National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey Field Team Members - Traveling Nationally

EPIC • Denver, CO

22h

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS, the Service), is seeking four (4) National Visitor Survey team members to help implement a multi-year nationwide survey of visitors to national wildlife refuges. This position involves traveling to different national wildlife refuge units approximately every two weeks to recruit visitors for participation in a post-trip survey about their refuge visit. Additionally visitor estimation inventory tasks will be performed to better understand refuge visitation trends, equipment and density. Individuals and teams are both encouraged to apply, as ACE members will travel and work as a pair. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System) is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. More than 560 national wildlife refuges exist across the country, with at least one in every U.S. state and territory, and receive more than 50 million visitors annually. Understanding and characterizing visitors and their experiences on refuges is a critical element of managing Refuge System lands and waters. The National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey effort is led by the Service's Human Dimensions Branch, and provides the Service with information regarding visitors' recreational, educational, and informational experiences, as well as visitors' levels of satisfaction with current services and facilities. This information will help the Service track and understand how some of the complex changes occurring within American society (e.g., demographic changes, preferences) are likely to affect the future of the Refuge System. Results from the survey may be used to help direct FWS resources for the betterment of the visiting public and protection of wildlife resources. 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. These positions will help FWS realize that mission by: Participating in pre-sampling visitor recruitment training in Fort Collins, CO. Continuous travel to national wildlife refuges across the country, spending ~2 weeks at each refuge. Approaching visitors following survey protocols to collect a target number of visitor contact names and addresses per refuge. Participating in check-in calls with the National Visitor Survey Coordinator to report progress and discuss obstacles for completing tasks. Providing appropriate field documentation (e.g., photos, reports, blogs). Remotely assisting the National Visitor Survey Coordinator with project-related tasks. Assisting with other projects specific to the assigned refuges as time permits, for example: Conducting visitor counts Visitor estimation inventory Trails maintenance Assisting with wildlife surveys Water quality monitoring Assisting with fuels management Removing invasive species Habitat Restoration Former National Visitor Survey Field Teams have documented their experiences in a blog. To read their posts, go to the EPIC USFWS page on our website. This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with agency professionals. This could include gaining experience in a variety of conservation fields and/or shadowing FWS staff in different work groups.

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 or as defined by AmeriCorps.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associate's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, social sciences, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate both verbally and in writing in a way that is clear, concise, and grammatically correct.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate work within schedule constraints and handle emergent requirements in a timely manner.
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS.
• Experience identifying and addressing challenges on a project before they become issues.
• Experience interacting with the public or in a customer service setting
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish.
• Strong desire to enter public service as a natural/cultural/social resource professional.

Responsibilities

• Participating in pre-sampling visitor recruitment training in Fort Collins, CO.
• Continuous travel to national wildlife refuges across the country, spending ~2 weeks at each refuge.
• Approaching visitors following survey protocols to collect a target number of visitor contact names and addresses per refuge.
• Participating in check-in calls with the National Visitor Survey Coordinator to report progress and discuss obstacles for completing tasks.
• Providing appropriate field documentation (e.g., photos, reports, blogs).
• Remotely assisting the National Visitor Survey Coordinator with project-related tasks.
• Assisting with other projects specific to the assigned refuges as time permits, for example: Conducting visitor counts Visitor estimation inventory Trails maintenance Assisting with wildlife surveys Water quality monitoring Assisting with fuels management Removing invasive species Habitat Restoration

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The National Visitor Survey team members are expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and receive a $500/week living allowance to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2025/26 grant year program, valued up to $2,817.14 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hrs.
• Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.
• Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.
• 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: Housing, and occasionally camping, will be provided for teams at no cost at refuges and during travel between sites.
• Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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