Biology Support Member – Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • St Charles, AR

17h • $560 - $560 • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one Biology Support Member to contribute to the day-to-day biological and public use operations at Dale Bumpers White River National Wildlife Refuge under the mentorship of refuge staff. This position will support the FWS mission of conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats. The ACE member will provide support and assistance in biological projects, grounds maintenance, public use permit management, and general operations of the Visitor Center.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
• 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.
• 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.
• Must complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations, and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• May not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.

Nice To Haves

• Current student or recent graduate pursuing a degree in the natural resources field.
• Previous experience working with visitors, hunters, fishermen, and the public in a paid or volunteer position.
• Ability to perform work safely under extreme environmental and weather conditions (i.e., heat, mosquitos, snakes).
• Ability to work in remote areas with little supervision.
• Knowledge of or interest in the flora, fauna, and history of Southeastern Arkansas.
• Access to reliable transportation is necessary due to the remote nature of Dale Bumpers White River NWR.
• Ability and willingness to contribute to a team setting and able to help out where needed.
• Knowledge of operating all-terrain vehicles and tractors desired.

Responsibilities

• Conducts wildlife and/or waterfowl censuses.
• Assists in banding of waterfowl and other wildlife species.
• Performs feral hog trapping and beaver dam removal.
• Assists with forest inventory surveys in bottomland hardwood forests.
• Assists with maintenance and construction work such as road repair, fencing, posting, painting, minor repair of equipment and facilities, and evacuation projects related to dikes, ditches, and water impoundment.
• Loads and unloads materials and equipment, cleans grounds, collects and disposes of refuse, and performs a variety of light maintenance and housekeeping tasks involving the use of hand and power tools and equipment.
• May be required to operate passenger vehicles, light trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and tractors.
• Assists with general operation and maintenance tasks at the Visitor Center, including organizational, cleaning, and grounds maintenance tasks.
• Assists with public use permit management and assisting the public with public use permits.
• Assists with biological research requests.
• Assists field staff with other activities as needed, such as refuge events.
• Contributes to professional development and exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals, potentially gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups.

Benefits

• Living allowance of $560/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• Potential eligibility for Public Land Corps (PLC) Hiring Authority upon completion of term of service and 640 hours of service.
• Provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
• Gear reimbursement up to $100 for eligible gear purchases (boots and field clothing, subject to approval).
• Provided position-specific training and orientation.
• Specific training may include USFWS ATV/UTV certification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees