Post-Fire Ecological Restoration & Avian Monitoring

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Cabo Rojo, PR

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Semester of Service Program offers students an unpaid, project-based volunteer opportunity to support Federal missions while gaining hands-on experience and career-ready skills. This 90-day Spring 2027 assignment is based at Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, and supports recovery monitoring and field logistics following the 143-acre Bike Trail Wildfire of July 9, 2026. The wildfire caused 97% canopy loss in affected areas, exposed soil, and severely degraded habitat used by wintering migratory waterfowl and resident waterbirds.

Working in coordination with Wildland Fire Services, the refuge will carry out recovery activities prescribed in approved Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Burned Area Rehabilitation (BAR) plans. The project supports DOI and USFWS priorities to restore fire-impacted habitats, protect migratory bird species, and use science-driven adaptive management on National Wildlife Refuge System lands.

The position is in person at the refuge. The announcement lists a minimum schedule of 16 hours per week, while program conditions require a commitment of 8–20 hours per week for at least 90 days. The opportunity is unpaid; volunteers receive no compensation, stipend, or hiring preference and are not Federal employees. Students must meet enrollment and academic-standing requirements, provide transcripts, and complete onboarding documentation. The term is Spring 2027, between mid-January and mid-June.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national studying in the United States or abroad.
• Remain enrolled at least half-time in an accredited educational institution beyond high school throughout the 90-day opportunity; qualifying institutions must be located in the United States.
• Be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution.
• Commit to volunteering 8–20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days; the schedule lists a minimum of 16 hours per week.
• Complete required onboarding documentation assigned by the Department of the Interior and the academic institution.
• Agree to volunteer without compensation; volunteers are not Federal employees.
• Not be a current Federal employee.
• Submit a copy of transcripts for enrollment verification.
• Be pursuing an associate degree or be an undergraduate or graduate student in a science field.

Responsibilities

• Support ecological recovery monitoring and field logistics prescribed in the refuge’s approved BAER and BAR plans.
• Contribute to efforts to restore wildfire-impacted habitat and protect migratory and resident waterbirds.
• Support science-driven adaptive management activities at Laguna Cartagena National Wildlife Refuge.

Benefits

• Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision, and Federal mentorship.
• Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
• Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
• Federal Tort Claims Act coverage and workers’ compensation for service-related injuries.
• Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed