Habitat Restoration Member – Cache River National Wildlife Refuge

Summary:
American Conservation Experience (ACE) a nonprofit conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking ONE Habitat Restoration Members to contribute to public land and habitat restoration projects under the mentorship of Cache River NWR Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: Mid/Late June 2025
Estimated End Date: August 2025
*an 8week minimum commitment is required approximately 320 hours*

Location Details/Description: Cache River National Wildlife Refuge Augusta Arkansas

Cache River National Wildlife Refuge encompasses approximately 74000 acres scattered along the Cache River White River and Bayou DeView. The Basin is a breathtaking tapestry of meandering channels shallow sloughs and oxbow lakes. This diverse landscape provides a vital home to various species of neotropical migratory birds wading birds shorebirds and other native wildlife.

For more information about Cache River National Wildlife Refuge please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: 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. 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.

The Members will be trained and acquire experiences in a wide array of habitat and public lands management. Members will also gain valuable skills in a variety of topics including flora and fauna of Central Arkansas interpretation and environmental education techniques habitat restoration maintenance and operations administration as well as program planning and evaluation.

Members will be involved with our wetland and forest restoration activities by assisting with various surveys helping to control invasive species banding waterfowl placing signage on the refuge and other refuge tasks.

Duties will include:

• Working with refuge staff to identify specific habitat improvement projects
• Conducting habitat improvement projects such as forest stand improvements invasive species management soil management and weed control
• Collecting accurate and detailed documentation of work being performed
• Assisting with biological surveys for species such as banding waterfowl
• Construction/repair of refuge infrastructure like trail signs fences parking lots etc

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out MondayFriday. Biweekly 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 a limited number weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Members are expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $650/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed biweekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 300hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2024/25 grant year program valued up to $1565.08 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 300 hrs.

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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please see the ACE website for more information on PLC eligibility.

Housing: Housing will be provided at no cost to the ACE member. The bunkhouse is located in a rural area approximately 30 minutes from the refuge headquarters. Members will need to be able to drive their own vehicle to report to the refuge each day.

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

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive positionspecific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures clear guidance on prohibited activities and networks for support. Specific training for habitat management and refuge operations will include defensive driving offroad vehicle use and other equipment used.

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.
• Ability to be both selfdirected/work alone and be a positive contributing members of a group.
• A valid drivers license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required threepart criminal history check.
• 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.
• Members 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 usaconservation website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an associates degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources biology ecology or a related subject.
• Basic knowledge of hand and power tools.
• Interest in learning invasive species management (plants) and/or habitat restoration techniques.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent standing walking hiking carrying using hands to handle or feel. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. Required to stoop kneel and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 25 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Weather is hot and humid and 95% or more outdoors.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gaspowered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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 swamp or wetland conditions biting insects and potentially dangerous wildlife. The members are 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 the online application page for this position our usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager Shannon Borrowy.

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.