialist - Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, AZ - AmeriCorps Eligible

ACE: Invasive Species Specialist - Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, AZ - AmeriCorps Eligible

ACE EPIC placements provide recent young adult graduates with focused, hands-on opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers. 

Summary:  American Conservation Experience, a non-profit youth and young adult conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking One Invasive Species Specialist to assist the USFWS with invasive plant management duties at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in southern Arizona. The position will be stationed at Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge in Ajo, AZ.

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


Start Date: February 13, 2022
End Date:  April 23, 2022
**10-week commitment required**


Location: Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, AZ
Located in southwest Arizona, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1939 as a Game Range “for the conservation and development of natural wildlife resources”. In March of 1975, Cabeza Prieta Game Range was re-established as Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and became part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Encompassing 860,000 acres, CPNWR provides valuable habitat for Sonoran Desert wildlife. In 1990, the passage of the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act designated 803,418 acres (93 percent) of CPNWR as wilderness. It is the ancestral homeland of the Hia C-ed O’odham.

For more information about Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and their resources visit:  https://www.fws.gov/refuge/cabeza_prieta/


Age Requirements:  Funding for many ACE positions is provided by a federal program designed specifically for the employment of youth and young adults and therefore is subject to minimum and maximum age requirements of 18-30 (35 for veterans).  
This position requires ACE or FWS vehicle operation in the performance of the duties and therefore the minimum age to be considered is 21.  

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

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

Housing: The ACE member will be accommodated in provided agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.  

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 300-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,342.86) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment is required.


Position Description:
This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with agency professionals. This could include gaining experience in a variety of conservation fields and/or shadowing different work groups.

Primary Duties include:

•   Invasive Plant Management: Applying herbicide to treat non-native invasive plants including stinknet, buffelgrass and Sahara mustard
•   Invasive Plant Surveying: Surveying areas for invasive species including early detection of stinknet on and around refuge lands
•   Use Collector for ArcGIS to record treatment data and monitoring
•   Operate 4WD government trucks and UTV’s
•   Educate the public on invasive and native plant and animal species; excellent opportunities exist to engage and inform the local community on resource management issues at the Refuge.

Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over uneven and rough surfaces in hot conditions; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements. 

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The heat in southern Arizona can be intense. If you have a history of heat stroke, please consider whether this is a good position for you to apply for due to health risks.  Daytime temperatures are generally between 85 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures occasionally rising over 100 degrees Fahrenheit even in the spring months. Local hazards include rattlesnakes, bees, and rough, uneven terrain. 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety:  The Refuge will provide a government vehicle and the tools required to complete the tasks the member is asked to accomplish.  Training will be provided for all equipment that the member is asked to use.  Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. A valid state driver's license is required for any (highway legal) vehicle use.    

Qualifications: Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, wildlife management, natural resource management, parks and recreation, rangeland management, other related disciplines appropriate to the position.  A COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND APPROPRIATE EXPERIENCE IS ALSO ACCEPTABLE.  Resume and Cover Letter must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience needed, as defined in this announcement.  

Required
  • 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.
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
  • Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks.
  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
  • Ability to hike and work in hot conditions on rough, uneven terrain.
  • Effective oral and written communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences
  • Ability to speak to the public
  • Able and willing to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions, especially hot outdoor conditions
  • Capable of participating in sustained physical labor including ability to frequently push, pull, and lift 40 lbs
  • Ability to operate independently and in remote areas
  • Competent in Microsoft Office

Preferred:
•   Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps
•   Skills and ability to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in the field or office setting
•   Skill in maintaining and safely operating motorized vehicles and specialized equipment including: highway vehicles, backpack sprayers, weed eaters, etc
•   Experience and/or knowledge with GPS equipment
•   Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional
•   Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies

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/.  

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications 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 Associate Division Director, Adam Auerbach at aauerbach@usaconservation.org of 720-812-1619.

Vaccination Requirement: 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.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.