USFWS National Energy Audits Coordinator Member – Traveling Nationally

USFWS National Energy Audits Coordinator Member – Traveling Nationally

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 One (1) National Energy Audits Coordinator Member to contribute to the completion of energy audits at select FWS field stations to satisfy statutory requirements from the Energy Independence Act of 2007 (EISA) Section 432. Energy audits assess the overall energy health of a building, and identify appropriate energy conservation measures that, when implemented, will increase the energy efficiency of the building. During this term, the ACE member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of performing level 2 energy audits at covered facilities, which are those that constitute at least 75% of the agency’s total facility energy use. Duties include conducting on-site evaluations and generating audit reports using the Facility Energy Decision System (FEDS). These positions require sustained travel throughout the nation and selected candidates will not have a central or primary work location during their term.

This opportunity is intended for committed young professionals with project management, engineering, energy, sustainability, or construction experience.

Start Date: August 1, 2022 or earlier

End Date: 23 weeks later

**23-week commitment required, approximately 920 hours**

Location: TBD (traveling) This is a field-based, highly mobile position requiring sustained and extended travel. Team members will be traveling to USFWS lands nationwide throughout the entirety of the term without a central or primary work location. Lodging and transportation will be provided for the duration of the term.

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out 8am - 4pm. 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 $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: ACE members will be booking accomodation at hotels and motels throughout the duration of travel. Care should be taken to reserve in advance, and minimize costs through thrifty reservation practices. Occasionally, accommodations may be provided on site at the field station at no cost.When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations 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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility.

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

-Coordinating energy audit dates with field station staff, copying the National Energy Program Manager and Regional Energy Manager on initial correspondence.

-Booking travel and accommodations for self and ACE interns (4 total).

-Performing level 2 energy audits at FWS field stations (i.e. national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries).

-Energy audits include on-site data collection of building features to assess building energy performance.

-Initial training on energy audits and how to use FEDS will be provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after hire.

-Briefing field station staff on audit plans and audit findings. This can be done on-site as an in or out brief, or over the phone and/or email per the field station staffs’ preferences.

-Inputting all data into FEDS software and generating energy audit reports.

-Providing appropriate field documentation (e.g. photos).

-Participating in check-in calls with the National Energy Program Manager.

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 ACE 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 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.