Biology Support Member - Sevilleta NWR

EPIC • La Joya, NM

9d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one (1) member to contribute to the invasive ungulate project and other biological monitoring under the mentorship of Sevilleta NWR Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: March 16, 2026 Estimated End Date: September 26th, 2026 a 28 week minimum commitment is required Location Details/Description: Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge, La Joya, New Mexico Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System in the lower 48 states. The 230,000-acre refuge includes four different biomes that intersect and support a wide array of biological diversity. The Rio Grande flows through the center of the refuge, and serves as an important source of water that creates an oasis for wildlife in the arid landscape. The refuge is unique in that it was set aside "to preserve and enhance the integrity and the natural character of the ecosystems of the property by creating a wildlife refuge managed as nearly as possible in its natural state."  The refuge is not managed for specific wildlife species, but instead focuses on letting natural processes such as flood and fire to prevail. For more information about Sevilleta NWR, please visit the USFWS website Position Overview: The primary purpose of this position is to remove the invasive ungulate species from Sevilleta NWR, but it will also include some work on invasive plant control, habitat restoration, and support for the refuge's biological program in general. The member in this position will work directly with the Refuge Biologist to inventory the population size and distribution of Cattle, Horses, and Oryx on the refuge and create a plan to remove those animals and prevent their re-invasion. They will lead the NEPA compliance process, and then work with local ranchers (for cattle), the Bureau of Land Management (for Horses), and NM Department of Game and Fish (for Oryx) to carry out the removal of the animals. They will build, repair, and improve the refuge's perimeter fences to exclude invasive ungulates but allow native wildlife such as deer, elk, and pronghorn to pass. Likewise, they will help design and build exclosures to keep invasive ungulates out of sensitive springs. They will help make these fences resistant to washout during the Monsoon season. Invasive plant control will be focused on habitat restoration sites for endangered species such as the Rio Grand Silvery Minnow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and SW Willow Flycatcher. Some invasive plant species of concern are Ravenna grass and Salt Cedar. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. Schedule: Duties will be carried out primarily Monday through Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm. During summer months it may be preferable to work outside during earlier hours to avoid the heat of the day. 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. Position Benefits Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) 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. 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. Specific training may include ORUV, fence construction, herbicide applicator, plant identification, and biological survey training. Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biological sciences or natural resources.
• Knowledge of fence construction, the NEPA process,wildlife management techniques, and invasive ungulates.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors in hot and cold weather.
• Deep interest in conservation and natural resource management.

Responsibilities

• inventory the population size and distribution of Cattle, Horses, and Oryx on the refuge and create a plan to remove those animals and prevent their re-invasion
• lead the NEPA compliance process
• work with local ranchers (for cattle), the Bureau of Land Management (for Horses), and NM Department of Game and Fish (for Oryx) to carry out the removal of the animals
• build, repair, and improve the refuge's perimeter fences to exclude invasive ungulates but allow native wildlife such as deer, elk, and pronghorn to pass
• help design and build exclosures to keep invasive ungulates out of sensitive springs
• help make these fences resistant to washout during the Monsoon season
• invasive plant control will be focused on habitat restoration sites for endangered species such as the Rio Grand Silvery Minnow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and SW Willow Flycatcher

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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.
• Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS 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. Specific training may include ORUV, fence construction, herbicide applicator, plant identification, and biological survey training.
• Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level