Biological Support Member – Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • Sudbury, MA

13d

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking One or Two Biological Support Member to contribute to the biology program under the mentorship of Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org. Start Date: May 2026 Estimated End Date: December 2026 34 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility Location Details/Description: Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex; Sudbury, MA Situated along the Atlantic Flyway in Massachusetts, the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex comprises eight ecologically diverse refuges. The eight individual refuges include inland and coastal wetlands such as rivers, vernal pools, barrier beaches, and saltmarshes, as well as diverse native uplands, that provide important habitat for migratory birds, mammals, plants, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages these areas to conserve and protect a diversity of native wildlife habitats and species. The refuge complex encompasses several federally threatened and endangered species, numerous state listed species, the only federally designated Wilderness Area in southern New England, and a National Wild and Scenic River. For more information about the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex, and the Refuges within the Complex, please visit the FWS website. Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to wetland and upland habitat and rare species monitoring and management projects. The ACE member will support inventory, monitoring, and management of amphibians and reptiles, migratory birds, and invasive species. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff to : spend 60% of the time focused on inventory, monitoring, and management of amphibians and reptiles and wetland habitats, including: ongoing research and management for Blanding's turtles and northern red-bellied cooters which likely involves hoop trapping, radio telemetry, nest searching and monitoring, and hatchling collection. ongoing vernal pool monitoring, which includes egg mass counts and dip net surveys. wetland habitat restoration, management, and mapping. spend 30% of the time helping with other biological work which may include: coastal nesting waterbird and migrating waterfowl surveys. vegetation surveys, including mapping of invasive species. controlling invasive plant species (especially water chestnut and American lotus). spend 10% of the time interacting with the public, entering data, maintaining facilities, and conducting routine office work. 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. Schedule: Duties will often be carried out between 8 am - 4:30 pm, typically 5 days/week. (5-8s). Bi-weekly totals will usually not exceed 80 hours, but may during the busiest months of May and June. In these instances, extra hours worked can be taken off later in the season. A flexible work schedule is required, and involves work performed outside of normal work hours, including late nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Requirements

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position
• Knowledge of radio telemetry use and application, turtle trapping techniques, bird and vegetation sampling techniques, GPS, and GIS
• Knowledge of, or some exposure to, identification of reptiles, amphibians, songbirds, and non-native invasive plants in the northeastern US
• Ability and willingness to work with the public in a professional manner, work independently and as part of a team, work in challenging field conditions, learn new field techniques
• Ability and willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing field conditions, schedules, and priorities
• Deep interest in applied conservation management, reptiles and amphibians, collaborative work with conservation partners

Responsibilities

• inventory, monitoring, and management of amphibians and reptiles
• wetland habitats, including: ongoing research and management for Blanding's turtles and northern red-bellied cooters which likely involves hoop trapping, radio telemetry, nest searching and monitoring, and hatchling collection
• ongoing vernal pool monitoring, which includes egg mass counts and dip net surveys
• wetland habitat restoration, management, and mapping
• coastal nesting waterbird and migrating waterfowl surveys
• vegetation surveys, including mapping of invasive species
• controlling invasive plant species (especially water chestnut and American lotus)
• interacting with the public
• entering data
• maintaining facilities
• conducting routine office work

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $450/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 at usaconservation dot org.
• Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees