Habitat Conservation Support Member – Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Habitat Conservation Support Member – Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge

Summary: American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Habitat Conservation Support Members to help implement habitat conservation and restoration projects alongside Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Staff. During this term, the ACE member will provide valuable support and assist in data collection under the guidance and direction of FWS staff.

Start Date: 05/02/2022 (flexible, can be later start date)

End Date: 07/29/2022*

**13-week commitment required**

Location: Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge - Brigham City, UT

Established in 1928 by Congress (Public Law 304) and the initial boundaries designated by Presidential Proclamation (2011) in 1932, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge was one of the first refuges to join a system of lands now encompassing over 560 refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System - a network of lands set aside and managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service specifically for wildlife. The Refuge and other wetlands associated with the Great Salt Lake provide critical habitat for migrating birds, over 250 species moving through this area annually by the millions to rest and feed. As part of the Bear River Bay, the Refuge is designated as a Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network site, a globally important shorebird area.

The Refuge lies along the eastern edge of the Pacific Flyway and the western edge of the Central Flyway, making it an important resting, feeding, and nesting area for birds in both flyways. Of more than 250 bird species that use the refuge, 67 species nest on the Refuge. American avocets and black-necked stilts nest by the thousands along Refuge dikes and roads. White-faced ibis nest in dense emergent vegetation in large colonies of up to 10,000 birds. Migrant tundra swans can number in the tens of thousands in the spring and fall. The Refuge uses a complex system of dikes and water control structures to provide different water depths for a variety of waterbird species over the seasons.

On the ancestral homelands of the Shoshone, Paiute, Bannock, and Ute people known as the Newe or Meme (the People), the Refuge lands and waters support diverse plant and animal species in a mosaic of mudflats, river deltas, brackish and freshwater marshes, temporary ponds, and uplands. Refuge uplands have scattered knolls that form a unique ecological community in the Bear River delta.

Today, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge contains nearly 80,000 acres of marsh, open water, uplands, and alkali mudflats. The marshes and open water are managed using a complex system of dikes and water control structures to provide a variety of water depths suitable for the needs of different waterbird species. The Refuge is an excellent place to observe wildlife along a 12-mile auto tour route, as well as enjoying hunting, fishing, and wildlife photography.

For more information about the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, please visit: 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.

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.

The priorities of this project will be to establish baseline vegetation data points and photo log stations for at least 2 habitat management projects, 3-Bar native plant community restoration project and Unit 4 hydrologic restoration area. Once the habitat management projects are completed, these data collected will provide valuable future insight as to the success of these implemented projects. These data points will be revisited and monitored for change over time and how they provide important habitat for the refuge’s migratory and resident wildlife.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Collecting vegetation survey data at plots randomly placed within each project area.

• Establishing at least five photo log points within each project area and set up trail camera points.

• Providing a summary of vegetation survey plots randomly placed within each project area.

In addition to directly supporting the Wildlife Biologist, this position will allow opportunities to network with Utah State University researchers who will be performing wetland and vegetation projects on the refuge during the same timeframe. Projects the university works on include seed collection for revegetation of Utah lakes and completing microtopography transects and find correlation between dominant plant species and microtopography. These researchers will provide valuable knowledge and identification of plants as well as information on courses of study and career opportunities in the field of conservation.

Additionally, the Support Members will have the opportunity to meet, shadow, and learn from all Refuge staff including the Project Leader, Deputy Project Leader, Maintenance team, and Strike Force team. The Support Members will also have the opportunity to support the Visitor Services team on projects such as installing and maintaining the Nature Explore classroom, reviewing interpretive materials, working with volunteers, and assisting with programs such as the Great Salt Lake Bird Festival. The Refuge is also working with YouthWorks, a youth employment training organization in Salt Lake City, to hold quarterly career development training to highlight the variety of career opportunities in the Service and the Support Members will be able to participate in the summer career training.

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 Habitat Conservation Support Members 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 or ACE. 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.