Refuge Support Member, Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex

EPIC • Smyrna, DE

3d

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking One Refuge Support Member to contribute to refuge management under the mentorship of Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit usaconservation dot org. Start Date: April 2026 Estimated End Date: April 2027 52 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility Location Details/Description: Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - B ombay Hook was established in 1937 as a link in the chain of refuges extending from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It is primarily a refuge and breeding ground for migrating birds and other wildlife. The value and importance of Bombay Hook for migratory bird protection and conservation has increased through the years, primarily due to the management of the refuge and the loss of high quality habitat along the Atlantic Flyway. Bombay Hook is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Portions are also designated a research natural area . The refuge, a nationally recognized birding spot attracting birders from across the country, is designated a Globally Important Bird Area. The Refuge, as well as the entire State of Delaware, is part of the New England/Mid Atlantic Coast Bird Conservation Region Implementation Plan (BCR 30). Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge -The refuge was established in 1963 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act for use as an inviolate sanctuary, or any other management purpose, for migratory birds. Situated along the marshes of the western Delaware Bay, Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 10,000 acres of valuable habitat for wildlife of all kinds. Roughly 80% of the refuge is a mix of fresh and saltwater wetlands stretching from Slaughter Beach in the north to the Broadkill River in the south. For more information about the Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Complex , please visit the FWS websites. Bombay Hook NWR is located at: 2591 Whitehall Neck Road Smyrna,DE19977 Prime Hook NWR is located at: 12322 Turkle Pond Rd Milton, DE 19968 Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will assist with refuge management activities by supporting the maintenance, visitor services and biology programs. The primary tasks associated with this member will be visitor services related. The member will engage with refuge staff to support refuge station priorities including community outreach, volunteer coordination, invasive species management, improve visitor experiences through vegetation management around headquarters, trails and observation decks/platforms. The member will work with refuge staff and friends groups to offer and promote environmental education programs, events, and outreach materials to the general public. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of : Completing assigned tasks related to information and data collection, acquisition, entry, organization and management Support the nesting shorebird program by performing monitoring, habitat data collection, predator monitoring, and maintaining equipment. Maintaining areas around the visitor centers/contact stations, trails, observation platforms/decks using hand tools, mowers and weedwhackers. Promote and maintain pollinator habitat by maintaining established pollinator gardens & work with volunteers to plant and maintain native plant gardens. Conducting invasive species management and monitoring including physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws). Conducting outreach, designing visitor programs, and engaging with the public. Assisting with maintenance tasks including trail maintenance, maintenance of visitor facilities, replace signs, and other duties as assigned. Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys, refuge outreach events, and other refuge duties as assigned. This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to land management agencies and networking with professionals. This could include gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups. Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. The ACE Member is expected to work 50% at Bombay Hook NWR and 50% at Prime Hook NWR. The refuges are approximately 45 minutes apart. Weekends may be required to accomplish work tasks. 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 on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval. Position Benefits Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/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: No housing is provided, and it is the responsibility of the member. 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. Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, pants, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 2-year or 4-year college degree (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
• Familiarity with GPS and iPads
• Ensure quality of the data collected
• Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
• Ability to identify shorebirds and willingness to learn
• 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
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects, heat, humidity, rain
• Willingness to participate in training
• Willingness to work on office tasks including report development, use of AGOL and arcgis pro, filing and other tasks as needed

Responsibilities

• Completing assigned tasks related to information and data collection, acquisition, entry, organization and management
• Support the nesting shorebird program by performing monitoring, habitat data collection, predator monitoring, and maintaining equipment.
• Maintaining areas around the visitor centers/contact stations, trails, observation platforms/decks using hand tools, mowers and weedwhackers.
• Promote and maintain pollinator habitat by maintaining established pollinator gardens & work with volunteers to plant and maintain native plant gardens.
• Conducting invasive species management and monitoring including physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws).
• Conducting outreach, designing visitor programs, and engaging with the public.
• Assisting with maintenance tasks including trail maintenance, maintenance of visitor facilities, replace signs, and other duties as assigned.
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys, refuge outreach events, and other refuge duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/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.
• Housing: No housing is provided, and it is the responsibility of the member.
• 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.
• Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, pants, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree