Deadline: Mon, 03/06/2023 - 12:00pm Employer: American Conservation Experience Job Field: Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Wildlife Other Job Type: Seasonal, Temporary, Internship Location: Massachusetts Location Detail: Chatham, MA Job Description: Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to outreach and education about shorebirds The ACE member will work in support of a shorebird disturbance reduction project. The tasks will be a mix of outreach and providing beach visitors with information regarding regulations and nesting shorebirds. This position also requires living in a remote field camp for a portion of the internship. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of: ● Developing a stewardship program for the offshore islands based off Audubon’s Toolkit ● Creating outreach materials with simple messages based off Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative (AFSI) documents ● Determining if other strategies from AFSI guides can be implemented and lay out path to do so ● Incorporating established programs where possible that inform public on how to reduce shorebird disturbance (buffer distance when walking the beach, leave dogs at home, photographers’ etiquette) ● Evaluating ways to engage with the public (Website, Facebook, Kiosk, etc) ● Determining potential partners for outreach campaign More specifically, the Visitor Services Member will support in: ● Creating easy to understand outreach material based on Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative (AFSI) recommendations for the public regarding: ● Refuge regulations ● Give shorebirds space when walking (may use programs already established if appropriate) ● Photographers best practices outreach materials (may use programs already established if appropriate) ● Creating list of physical and internet-based places to post this material that are used by the public that access Monomoy NWR ● Living in a remote field camp on offshore island from June 15 through Aug 15 to talk with visitors and provide information on regulations. ● Creating the structure for starting a volunteer stewardship program that would serve the offshore island ● Determine validity of having a steward(s) stay at the lighthouse for 4-6 weeks each summer to provide protection for nesting and migrating birds and to provide outreach to the public ● Create manual for volunteer stewards stationed on island ● Create list of where to recruit for volunteers ● Determining which strategies from AFSI materials are best to pursue for use at Monomoy NWR 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. Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday during the months of May and September and then Thursday through Monday from June 15 - August 15. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, and involve work performed outside of normal work hours on weekends and holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval. Qualifications: Qualifications Required: ● Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required byU.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 alone, 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). ● 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. ● 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. ● To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here. Preferred: ● Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position ● Knowledge of shorebird and seabird biology ● Ability and willingness to walk 10 miles per day over sand, carrying gear ● Ability and willingness to interact with the visiting public of all ages in a professional manner. ● Deep interest in wildlife conservation and management ● Comfortable traveling to various island locations via boat. ● Comfortable living and working in field camps with remote conditions. Miscellaneous: Summary American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Visitor Services Member to contribute to the visitor services program alongside Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org. Start Date: May 2023 Estimated End Date: September 2023 *17 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility* Location Details/Description: Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge; Chatham, MA The refuge provides important resting, nesting and feeding habitat for migratory birds, including the federally protected piping plover, roseate tern, and red knot. At least 25 species of seabird, shorebird, waterfowl, and colonial waterbird nest on three offshore islands. The refuge also supports the largest nesting colony of common terns on the Atlantic seaboard, exceeding 14,000 pairs. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge’s mission is to protect the habitats critical to migratory birds, spawning horseshoe crabs, and other wildlife while affording the public an opportunity to experience this unique wilderness refuge. For more information about Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Monomoy/ Benefits: Position Benefits 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. 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: ACE members will spend a portion of their time living and working on a remote wilderness island. Housing on the island will be split between a field camp with no electricity or running water and a lighthouse keeper’s house with electricity, propane stove for cooking, and hot water. Days off will be on the island. ACE members will be provided the opportunity to refresh groceries and supplies every 10-14 days. When off the island, ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term. 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. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Member Manager, Claire Barnwell at cbarnwell@usaconservation.org or (585) 484-7626. 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.
