Vulnerability Assessments for Resources of Concern

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service • Denver, CO

9d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Semester of Service Program offers students an unpaid, project-based opportunity to support Federal missions and gain hands-on experience and career-ready skills. The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) seeks refuge-scale information about the sustainability of its resources, assets, and management strategies. The volunteer will help develop information workflows that support Refuge planning and decision making. Project duties will be tailored to NWRS needs and the selected candidate’s skills.

The position is based at the Natural Resources Program Center, Denver Federal Center, Building 53, Denver, Colorado, and is hybrid, combining in-office work with telework eligibility. There are three positions for a 90-day Spring 2027 term, occurring between mid-January and mid-June. Volunteers commit to 8–20 hours per week for at least 90 days. This is an unpaid volunteer experience; no compensation, stipend, or hiring preference is provided. Volunteers are not Federal employees, though they receive coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act and workers’ compensation for service-related injuries.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Be enrolled at least half-time throughout the 90-day opportunity in an accredited educational institution located in the United States, at undergraduate level or above.
• Be in good academic standing as defined by the educational institution.
• Have completed two years of higher education, including basic coursework in biology, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Be able to commit to volunteering 8–20 hours per week for a minimum of 90 days.
• Complete required onboarding documentation assigned by the Department of the Interior and the academic institution.
• Agree to volunteer without compensation and understand that volunteers are not Federal employees.
• Not be a current Federal employee.
• Students graduating before May 1, 2027 are not eligible.
• Provide a copy of transcripts for verification and arrange for a school official to sign a Semester of Service approval form confirming at least half-time enrollment and good academic standing.

Nice To Haves

• Coursework or experience in wildlife-habitat relationships.
• Coursework or experience in data analysis and research methods.
• Coursework or experience in geographic information systems, including ArcPro or QGIS.
• Experience in programming, such as Python or R.
• Experience processing documents with AI.

Responsibilities

• Work with National Wildlife Refuge System staff to identify a priority habitat, species, asset, or management approach and an appropriate assessment framework.
• Conduct literature reviews to identify environmental or social hazards and stressors affecting the condition and viability of the selected resource or management approach.
• Review internal and external tools and data sets to identify information sources that Refuges can use to characterize current and future trends in hazards and stressors.
• Work with National Wildlife Refuge System staff and external subject matter experts to develop or refine conceptual, qualitative, or quantitative models identifying risks of ecological transformation on Refuge lands.
• Document methods and outcomes, for example in a white paper or peer-reviewed publication.
• Produce informational and outreach materials, such as websites and presentations to leadership and staff.

Benefits

• Meaningful project work with clear deliverables, regular supervision, and Federal mentorship.
• Hands-on application of academic knowledge in real-world Federal operations.
• Exposure to Federal missions, workplace culture, and potential career pathways.
• Coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act and workers’ compensation for service-related injuries.
• Structured onboarding and ongoing supervision.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern