Visitor Services Member – Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

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 Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: August 2025

Estimated End Date: January 2026

*26 week commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge; Folkston Georgia

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge conserves the unique qualities of the Okefenokee Swamp for future generations to enjoy. The swamp is considered the headwaters of the Suwannee and St Marys rivers. Habitats provide for threatened and endangered species such as red-cockaded woodpecker wood storks indigo snakes and a wide variety of other wildlife species. It is world renowned for its amphibian populations that are bio-indicators of global health. More than 600 plant species have been identified on refuge lands. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is over 407000 acres which include 353981 acres of National Wilderness Area within the refuge boundaries providing opportunities to recreate in solitude. In addition the refuge is a Wetland of International Importance because it is one of the worlds largest intact freshwater ecosystems.

For more information about Okefenokee NWR please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: During this term the ACE member will have the opportunity to learn about different careers in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and assist the Visitor Services division with program coordination and development. The ACE member will join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects such as roving outdoor interpretation outdoor programming virtual education and/or interpretive programming and staffing Visitor Centers.

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

• Participate in the planning development and delivery of Visitor Services activities including wildlife-dependent recreation interpretation environmental education and outreach.
• Assist with daily operations of the Richard S. Bolt Visitor Center including opening and closing procedures stocking brochures and publications cash register operation light cleaning organization maintenance and public safety.
• Welcome and orient visitors in person and by phone; provide accurate information regarding refuge rules regulations and available recreational opportunities for wildlife viewing photography educational programs fishing hunting hiking boating camping the auto tour route and other wildlife-dependent recreation opportunities.
• Promote visitor safety and resource stewardship by encouraging responsible recreation monitoring visitor use and behavior and reporting violations or safety concerns to staff.
• Assist in the coordination and delivery of onsite and offsite interpretive and educational programs including school field trips guided nature walks and refuge special events including festivals clean-up days and community outreach.
• Support the creation and maintenance of interpretive materials signs displays and social media content to engage and educate visitors.
• Support data collection and entry related to visitor use education programs events and facility usage.
• Identify and support partnerships with local organizations educational institutions and community groups to enhance public engagement.

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 Tuesday - Saturday 8:00am - 4:30pm. 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 and early mornings and/or late evenings. 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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $630/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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible 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 PLC-eligible 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.

Housing: The ACE members will be accommodated in provided agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.

Gear Allowance: The ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots socks pants etc. and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: The 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 interpretive programming effective community engagement skills and volunteer management. Professional development opportunities such as cross training days with other divisions and staff attending online training and in-person workshops are encouraged.

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 self-directed/work alone and be a positive contributing member 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 three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• 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: applicants for this position can hold a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and/or have interest in subject areas such as natural resources biology ecology or a related subject.

• Knowledge of interpretive educational and recreational programs.
• Customer Service experience/skills.
• Ability and willingness to develop and conduct interpretive and educational programs.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a group.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software and other computer programs

• Ability to work in a fast paced/changing environment.

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 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 50 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. When indoors office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered 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 such as venomous snakes. 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 . 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 Claire Barnwell.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications we want to hear from you!ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 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 job-related 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.