Summer Biological Program Support Member - Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • Brussels, IL

11h • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking ONE Biological Program Support Member to contribute to biological surveys and conservation projects under the mentorship of Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: Early/Mid May, 2026 Flexible start date available Estimated End Date: Late July//Early August, 2026 (11 weeks after the anticipated start date) a 11-week minimum commitment is required Local candidates encouraged to apply Location Details/Description: Stationed at Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge - Brussels, Illinois Two Rivers NWR manages 9,225 acres of floodplain habitat around the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The refuge headquarters, including a visitor contact station and office building, is located in Brussels, Illinois. The refuge manages a variety of floodplain habitats, including seasonal wetlands, forests, grasslands, side channels, and river islands. The refuge was established to provide habitat for migratory birds and attracts millions of waterbirds annually. In addition, the refuge supports federally listed species including several bats and decurrent false aster, a floodplain plant endemic to the Illinois River watershed. For more information about Two Rivers National 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 the FWS realize the mission at Two Rivers NWR by supporting the refuge biology program. The biology program is essential to ensure that we are providing and maintaining quality habitat for a variety of wildlife species that depend on Two Rivers NWR. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks grouped by the percent of time the member will spend on a set of tasks: WILDLIFE, VEGETATION, AND DATA MANAGEMENT (Primary duties, 70%) Assist with invasive species control and removal, utilizing chemical (herbicide) and mechanical techniques. During the internship, shall be expected to complete training to possess a valid State of Illinois Pesticide Operator license. Participating in waterbird and vegetation surveys, including carrying out a variety of research and survey methods, and monitoring environmental elements related to conservation, management, and/or control of vegetation. Assisting with biological studies for determining the manner and extent to which vegetation communities are affected by management activities. Using field equipment including cameras, GPS equipment, binoculars, spotting scopes, and tablets in order to capture vegetation survey data or for other records. Independently identifying and collecting data. Logging samples/data. Compiling and summarizing data from surveys. Using a variety of databases and reporting systems to store and compile data from surveys. Collecting biological samples/data, ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, and delivery of samples/data. Using established automated databases to enter, organize, and perform preliminary analysis of collected data, using standard statistical methods in preparation of reports. Determining approach and then summarizing data using a variety of database software programs or other presentation approaches, ensuring records are detailed, precise and accurately transferred. Entering and retrieving data from geographic information systems (GIS) and/or other information management systems. Preparing segments of recurring reports such as monthly activities and progress reports on individual projects. PUBLIC USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION (Secondary duties, 25%) Providing biological information for public materials and participating in informational and/or environmental education programs to individuals, local organizations, and schools. Providing basic information on conservation resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to groups and individuals. GENERAL TEAM ASSISTANCE (5%) Assisting refuge staff with general tasks around the duty station/office related to core position functions. Assisting with outdoor projects such as trail maintenance. 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: Duties will typically be carried out between 8:00am and 4:30pm Central, Monday - Friday, typically 5 days/week (5/8s). Work hours may vary. 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 ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $760/week to offse t the costs of food, daily commuting, 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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS. The ACE member will be required to provide their own off-site housing and commute daily. The Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge is located near the town of Brussels, Illinois where a general store offers basic amenities. The town of Brussels is at the southern end of a peninsula bounded by the Illinois and Mississippi rivers. The Brussels Ferry is free to ride and connects drivers with Route 100 in Jersey County, Illinois. The Golden Eagle Ferry costs $17 for a round-trip and connects drivers with St. Peters/St. Charles, Missouri. Both ferry options are a short drive from the refuge headquarters. Bridges crossing both rivers can be used but add considerable drive time. Gear Reimbursement: Gear required for field work such as waders, knee boots, gloves, etc., will be purchased by the refuge for the member. Additionally, ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases such as socks, boots, outerwear etc. and 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 training may include FWS ATV/UTV, MOCC (Motorboat Operator Certification Course), canoe/kayak, chainsaw courses, and Illinois State pesticide applicator training.

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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with all ages and audiences.
• Ability to speak to the public.
• Ability to operate independently and in remote areas.
• Competent in Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to assist with invasive species control and removal, utilizing chemical (herbicide) and mechanical techniques.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology, wildlife management, natural resource management, parks and recreation, rangeland management, or other related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Knowledge of database systems.
• Practical knowledge of the biological sciences.
• Experience in using common hand tools and simple power equipment.
• Comfort communicating with the general public.
• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
• Skills and ability to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in the field or office setting.
• Skill in safely operating motorized vehicles.
• Experience and/or knowledge with GIS equipment.
• Experience and/or knowledge with wildlife and plant identification.
• Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional.
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.
• Ability to embrace travel opportunities as they arise to other nearby refuges, state areas, or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites.

Responsibilities

• Assist with invasive species control and removal, utilizing chemical (herbicide) and mechanical techniques.
• Participating in waterbird and vegetation surveys, including carrying out a variety of research and survey methods, and monitoring environmental elements related to conservation, management, and/or control of vegetation.
• Assisting with biological studies for determining the manner and extent to which vegetation communities are affected by management activities.
• Using field equipment including cameras, GPS equipment, binoculars, spotting scopes, and tablets in order to capture vegetation survey data or for other records.
• Independently identifying and collecting data.
• Logging samples/data.
• Compiling and summarizing data from surveys.
• Using a variety of databases and reporting systems to store and compile data from surveys.
• Collecting biological samples/data, ensuring correct documentation, reporting, storage, and delivery of samples/data.
• Using established automated databases to enter, organize, and perform preliminary analysis of collected data, using standard statistical methods in preparation of reports.
• Determining approach and then summarizing data using a variety of database software programs or other presentation approaches, ensuring records are detailed, precise and accurately transferred.
• Entering and retrieving data from geographic information systems (GIS) and/or other information management systems.
• Preparing segments of recurring reports such as monthly activities and progress reports on individual projects.
• Providing biological information for public materials and participating in informational and/or environmental education programs to individuals, local organizations, and schools.
• Providing basic information on conservation resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to groups and individuals.
• Assisting refuge staff with general tasks around the duty station/office related to core position functions.
• Assisting with outdoor projects such as trail maintenance.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $760/week to offse t the costs of food, daily commuting, 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.
• Gear Reimbursement: Gear required for field work such as waders, knee boots, gloves, etc., will be purchased by the refuge for the member. Additionally, ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases such as socks, boots, outerwear etc. and 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 training may include FWS ATV/UTV, MOCC (Motorboat Operator Certification Course), canoe/kayak, chainsaw courses, and Illinois State pesticide applicator training.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree