Biological Support and Invasive Species Member, National Key Deer Refuge

EPIC•Big Pine Key, FL

About The Position

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 and invasive species projects under the mentorship of National Key Deer Refuge Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: February 2026/March 2026 (Flexible) Estimated End Date: January 2027 a 43 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1760 hours Location Details/Description: National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key, FL. The National Key Deer Refuge was established in 1957 to protect and preserve the national interest in Key deer and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys. The Refuge is located in the Lower Florida Keys, a hundred mile stretch of islands that extends south and west from south Florida. Habitats in the refuge consist of pine rockland forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh wetlands, and mangrove forests. National Key Deer Refuge is home to more than 20 endangered and threatened plant and animal species. The endangered Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer that are found throughout much of North America. Key deer are unique to the lower Florida Keys, they are found nowhere else in the world. For more information about the National Key Deer Refuge, please visit the FWS website. 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 National Key Deer Refuge. This position requires strenuous physical activity that includes exotic plant eradication, capturing introduced and invasive wildlife, small mammal trapping, planting native plants, and conducting field work independently or as a part of a group to support biological programs. In addition to field work, up to 30% of the position's time may include data entry including use of Excel, ArcGIS, and Field Maps. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

Requirements

Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
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. To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Time and workload management skills, including the ability to assess and implement task priorities given program priorities and time-frames.
Ability to communicate well with visitors and staff both orally and in writing
Time management and problem solving skills
Ability to walk in extreme temperatures for long distances, carry equipment (30 lbs), tolerant of biting insects and aware of nearby poisonous plants
Skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, R, and Access
Schedule flexibility (8 to 12 hours daily) including occasional evening shifts
Organizational and information management skills, particularly in regard to information and data management for accurate and efficient accomplishment of data entry, QA/QC, basic visualizations, summary and reporting.

Nice To Haves

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in natural resources, biology, ecology, entomology, or a related subject and/or have relevant experience in similar subject areas.
Experience in scientific literature reviews and information synthesis.
Experience following written instructions to conduct duties (e.g. sampling Standard Operating Procedures).
Experience with ground telemetry equipment
Experience capturing reptiles, particularly snakes and lizards
Experience monitoring rabbits
Experience measuring water quality, preferred experience with YSI ProDSS multiparameter and HOBO water level and salinity data loggers and related software
Experience accurately documenting, entering and managing data and documents, using programs including Microsoft and ArcGIS.
Research and/or monitoring experience specific to southeastern habitats or species.
Experience with field data collection electronically (e.g., using iPads) and taking appropriate notes/data on paper and with data curation and archiving
Experience in wetland and/or forest plant identification.
Experience in bird identification.
Interest in/affinity for avian and terrestrial wildlife and their habitats
Experience and/or knowledge of the mission of the USFWS, National Wildlife Refuge System and other federal land management agencies

Responsibilities

Plan and coordinate field data collection (e.g. coordinate dates and local support, care for and prepare equipment, arrange and complete travel to sites as necessary)
Generate, archive and synthesize raw wildlife and habitat survey data
Conduct surveys for avian, terrestrial and aquatic species
Monitoring of threatened and endangered reptiles
Assist with key deer response of injuries, entanglements, and roadkills
Hydrological sampling (surface water and wells)
Remote camera monitoring
Native plant restoration planting and monitoring success
Invasive wildlife monitoring and control
Invasive plant species mapping and control
Invasive invertebrate monitoring
Maintenance of field equipment and supplies
Public outreach activities, including participating in special Refuge educational events and volunteer work days
Data entry, management and build data visualization and summary skills
Document survey procedures and outcomes in scientific writing formats
Work with data managers to ensure data quality, management, and archiving
Assist on wildlife and habitat management and research on refuges
Interact with a variety of FWS programs and explore career opportunities within the USFWS and National Wildlife Refuge System.

Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/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 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 eligibility information on our website.
Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $400 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, outerwear, sunglasses, work pants, etc., and 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.

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