Visitor Services Member - Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex

EPIC • Commerce City, CO

8h • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one (1) Member to contribute to customer service, education, and conservation projects under the mentorship of Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Start Date: April 13th, 2026 Estimated End Date: January 30th, 2027 a 42 week minimum commitment is required Location Details/Description: Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex- Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center. The Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of Rocky Flats NWR, Two Ponds NWR, and Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge is a 5,237-acre refuge in Golden, Colorado, and has striking vistas of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains and rolling prairie grasslands, woodlands and wetlands. It is home to 239 migratory and resident wildlife species, including prairie falcons, deer, elk, coyotes, songbirds, and the federally threatened Preble's meadow jumping mouse. Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge is located in Arvada, Colorado and is the smallest urban refuge in the country. At 72 acres, the Refuge's habitat hosts over 120 species of birds and a variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is located just northeast of Denver and is a 15,000-acre expanse of prairie, wetland and woodland habitat. The land has a unique story - it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland, to war-time manufacturing site, to wildlife sanctuary. It may be one of the finest conservation success stories in history and a place where wildlife thrives. For more information about CO Front Range NWRC, please visit the FWS website. Position Overview: Duties will include providing support with: Visitor Center Support and Community Engagement: Supporting the Refuge Hub- the Visitor Center- to set the foundation for a quality visitor experience and visit to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Staffing the information desk to provide seasonal updates and information about enjoying the refuge safely. Assists with wayfinding for deliveries or contractors that arrive at the Visitor Center. Contributing to building opening and closing procedures including performing light custodial duties and facility maintenance as needed to provide clean restrooms and visitor areas. Assisting with seasonal operational needs for the building such as snow removal during winter months and supporting outdoor upkeep including watering the pollinator garden and maintaining visitor use areas during the summer and other peak seasons. Assists with welcoming and introductions for community groups, environmental education and school programs/field trips, and community events taking place at the Visitor Center. Other Refuge Support: Supporting seasonal stewardship tasks that enhance habitat quality and visitor enjoyment throughout the year. Assists managing daily husbandry tasks for the Complex's Black-footed ferrets, a federally listed endangered species. This includes custodial and maintenance tasks for the exhibit building. (cleaning window panels, removing plants encroaching on outdoor exhibit) Facilitating public education programs and demonstrations to increase community awareness of Black-footed ferret conservation efforts, including the reintroduction story at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. 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: (Wednesday - Sunday, 8:30am- 5:00pm) to facilitate Visitor Center building operating hours.

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.
• 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.

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 education, natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Knowledge and deep interest in wildlife, biology, ecology, and engaging others in an educational setting.
• Spanish speaking/fluency.

Responsibilities

• Visitor Center Support and Community Engagement: Supporting the Refuge Hub- the Visitor Center- to set the foundation for a quality visitor experience and visit to Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.
• Staffing the information desk to provide seasonal updates and information about enjoying the refuge safely.
• Assists with wayfinding for deliveries or contractors that arrive at the Visitor Center.
• Contributing to building opening and closing procedures including performing light custodial duties and facility maintenance as needed to provide clean restrooms and visitor areas.
• Assisting with seasonal operational needs for the building such as snow removal during winter months and supporting outdoor upkeep including watering the pollinator garden and maintaining visitor use areas during the summer and other peak seasons.
• Assists with welcoming and introductions for community groups, environmental education and school programs/field trips, and community events taking place at the Visitor Center.
• Other Refuge Support: Supporting seasonal stewardship tasks that enhance habitat quality and visitor enjoyment throughout the year.
• Assists managing daily husbandry tasks for the Complex's Black-footed ferrets, a federally listed endangered species. This includes custodial and maintenance tasks for the exhibit building. (cleaning window panels, removing plants encroaching on outdoor exhibit)
• Facilitating public education programs and demonstrations to increase community awareness of Black-footed ferret conservation efforts, including the reintroduction story at Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $810/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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship.
• Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.
• Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, jackets, and hats, 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 opportunities for education, outreach, wildlife surveys, and habitat management will be available.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree