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Shorebird Management Member - Gulf Island National Seashore

Deadline:
Employer:
National Park Service

Job Field:
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Wildlife
Job Type:
Seasonal, Temporary, Internship
Location:
Florida
Location Detail:
Gulf Breeze, FL
Job Description:

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Shorebird Management Member to provide assistance during the peak activity of shorebird breeding season, alongside Gulf Islands National Seashore staff.

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

Position Overview:

The ACE Member will have two main focuses: (1) collecting accurate breeding data for imperiled breeding shorebirds at Gulf Island National Seashore and (2) evaluating the efficacy of current shorebird management practices to improve breeding success.

The ACE Member will assist park staff with monitoring and management activities related (but not limited) to these shorebirds: Snowy Plovers, Wilson's Plovers, Least Terns, Black Skimmers, and Piping Plovers.

Duties related to these focuses include:

Data collection: Compiling field notes including completed data sheets and conducting QA/QC for non breeding bird data

Surveys: Walking surveys of the three barrier islands

Nest Checks: Conducting independent checks of known nests/nesting activity

Data Management: Collecting field data using a tablet and entering data into the correct database. Checking data for accuracy and transfer into the Florida Shorebird Database (FSD) and Nest Story

Posting: Assisting staff with permanent and temporary rope/twine and signage installation and removal to protect nesting habitats from human disturbance.

Predation ID: Learning to identify and document nest/chick predation and suspected predator. Instal, maintain, and review game cameras for predator data. Update predator occurrence and nesting maps in ArcCollector and ArcGIS.

Roadkill Mitigation Data Analysis

Dog Monitoring: Documenting dog presence on beach; (dogs are not allowed on the beach). Act as a public liaison to have conversations with dog owners or contact Law Enforcement as necessary.

Public Outreach: Frequent contact with volunteers and the public to enhance the understanding of natural resources within the park. Attending and presenting at community outreach events to promote conservation.

Additional potential duties:

Routine park upkeep of supplies and equipment

Assisting with shorebird leg banding or egg floating, sea turtle nesting surveys, post-hatch inventories and disorientations, marine mammal stranding rescues, injured wildlife response, and archaeological surveys

Training: Field training will be provided to identify shorebird species by sight and sound, locate and monitor nests of multiple bird species, correctly conduct surveys and data collection, install symbolic fencing, re-sight banded adults and family groups, and to observe and document behavior. UTV operation training will also be offered.

The ACE Member may have the opportunity to attend and even present at the Fall Florida Panhandle Shorebird Working Group meeting, depending on scheduling. The working group is a partnership among multiple organizations involved in shorebird conservation throughout the Florida Panhandle, including NPS, USFWS, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Audubon FL.

Environmental Considerations: Approximately 75% of work will be performed outside on soft sandy beaches. Field work requires walking, bending and lifting 25+ pounds on a regular basis. Participants may be subject to biting insects, venomous snakes, and inclement weather including extreme heat, humidity, lightning, wind, and rain. ACE Members will be required to traverse several miles in soft sand while carrying a backpack and equipment. The remaining 25% of duties will be performed in an office setting. ACE Member will be required to sit for extended periods of time while performing repetitive manual tasks.

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.

Location Details/Description: Gulf Islands National Seashore - Gulf Breeze, FL

The Florida District of Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS) contains sparkling blue waters and sugar white sandy beaches. The largest of the National Seashores, GUIS stretches for 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, bayous, and marine habitat. The Seashore provides suitable habitat to over 300 species of birds and four species of nesting sea turtles. GUIS is also comprised of several historic coastal fortifications and batteries dating back to the early 19th century. Weather conditions can change from sunny skies to severe thunderstorms with little to no warning. All units within GUIS are relatively close to civilization (within 15 miles) and large city services are within a 30-minute drive.

For more information regarding Gulf Islands National Seashore, or the National Park Service, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm.

Start Date: February 21, 2023

Estimated End Date: August 22, 2023 (or 26 weeks after start date)

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required*

Schedule: The ACE Member will work Mondays-Fridays, 6:00am-2:30pm or 7:00am-3:30pm, depending on the time of sunrise and the day's high temperature. This includes a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks. The ACE Member may be asked, but is not required, to work outside of these hours.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $580/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program (EAP): This position may be eligible for an 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $3,247.50 upon successful completion of a complete serve term and 900 hours.

AmeriCorps Provided Childcare Coverage & Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS.

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.

 

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional / academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. For priority consideration please apply by January 2, 2023. Please note, this position may close at any time.

First round interviews will be conducted during the first week of January 2023.

If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Victoria Yee, at vyee@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Qualifications:

Required:

Members must be U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents, as required to comply with U.S. government contracts

Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.

Ability to be both self-directed / work independently 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).

A personal vehicle is required for this position.

Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check.

Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Ability and willingness to work outdoors for long hours every day, with possible exposure to biting insects, venomous snakes, and inclement weather, including (but not limited to) extreme summer heat, humidity, lightning, wind, and rain.

Ability and willingness to traverse several miles in soft sand while carrying backpack and equipment.

Must demonstrate an understanding of basic scientific principles, data collection, and analysis.

Ability to follow precise procedures and established protocols with close attention to detail.

Strong oral and written communication skills.

ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have requested (and been granted) a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

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 or as defined by AmeriCorps.

Preferred:

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as wildlife sciences, coastal ecology, imperiled species conservation, environmental studies, natural resources, wildlife management, or a related field.

Knowledge of native Florida bird species.

Deep interest in working with the National Park Service.

 

Miscellaneous:

N/A

Salary:
580/week
Benefits:

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $580/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program (EAP): This position may be eligible for an 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2022/23 grant year program, valued up to $3,247.50 upon successful completion of a complete serve term and 900 hours.

AmeriCorps Provided Childcare Coverage & Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS.

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.

 

How to Apply:

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional / academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. For priority consideration please apply by January 2, 2023. Please note, this position may close at any time.

First round interviews will be conducted during the first week of January 2023.

If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment and Outreach Manager, Victoria Yee, at vyee@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

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