Wildlife Biology Member - San Andres National Wildlife Refuge

Wildlife Biology Member San Andres National Wildlife Refuge

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking one Member to contribute to a wildlife biology research project of big game populations (mule deer oryx desert bighorn sheep and barbary sheep) under the mentorship of wildlife biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss.

For more information about ACE please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: 08/11/2025

Estimated End Date: 12/13/2025

*a 18week minimum commitment is required approximately 720 hours*

Location Details/Description: San Andres National Wildlife Refuge Las Cruces New Mexico. The study area for the project includes San Andres National Wildlife Refuge White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss.

San Andres National Wildlife Refuge is part of the largest continuous and relatively undisturbed portion of the Chihuahuan Desert in the United States. Established in 1941 to conserve desert bighorn sheep the refuge occupies 57215 acres in the southern end of the San Andres Mountains in southcentral New Mexico. Its steep terrain and isolated springs provide unique habitat for a variety of wildlife. The refuge serves as a natural laboratory for research and management projects. The refuge is home to desert bighorn sheep oryx mule deer black bears mountain lions bobcats gray fox javelina and a variety of migratory birds. San Andres National Wildlife Refuge has restricted access onto the refuge for safety and security concerns. The refuge is completely surrounded by and accessed through the 2.2million acre Department of Defense Department of the Army White Sands Missile Range the largest military installations in the United States. Project work will occur on the 1.2million acre Fort Bliss also neighboring the Refuge.

For more information about San Andres National Wildlife Refuge please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve protect and enhance fish wildlife plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at San Andres National Wildlife Refuge along with White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss. The member will assist field staff with a collaborative study on habitat use and abundance estimation of big game populations (mule deer oryx desert bighorn sheep and barbary sheep) being conducted in southern New Mexico by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Department of Defense New Mexico Department of Game and Fish New Mexico State University University of New Mexico and U.S. Geological Survey. The overarching goal of the study is to predict potential changes in distribution ranges and abundance of big game populations. The study area includes San Andres National Wildlife Refuge White Sands Missile Range and Fort Bliss.

The member will assist project staff with establishing and maintaining remote camera arrays data entry data management and image classification. Responsibilities are subject to change depending on time of year. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

• Establish and maintain remote camera arrays in the remote San Andres mountains and Fort Bliss 70
  • Navigate to remotely located cameras using a combination of the following: UTV 4WD vehicle hiking and GPS navigation (e.g. OnX).
  • Monitor camera operability ensure cameras have batteries equipment remains in place and check/replace SD cards.
• Data entry and management 10
  • Compile and summarize data from biological surveys and evaluations.
  • Perform quality control on survey data check resulting data for inconsistencies.
• Image classification of wildlife 20
  • Assist with measuring distances between animals captured in images and the cameras imaging them.
• Assist with other related biological work as assigned
  • E.g. retrieve wildlife GPS collars organize data from wildlife GPS collars etc.

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. Biweekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Individuals must be willing to work irregular hours (e.g. holidays weekends early and late mornings/evenings). Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed biweekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2024/25 grant year program valued between $1956.35 $2817.14 upon successful completion of a complete service term and the required hours.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. 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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLCeligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service 16 weeks) the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLCeligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Some overnight camping may be required (supplies provided) particularly for work on Fort Bliss.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $300 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes work boots rain gear backpack etc. and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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. Specific training may include UTV safety training CPR/First Aid and Defensive Drivers training.

Scholarship Funding Opportunity: The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACEs Access and Inclusion Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional positive and enthusiastic manner.
• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete biweekly timesheets beginning of term feedback forms end of term evaluations and for longer terms a midterm evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website on usaconservation dot org.
• Ability to be both selfdirected comfortable working alone in remote areas and be a positive contributing member of a group.
• Detailoriented highly motivated and have a positive disposition
• Reliable communication skills and be able to write legibly.
• Responsibly operate and maintain all field equipment.
• Comfortable performing physically demanding fieldwork in inclement weather and under strenuous hot and arid conditions in a mountainous desert ecosystem where potential encounters with wildlife can occur such as venomous animals.
• Comfortable navigating long distances 10 miles) to and from GPS coordinates in rugged terrain.
• Willing to work irregular hours (e.g. holidays weekends early and late mornings/evenings).

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in wildlife ecology and management.
• Experience operating 4WD vehicles operating UTVs and trailering.
• Strong background in wildlife biology such as working with wildlife trail cameras.
• Experience working in the backcountry.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting standing walking hiking carrying using hands to handle or feel reaching with hands and arms talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop kneel climb stairs and/or crouch. Ability to hike long distances 10 miles) over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Requires close distance peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 30 lbs. ability to move up to 45 pounds.
• Environmental: Primarily outdoor conditions. Fieldwork is conducted in a hot and arid mountainous desert ecosytem. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools and UTVs.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold rocky terrain biting insects and dangerous wildlife such as venomous animals. The member should be physically comfortable with performing fieldwork in inclement weather and under strenuous conditions (hot arid) in a mountainous desert ecosystem. 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.

To Apply: Please submit your resume a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACEs online application page for this position on our website at usaconservation dot org. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager Saige Ruleau.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in EVerify and will provide the federal government with your Form I9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and jobrelated factors. Every qualified employee member or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment hire training transfer promotion compensation demotion termination benefits employee activities and general treatment without regard to race color religion age sex creed national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information veteran or military status physical or mental disability sexual orientation medical condition marital or parental status political affiliation ethnicity hair texture or style arrest record caste hereditary status endogamy or any other classification protected by applicable local state or federal law.