Wildlife Refuge Support Members - Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary
American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking TWO Wildlife Refuge Support Members to support a variety of Refuge projects under the mentorship of Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff. During this term the ACE members will provide support of refuge wildlife biology programs particularly recovery of the endangered dusky gopher frog (DGF) and the Mississippi sandhill crane. Additionally members will support our visitor services program which can include environmental education & outreach as well as trail/landscape maintenance. For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: September 14 2025

Estimated End Date: September 12 2026

*a 52-week minimum commitment is required approximately 2080 hours*

Location Details/Description: Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge Gautier MS & The Gulf Coast National Wildlife Refuge Complex

This Refuge is located in Jackson County in extreme southeast Mississippi less than 10 miles from the Gulf Coast. It is part of the Gulf Coast Refuge Complex which includes Grand Bay and Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuges located on the coasts of Mississippi and Alabama.

The Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1975 to protect and preserve the Mississippi sandhill crane and its critical wet pine savanna habitat. The refuge consists of approximately 19300 acres in three main units that include savanna coastal prairie cypress swamp strands pine flatwoods and brackish marsh. The refuge is the only home of this endangered non-migratory subspecies of sandhill crane (crane) and provides valuable habitat for the endangered dusky gopher frog (DGF) and several declining grassland birds like the Henslows sparrow yellow rail sedge wren and numerous species of unique and rare plants.

While the Refuge Support Member will be stationed at Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR the position will support the Gulf Coast Complex that also includes Bon Secour and Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuges.

Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge is located in Gulf Shores AL and contains 7000 acres of wildlife habitat for migratory birds nesting sea turtles and the endangered Alabama beach mouse. The refuge was established by Congress in 1980 to preserve the coastal dune ecosystem to protect threatened and endangered species to provide compatible recreational opportunities and to serve as a living laboratory for students and scientists.

Grand Bay National Wildlife Refuge is located in coastal Mississippi and Alabama. The refuge was established in 1992 to help protect one of the largest remaining expanses of Gulf Coast wet pine savanna habitat. With only 3% of wet pine savanna remaining across its original range it is considered an endangered habitat. For more information about the Gulf Coast Refuge Complex please visit the USFWS 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 Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge via the Members contributions in this role:

Primary Duties:

• Participate in habitat management and monitoring including invasive plant control and mapping mechanical treatment of woody vegetation and vegetation surveys
• Support the biological program by surveying monitoring and handling various wildlife species including endangered MS sandhill cranes and dusky gopher frogs (DGF)
• Conduct visual monitoring blind surveys camera traps and nest surveys of cranes and prepare crane acclimation pens and blinds
• Monitor DGF using drift fence & remote cameras. Conduct egg mass observations use automated audio recorders and monitor hydroperiod temperature & pH of DGF release ponds
• Maintain accurate and detailed field records and enter data promptly and accurately
• Assist with Visitor Center operations and environmental education and outreach.
• Assist with managing the Refuge social media account under the supervision of the Wildlife Refuge Specialist.
• Work with volunteers on a regular basis
• Assist with Refuge maintenance such as mowing and landscaping trail clearing and repair or replacement of gates and signs.
• Effectively communicate with supervisors project leads and other refuge staff

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 7:00 am to 3:30 pm with a half hour lunch. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including early mornings or late evenings on 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 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 bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for an 1700-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2025/26 grant year program valued up to $7395 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 1700hrs.

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 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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.Housing will be at the Refuge owned Bunkhouse less than 200 yards from headquarters (HQ). The Bunkhouse is air-conditioned has five bedrooms two bathrooms a full kitchen laundry facilities and a TV. All members are expected to assist with the upkeep of the bunkhouse building and grounds for the duration of their term. A Refuge vehicle for refuge activities is provided. A personal vehicle is required for travel in the area. The towns of Gautier and Ocean Springs are a 7 to 15 minute drive.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $600 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 boots hats sun protection 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 4WD truck operation FWS ATV/UTV operation handling and banding cranes and tagging dusky gopher frogs (DGF).

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21 to drive due to ACEs insurance and liability requirements.
• 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.
• 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 ACE website.
• A personal vehicle for transportation
• Knowledge of natural sciences
• Writing skills with an understanding of basic grammar punctuation and spelling
• Attention to detail and flexibility.
• Ability to effectively communicate with supervisor and coworkers
• Ability to work in very hot humid and buggy conditions
• Ability to work in physically demanding conditions involving walking over uneven terrain wading through water sitting in small blinds for large periods capturing and handling large birds amphibians and reptiles
• Willing to work varying hours including before sunrise or at night
• Ability to record accurate field data
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office software
• Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a Bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources conservation biology etc.
• Experience conducting biological surveys and wildlife monitoring surveys
• Experience capturing and handling animals
• Experience working with herptiles and large birds
• Experience conducting invasive plant management
• Basic GPS and GIS skills

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent walking hiking carrying using hands to handle or feel reaching with hands and arms talking and hearing manual dexterity for use of various tools. 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 20 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• 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 member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self fellow staff/members or resources. Field work may be in very hot humid and variable weather conditions smoke biting and stinging insects ticks thorny and poisonous plants and venomous snakes. Contact with herbicide may occur if treating invasive plant species.

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. 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 contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager Shannon Borowy.

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.