Visitor Services Member - San Luis National Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • Los Banos, CA

10h • 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 San Luis NWR Staff. This position will help FWS realize its mission at San Luis NWR. The member will both engage with visitors on-site at San Luis National Wildlife Refuge and work with multiple refuges across the region on digital design of interpretation products. Approximately half of the member's time will be dedicated to supporting San Luis NWR's visitor services, including greeting visitors, assisting with public programs, and participating in events. Day-to-day tasks will include answering visitor questions, sharing information about refuges. The remaining half of the member's time will focus on using creative interpretive information skills and design programs to create and update interpretive products such as information signs, brochures, web content, and other outreach materials. The member's contributions will create long-lasting materials and programs that extend far beyond the internship term. 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 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 Bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as visitor services, interpretation or design, community engagement, recreation planning, or education.
• Knowledge of InDesign and PowerPoint programs, conservation, and education principles.
• Ability and willingness to speak to the public, drive to other refuge locations, learn new skills.
• Deep interest in connecting the public with nature and public lands through interpretation, visitor services, and recreation on public lands.

Responsibilities

• Support visitor engagement at San Luis NWR by answering questions, providing refuge information, and assisting visitors on-site.
• Assist with planning and delivering public programs, special events, and conservation education activities.
• Create new interpretive signs and visual materials that enhance visitor understanding of national wildlife refuges.
• Update and develop digital media and website content for San Luis NWR and other refuges in the region.
• Use programs such as Microsoft InDesign and Powerpoint to produce digital interpretive products for Sonny Bono, Sacramento, Ruby Lake, and other regional refuges.
• Collaborate with refuge staff to improve visitor services, outreach, and public engagement across multiple locations.
• Travel to other National Wildlife Refuges in California support visitor and community engagement projects.
• 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 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