Invasive Species Member - Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • Boonville, MO

17h

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is se eking two Members to contribute t o invasive species management p rojects under the mentorship of Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: May/June 2026 (Flexible) Estimated End Date: October/November 2026 (22 weeks after the anticipated start date) a 22-week mi nimum commitment is required Location Details/Description: Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge - Boonville, MO. The lower Missouri River is the largest free-flowing river in the United States, encompassing nearly 1.5 million acres of bottomland habitat for fish, wildlife and plants, while providing commercial transportation and recreation opportunities for communities across our nation's heartland. Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge was established in 1994 for the development, advancement, management, conservation and protection of fish and wildlife resources. Refuge staff focus on restoring those resources in the Missouri River floodplain on the river's final 367 miles to its confluence with the Mississippi River, from St. Louis to Kansas City. Currently, the refuge is composed of 23 separate units, encompassing over 22,000 acres of wildlife habitat. For more information about Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife 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 Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge. Members will primarily assist with mapping, management of invasive plants, and general maintenance duties. Members may travel to nearby refuges. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in other activities on the refuge. 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: Mon-Fri, 7:30am - 4:00pm. Days/hours may vary throughout the position.

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.
• Ability to travel by vehicle to different locations across the refuge/various refuges to conduct invasive species management duties.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.
• A personal vehicle for driving to get groceries, etc.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pu rsuing a 4-year college degree and/or h ave education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject preferred
• Able to walk and stand for long periods
• Able to physically pull or remove invasive plants with hand tools
• Willingness to apply General Use Pesticides with use of appropriate safety equipment, and training in the safe handling of General Use Pesticides
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff
• Ability to work independently
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys and general refuge maintenance duties.

Responsibilities

• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with hand tools.
• Assisting with the application of General Use Pesticides.
• General refuge maintenance duties such as trail maintenance, fence building, boundary posting, etc.
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys and restoration projects.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $765/week to offse t 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 such as boots, socks, and outerwear 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 FWS training may include ATV/UTV training, defensive driver training, chainsaw training, boat operator training, herbicide application, GIS/GPS.

What This Job Offers

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