Invasive Plant Strike Team Crew Leader (Traveling) - Midwest/Mingo National Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • Puxico, MO

3d

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Crew Leader to contribute to the traveling invasive plant strike team under the mentorship of FWS Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: Late March 2026 (flexible) Estimated End Date: Late September 2026 (flexible, with a 26-week term commitment) a 26-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1040 hours Location Details/Description: This position is based out of Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (Puxico, MO) but will be traveling with a team across various USFWS locations across the Midwest. Examples of travel locations may include but are not limited to: Clarence Cannon National Wildlife Refuge Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge Illinois River National Wildlife Refuge Complex Big Muddy National Wildlife Refuge Complex Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge Mingo National Wildlife Refuge consists of 21,592 acres of bottomland hardwood forest, cypress-tupelo swamp, marsh and upland forest ecosystems. The refuge is managed for wildlife habitat and people. The primary purpose of the refuge is to provide food and shelter for migratory waterfowl and to protect the bottomland hardwood forest. Mingo National Wildlife Refuge provides a number of great opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. The mixture of bottomland forests, wetlands and swamps creates great waterways for canoeing and kayaking, and has miles of wildlife drives, a variety of hiking trails, and prime locations for hunting and fishing. For more information, 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 Mingo NWR and other wildlife refuges. The Traveling Invasive Plant Strike Team Member will gain a variety of experiences from invasive plant/ and/or animal removal, GIS/GPS plot surveying, forestry practices and procedures to biological surveys, facilities maintenance and/or visitor services. Conducting vegetation surveys/inventories, shadowing biologists, foresters and natural resources managers, landscaping, sign and trail maintenance, community engagement, staffing a visitor center and assisting with educational programs are all examples of the types of experiences and duties the member may perform.

Requirements

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.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).
• 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
• This position requires adaptability, as work plans can change at the last minute. Ideal candidates will be able to multitask and shift priorities to meet changing conditions.
• Ability to work in a team environment and travel frequently.
• Previous field lead experience and/or relevant outdoor leadership experience
• Willingness and flexibility to transition quickly with changing priorities day to day
• Strong communication skills.
• Driven to seek out clarification and answers when necessary and convey plans and priorities to the crew to promote safety, productivity, and efficiency.
• Ability to work as part of a team to meet project goals, as well as independently to complete survey tasks

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in forestry, wildlife management, or other relevant subject areas such as ecology or natural resource management.
• Previous experience or a strong interest in learning about forestry procedures/policies, habitat management, and/or wildlife management.
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
• Ability and willingness to acquire a state pesticide applicator's license which requires a standardized test. (You will be provided time to prepare and study for the exam)
• Ability to work to work independently or a team, and accept guidance from supervisors and other refuge staff
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects, heat, humidity, rain, etc.

Responsibilities

• Guiding and assisting ACE members with invasive plant and native plant species fieldwork management techniques and protocols
• Guiding and assisting ACE members with performing biological projects/surveys as needed and assists in collecting inventory data.
• Willing to remove invasive plant species by hand and by herbicide application
• Conducting forest/plant inventories including GPS and GIS technology and the integrated application of forest management software
• Collecting ecological and timber-related forest metrics to develop timber-harvest prescriptions
• Marking timber, harvest planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Support Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) work, such as treating midstory trees via hack and squirt.
• Compiles maps of forest and woodland areas
• Provides assistance in identifying needed forestry and biological improvement projects
• Uses instruments to take measurements.
• Assisting with performing biological projects/surveys as needed and assists in collecting inventory data.
• Providing forestry information for public materials and participates in informational and/or environmental education programs to individuals, local organizations and schools.
• Assisting refuge staff with general tasks around the duty station/office related to core position functions

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $850/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.
• Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, sturdy pants, socks, outerwear, 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. Specific training may include chainsaw or ATV/UTV use.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees