Biology Members – J Clark Salyer and Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuges

Biology Members – J Clark Salyer and Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuges

ACE EPIC placements provide young adults with focused, hands-on opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers.

Funding for ACE positions is provided by a federal program designed specifically for the employment of youth and young adults.

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Biology Member(s) to help with a diversity of projects involving mapping and management of invasive plants in the Northwest North Dakota Complex in north-central North Dakota.

The Refuge Complex is located in the Prairie Pothole Region of the U.S., considered the duck factory of North America, and harbors habitat that includes prairie pothole wetlands, mixed grass prairie, aspen parkland, and riparian/coulee forest. The Refuge Complex consists of J. Clark Salyer NWR (59,700 acres), J. Clark Salyer Wetland Management District (5 county area), Upper Souris NWR (32,092 acres), Upper Souris WMD (1 county area), Des Lacs NWR (19,500 acres), Lostwood NWR (27,589 acres), Lostwood WMD (1 county area), and Crosby Wetland Management District (3 county area).

Start Date: Mid-April to Mid-May flexible

End Date: 16 weeks later (Early August - Early September)

**16-week commitment required**

Location: Northwest North Dakota Complex – North Dakota

One biology member will be placed at each of the following stations (Please state if you have a preference in location in your cover letter):

J. Clark Salyer National Wildlife Refuge - Upham, ND (https://proxy.qualtrics.com/proxy/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fws.gov%2Frefu…)

Des Lacs National Wildlife Refuge - Kenmare, ND (https://proxy.qualtrics.com/proxy/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fws.gov%2Frefu…)

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $499/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.

AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,678.57) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment is required.

Public Land Corps (PLC) Non-competitive Hiring Authority: Members serving on this project may be eligible to receive a Department of the Interior (DOI) PLC non-competitive hiring authority certificate upon completion of their term of service. Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours (16 weeks at 40 hours/week) and utilize their certificate when applying for qualifying federal positions within 2 years of receipt. More information can be provided upon request.

Position Description:

This individual placement is meant to facilitate personal growth and professional development and promotes exposure to land management agencies and networking with agency professionals. This could include gaining experience in a variety of conservation fields and/or shadowing different work groups.

Primary Duties include:

-GIS mapping of invasive plants using a rapid protocol established in the Prairie Region;

-Searching for new infestations (Early Detection Rapid Response) – methods may vary by refuge;

-Spot and broadcast application of general use pesticides (with oversight from refuge staff) using light trucks and UTVs;

-Collection and translocation of leafy spurge beetles for biological control;

-Maintains station grounds by mowing lawns, mulching, weed eating, and trimming shrubs. Utilizes hand tools or tractors and skid steer type loaders performs work of spreading gravel or soils to rough grades.

Secondary Duties include:

-Keeps refuge buildings such as meeting rooms, visitor center, shop, and refuge office clean by sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, cleaning windows, ensuring bathrooms are clean and have the necessary supplies.

-Washes and fuels vehicles, performs such services as checking, changing oil and water; checking fluid levels in crankcases, power steering, transmissions, batteries, radiators, braking systems, etc.

-Assists in lifting, carrying, holding materials and performing other related tasks in renovation of building interiors and exteriors, and the replacement of worn plumbing fixtures; performs minor and simple tasks in the removal and replacement of broken window panes and repairs minor leaks in old roofs on buildings, warehouses, offices and dwellings.

-Assists in the installation, repair and alteration of: cabinets, doors, hardware (such as hinges, catches), interior trim, sheetrock, baseboards, tile, linoleum etc., by holding bracing materials, handling tools, materials or fittings. Uses a variety of wood working tools to cut boards to length, as well as accomplishing shaping, sanding and finishing work.

-Prepares and paints interior and exterior building surfaces by scraping or brushing to remove old paint and applying new paint or sealant through use of brushes, rollers or sprayers. Work is outlined by supervisor, including materials, methods and tools to be used.

-Assures that necessary safety equipment is on hand and adequate supplies are available in accessible locations for field personnel.

-Assist with other biological work, and other Refuge work (e.g. public outreach) as opportunities and interest allows.

Physical Requirements: This position requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The biology member may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.