Visitor Services Member - Desert National Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • Las Vegas, NV

1d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Visitor Services Member to contribute to visitor services and environmental education projects under the mentorship of Desert National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Staff. This position will help FWS realize its mission at Desert NWR by enhancing visitor services, strengthening community engagement, and advancing recreation opportunities across multiple National Wildlife Refuges in the Pacific Southwest Region. The Member will help deliver education programs, support hunting and fishing programs across three refuges, assist leading outdoor recreation train-the-trainer programs, attend local outreach events, and assist with day-to-day visitor interaction and education. This position is designed to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities and awareness that will continue benefiting the refuge after the Member's term ends. The Member will spend most of their time supporting Desert NWR projects and will have the opportunity to travel to other refuges in Nevada or southern California to assist with their events, programs, and engagement initiatives. This support strengthens collaboration across refuges and ensures the skills developed at Desert NWR will contribute to professional development and broader conservation and public engagement goals. 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.

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 background and 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 a Bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as visitor services, community engagement, recreation planning, or education.
• Knowledge of natural resources, conservation, education principles.
• Ability and willingness to speak to the public, drive to other refuge locations, learn new skills.
• Deep interest in visitor services, community engagement, recreation on public lands.

Responsibilities

• Welcome and answer visitor questions about recreation opportunities, wildlife viewing, habitats, and natural resources.
• Co-Lead train-the-trainer workshops for outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Assist with education and interpretation programs, with special emphasis on youth programs.
• Assist staff with public programs, community outreach, education activities, and special events.
• Conduct outreach that promotes responsible recreation, particularly hunting and fishing, and builds connections with public lands.
• Travel to National Wildlife Refuges in Nevada and California to support visitor services, community events, and cross-refuge teamwork.
• Gain experience with other refuge operations such as biology and habitat management as time allows.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing (private room in a shared house) at no cost for the duration of the term.
• 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

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