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ACE: Forest Inventory Assistant Member - Northeast Regional Office, Hadley, MA

Employer
American Conservation Experience EPIC
Location
Springfield, Georgia, US
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Jun 13, 2021

View more

Sector
Academic / Research
Field
Informatics / GIS
Discipline
Restoration
Salary Type
Salary
Employment Type
Fellowship
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking ONE Forest Inventory Assistant Member to assist leaders in developing and implementing a Forest Inventory and Monitoring Program and collect forest inventory data on at least three National Wildlife Refuges in the Northeast Region. This position will be assigned to a number of different refuge duty stations for extended periods of time during the field work component of this placement. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in natural resources and/or habitat management on conservation lands. The purpose of this placement is to perform a variety of biological technical duties in support of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) field projects pertaining to forest ecosystem inventory and monitoring and habitat restoration. The position will last 32 weeks. The starting and ending dates are flexible to some degree.

Start Date: May 24, 2021

End Date: December 31, 2021

Location: USFWS, Northeast Regional Office, Hadley Massachusetts, with temporary field duty assignments on at least three Refuges in Region 5.

Project Website: For more information on the Hadley, MA USFWS Office, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/ro.html

For more information regarding ACE, please visit www.usaconservation.org.

Compensation: The ACE Member will complete 40 hours/week and receive a living allowance of $700/week paid out biweekly for food and incidental costs. For the periods requiring the member to be away from their primary duty station, on site housing may be provided at no cost to the intern.

PLC Competitive Hiring Authority: This position is authorized by the Public Land Corps (PLC) Act of 1993 and expanded by the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2013. Interns who meet basic requirements during their term of service may be eligible to receive their Noncompetitive Hiring Eligibility Certificate to be used when applying to future federal jobs. Requirements are: (1) Intern must be between the ages of 18 to 30 and (2) Intern must complete at least 640 hours on a federally approved PLC Project. More information can be provided upon request.

Position Description:

Field Work

Percentage of Time: 60%

Collect forest inventory data on at least three National Wildlife Refuges. Duties will include assistance with the forest and wildlife habitat data collection, management and analysis. Assist with the development of inventory sampling design, spreadsheets and databases to facilitate survey efforts. Assist team leaders and Refuge staff in configuring forest inventory software to meet specific Refuge survey objectives. Use knowledge of forest and wildlife habitat inventory techniques, plant identification, spreadsheet and database programs, ArcGIS and statistical analysis to assist with the assessment of Refuge forest habitats. Data collection may be in remote and difficult to reach locations with rugged terrain and variable conditions.

Forest Inventory and Monitoring Program Development

Percentage of Time: 40%

Primarily assists Refuges Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning Terrestrial Ecosystem Team leaders in developing and implementing a Forest Inventory and Monitoring Program on Refuges.

Duties will include providing technical assistance with the forest and wildlife habitat data collection, management and analysis. Assist with the development of inventory sampling design, spreadsheets and databases to facilitate survey efforts. Assist team leaders and Refuge staff in configuring forest inventory software to meet specific Refuge survey objectives.

Use knowledge of forest and wildlife habitat inventory techniques, spreadsheet and database programs, ArcGIS and statistical analysis to assess Refuge forest habitats. Prepare and edit reports, survey protocols, training materials, standard operating procedures and other documents developed to assist Refuge biologists, foresters and technicians to implement the forest inventory and monitoring program.

Participate on terrestrial ecosystem teams and assist team leaders by providing support for managing and coordinating teams. Support includes helping develop team agendas, taking and posting meeting and call notes, facilitating communication between team members and tracking actions.

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

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday-Friday. This member may have projects that begin very early and/or go late into the day and may have weekend duties as well. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Time off will be granted.

The member will be expected to safely and professionally operate a vehicle on site with a clear and valid license. As outlined by the USFWS protocol, Vehicle Use: "Participants under the age of 21 shall not be allowed to operate any motorized vehicle. Participants and partner organization staff 21 and older may be allowed to drive a vehicle owned, rented, leased or loaned by the USFWS only when: 1. The vehicle is used with written permission from the USFWS's field manager and only for official agency use; 2. The driver is properly licensed and qualified to operate the vehicle, and all such vehicle use, maintenance, training and operation is in compliance with 243 FW 1, Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Equipment and all other applicable policies for usage of USFWS motor vehicles; 3. The driver has completed a defensive driving course within the last three years; 4. Before field work requiring the use of a motorized vehicle begins, the USFWS site coordinator provides written documentation that all of the above criteria have been met to the partner organization contact. Such documentation may be provided electronically; and 5. Both the driver and the vehicle will be covered by insurance policy maintained by the partner organization covering the use of such vehicle."

Equipment Use: The Refuge will provide a vehicle and the tools required to accomplish the tasks the individual is asked to do. Training will be provided for all equipment that the Intern is asked to use. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Heavy equipment (tractors, dozers, graders, backhoes, front-end loaders, etc.) may not be used by Interns unless the Official U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service training and certification process is completed. Local training is allowed for small equipment such as lawn mowers, weed-eaters, ATVs and UTVs. A valid state driver's license is required for any (highway legal) vehicle use.

Position Environment: Duties are performed both indoors and outdoors. Temperature and weather extremes and difficult terrain can be encountered in the performance of outdoor duties. The individual is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/interns or resources.

Qualifications:

Required:
  • Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner
  • U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
  • Funding for this ACE position is provided by a federal program designed specifically for the employment of youth and young adults and therefore is subject to minimum and maximum age requirements of 18-30 (35 for veterans)
  • A valid driver's license, clean driving record, and ability to provide such documentation
  • A personal vehicle is required for off-duty hours due to the remoteness of the refuge, according to hurricane protocol, and for personal time off
  • Effective communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences
  • Able and willing to work alone and in a group
  • Able and willing to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor
  • Capable of carrying a 50 pound pack for up to 2 miles
  • Ability to operate independently and in remote areas
  • Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check
  • Able to complete agency computer, privacy, and records management training successfully
  • Have a positive, flexible attitude

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 in forestry, wildlife biology, ecology, botany, natural resource management, parks and recreation or other related disciplines appropriate to the position.
  • Knowledge of the basic procedure and technical terminology used in the field of forestry, wildlife biology, plant ecology, invasive species management and the inventory and monitoring of natural resources.
  • Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
  • Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting.
  • Knowledge and skills in taking exact measurements, performing mathematics, some of which may be complicated, and keeping detailed and precise records to collect and assemble data.
  • Experience and/or knowledge with Microsoft Excel and Access, GPS, GIS and data collection software and equipment.
  • Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation.
  • Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional.
  • Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.

Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume, cover letter, and unofficial academic transcript along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website here: https://usaconservationepic.applicantpool.com/jobs/ ***Academic transcripts are required for verification of related coursework and professional development purposes, as opposed to evaluating prior academic performance.

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.

NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC USFWS Recruitment and Member Manager, Dave Hecker at dhecker@usaconservation.org or (801) 386-1629.

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