Invasive Species Strike Team Biology Member- San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex

American Conservation Experience - Staff•Los Banos, CA

55d•Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking three (3) Invasive Species Strike Team Biology Members) to contribute to nutria trapping and invasive species removal projects under the mentorship of San Luis NWR Complex Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: January 12th, 2026 Estimated End Date: October 30th, 2026 a 42-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1680 hours Location Details/Description: San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Los Banos, CA with occasional travel to other refuges for short periods of time to conduct invasive species treatment or monitoring for a variety of plant and animal species. San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. Located in California's San Joaquin Valley, the refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. A thriving population of tule elk is showcased by one of three auto tour routes. For more information about San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 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 San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex and other refuges in the Pacific Southwest Region (California, Nevada, and the Klamath Basin in Oregon). Members will be part of a seasonal invasive species strike team which surveys for and controls priority invasive species for the region, primarily nutria (Myocastor coypus) on and adjacent to the Refuge Complex. Invasive species pose a significant threat to fish and wildlife resources on refuge lands and nutria also pose a threat to infrastructure and agricultural assets of California. Nutria eradication efforts will be carried out under the direction of an invasive species strike team lead, and in coordination with state, local, and private partners. Government vehicles will be provided to travel to and from field sites, but it will often be necessary to traverse wetlands and other water bodies in hot, sunny conditions while wearing waders. Strike team biologists may often conduct field work independently and in inclement weather. They will transport and use kayaks or other non-motorized boats on slow moving waterways. The strike team will provide capacity needed to adequately detect and remove nutria in the area during the times of year when they are most abundant as well as collect and process data to contribute to reports. They will also provide the region with a flexible and nimble team that is able to respond to other priority invasive species needs throughout the region. The primary responsibilities of this role will be conducting nutria eradication activities on the Refuge Complex (~70%), but biologists may also conduct invasive plant treatment using physical, mechanical, and chemical methods and perform other invasive species monitoring and removal as needed on the Refuge Complex and at other NWRs in the Pacific Southwest Region, or Region 8. The team may make several trips to other refuges where they will stay in bunk houses or other housing and conduct tours of 5-14 days to work on priority projects. They would receive training on the different invasive plant treatment methods, data collection, nutria trapping and humane dispatch, and there will be opportunities for other training, such as chainsaw, off-road utility vehicle, agricultural tractor, heavy equipment, and boat operation. Each member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks: Setting and checking camera traps and live traps for nutria on the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, as well as taking relevant data and conducting basic maintenance on traps. Processing camera trapping data. Humanely euthanizing nutria utilizing a pellet gun and conducting necropsies. Monitoring habitat conditions for nutria following a standard protocol. Physical, mechanical, and chemical treatment of priority invasive plant species and collecting data on treatment success. Monitoring for and removing other invasive species as needed such as golden mussels, bullfrogs, non-native fish, and feral pigs. Operating 4wd vehicles and off road utility vehicles on unimproved roads, pulling trailers, operating kayaks and motorboats (pending required training), and working in extreme field conditions not limited to, but including hot weather in a variety of habitats. Taking data in the field utilizing GIS applications (e.g., Field Maps), uploading or entering data into appropriate databases, cleaning and organizing data, and conducting simple analyses utilizing Excel and AGOL. Assist with other biological surveys and refuge management activities as needed. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday (generally from 6:00 am to 2:30 pm). 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 over 8-hour work days and working on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to FWS and ACE for approval.

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. Will need to complete FWS defensive driving before operating a FWS vehicle.
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
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Nice To Haves

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in Wildlife Biology, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Studies, or related field of study and/or have relevant experience.
Knowledge of and experience with firearm (or pellet gun) safety and use.
Ability and willingness to dispatch invasive species, specifically nutria.
Experience with furbearer trapping, especially nutria, beaver, or muskrat.
Experience with the chemical and mechanical of invasive plants or weeds.
Familiarity with the plants and animals of California.
Deep interest in USFWS and/or invasive species management.

Responsibilities

Setting and checking camera traps and live traps for nutria on the San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, as well as taking relevant data and conducting basic maintenance on traps.
Processing camera trapping data.
Humanely euthanizing nutria utilizing a pellet gun and conducting necropsies.
Monitoring habitat conditions for nutria following a standard protocol.
Physical, mechanical, and chemical treatment of priority invasive plant species and collecting data on treatment success.
Monitoring for and removing other invasive species as needed such as golden mussels, bullfrogs, non-native fish, and feral pigs.
Operating 4wd vehicles and off road utility vehicles on unimproved roads, pulling trailers, operating kayaks and motorboats (pending required training), and working in extreme field conditions not limited to, but including hot weather in a variety of habitats.
Taking data in the field utilizing GIS applications (e.g., Field Maps), uploading or entering data into appropriate databases, cleaning and organizing data, and conducting simple analyses utilizing Excel and AGOL.
Assist with other biological surveys and refuge management activities as needed.

Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1000/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 of service.
Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, pants, outerwear, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. FWS will provide all necessary personal protective equipment and other safety gear.
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 pellet gun instruction, invasive plant treatment methods, data collection, nutria trapping and humane dispatch, chainsaw, motorboat operation, and other FWS-sponsored training that may come up during the term.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume