Habitat Restoration Member (2)- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
American Conservation Experience
Emerging Professionals in Conservation
3200 S 700 E
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
Habitat Restoration Member (2)- Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex
ACE EPIC placements provide young adults 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.
Funding for ACE positions is provided by a federal program designed specifically for the employment of youth and young adults.
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking TWO Habitat Restoration Members to help with a diversity of projects at Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex in the central valley of California.
This is a rare opportunity to gain practical experience on national wildlife refuges. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a background in maintenance, natural resource management, or facility operations, and a deep interest in advancing their career goals in conservation and land stewardship. Habitat Restoration members will be under direction of Refuge Managers who will assign duties on various National Wildlife Refuges within the Complex. Habitat Restoration members will operate equipment and manage water levels to maintain managed wetland units and public use opportunities on units of the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Start Date: April/May (Flexibility to accommodate completion of school year)
End Date: (26 weeks from start date)
**26-week commitment required**
Location: Sacramento NWRC, Willows, CA
For more information about the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Sacramento/Aboutthecomplex.html.
Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday-Friday, but may include some weekend work to help manage water deliveries. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. This member may have projects that begin very early and/or go late into the day and may have weekend duties as well. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the refuge.
Living Allowance: The ACE Member will complete 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $750/week paid out biweekly. On site housing is available at no cost to the intern.
Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-competitive Hiring Authority: Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior (DOI) PLC non-competitive hiring authority certificate upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours (16 weeks at 40 hours/week) and utilize their certificate when applying for qualifying federal positions within 2 years of receipt. More information can be provided upon request.
Position Description:
Primary duties will include:
- Assist with conducting and monitoring habitat restoration and management activities.
- Assist with managing water deliveries and wetland water levels to benefit migratory birds and promote desirable wetland vegetation.
- Assist with controlling invasive upland and wetland weeds through spraying, mowing, disking or other mechanical applications.
- Assist with maintaining managed wetlands, levees, water control structures and water delivery canals.
- Operating tractors, backhoes or UTVs with auxiliary equipment and attachments such as mowers, harrows, disks, box scrapers, sprayers, wagons, front-end loaders, and post-hole diggers to implement habitat management and restoration activities. Careful, safe, and exact maneuvering is required. Training will be provided.
- Maintaining tractors and other equipment, including but not limited to, lubrication, oil changes, filter changes, battery checks, safety inspections, and other servicing.
- Tasks involved with biological census work, building and facilities maintenance, and other miscellaneous duties within the Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements. The Habitat Restoration Members will operate tractors and equipment on terrain which is generally flat with a number of obstacles such as trees, water control structures, swales, and signs.
Environmental Conditions/Hazards:: Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors. Temperature and weather extremes can be encountered in the performance of outdoor duties. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/interns or resources. The member will be working outdoors and may be exposed to heat or cold, high humidity, stinging and biting insects, and inclement weather. 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: The Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge will be furnishing all tools, equipment, supplies, materials, and training. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required. If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE and a valid state driver's license is required.
Qualifications:
Required:
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
- A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide documentation upon request
- Experience and training in operating tractors and other construction equipment
- Knowledgeable in water and vegetation management
- Commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and on time.
- Ability to complete tasks independently and work well in a team
- Ability and interest in working in the field with variable weather conditions and ability to lift 40 lbs and walk long distances over uneven, wet surfaces.
- Must be willing to represent ACE and the USFWS in a professional, positive and enthusiastic manner.
Education:
- Competitive applicants for this position must meet the following requirement(s) to be considered:
- A high school diploma or GED (additional education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology, agriculture or a related subject preferred)
- A combination of relevant education and appropriate experience is also acceptable. Resumes must contain enough information to show that the applicant meets the experience as defined in the position announcement.
Preferred:
- Experience operating and maintaining tractors and or other farm equipment
- Experience managing water/vegetation for conservation or agricultural purposes
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, thoughtful cover letter, and contact 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 Division Support Specialist, Nich Jackosky, njackosky@usaconservation.org, (928) 699-6041.
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.