Volunteer Coordination & Visitor Services Support Member - Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

EPIC • Brigham City, UT

3d • $600 • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience (ACE), in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking a Volunteer Coordination & Visitor Services Support Member to help coordinate and recruit volunteers, and work with education partners to teach a cross-curricular program in cultural resource and environmental education under the mentorship of USFWS staff. The project is based out of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Brigham City, UT and will assist with programming at Golden Spike National Historic Park, Timpanogos Cave National Monument, and Fossil Butte National Monument. This position is a 52-week minimum commitment, approximately 2080 hours. 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 FWS realize that mission at Bear River MBR. 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.
• Knowledge of natural and cultural resources.
• Desire to work with diverse audiences in an urban setting.
• Writing skills with an understanding of basic grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Attention to detail.
• Ability to effectively communicate with supervisor, coworkers, and the public.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position will hold a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as environmental education, education, wildlife biology, environmental science, natural resources, parks and recreation, ecology or other related disciplines appropriate to the position or equivalent job experience in the realm of outreach, interpretation, or education.
• Experience recruiting or training volunteers.
• Experience working with schools and teaching formal or informal educational programming.
• Experience developing and coordinating education programs.

Responsibilities

• Coordinating with the Visitor Services Manager, other FWS staff, and National Park Service staff on Visitor Services related projects.
• Managing the Refuge's volunteer program through recruitment, training, project creation, and supervision of all regular and one-time Refuge volunteers.
• Connecting with community partners to recruit and provide outside volunteer opportunities and projects to increase the public's knowledge of the Refuge.
• Assisting with continuous administrative tasks, hours tracking, and the creation of onsite volunteer appreciation and service days.
• Building connections with local school personnel, including teachers and district administrators to conduct research on local education program needs and state education standards.
• Gaining awareness and knowledge of the local culture and community to help broaden and deepen the connections with nature and increase knowledge of engagement opportunities that are culturally relevant to the community.
• Using conducted research to develop and/or teach grade level specific curriculum materials for hands-on on- and off- site educational programming that fosters meaningful connections to natural and cultural resources, meets state education standards, and focuses on natural resource and historic concepts of Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Golden Spike National Historic Park, and the surrounding Great Salt Lake Ecosystem.
• Coordinating and present developed education programs.
• Evaluating curriculum materials for appropriateness and effectiveness.
• Enhance and modify curriculum as needed to meet the education standards and objectives of each group.
• Assisting with Refuge and Park events and outreach activities.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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. Depending on room availability, this may be a shared room with another member of the same gender.
• 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