Biology Support Members - West Tennessee 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 (2) Biology Support Members to contribute to biological projects under the mentorship of West Tennessee National Wildlife Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our .

Start Date: October 2025 and January 2026

Estimated End Date: October 2026 and January 2027

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

Location Details/Description: West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex TN

The West TN Refuges Complex consists of five national wildlife refuges (Reelfoot Lake Isom Chickasaw Lower

Hatchie and Hatchie) located in western Tennessee in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway along the Mississippi

Hatchhie Rivers. These refuges extend from Fulton County Kentucky to Shelby County TN stretching over 100

miles

from the most northern refuge (Reelfoot) to Lower Hatchie Refuge located on the southern end of the Complex.

For more information about the West TN Wildlife Refuge Complex please visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service 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 West Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Members will support a diversity of staff members including station wildlife refuge managers biologists foresters public use specialists maintenance and administrative staff who are involved in all aspects of operation and management of a number of wildlife refuges in western TN. Specific duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Members will support Refuge Biologist/Forester in all aspects of forest management ranging from timber surveys timber marking development of forest management prescriptions and predator control.
• Members will assist refuge managers in habitat management activities including management of moist soil units agricultural management and water management activities.
• Members will support maintenance staff in rehabilitation of refuge infrastructure including roads levees offices and maintenance facilities.
• Members will support public use staff in special events on and off-site programs Interpretation and Education programs including consumptive and non-consumptive public use activities.

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. 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. 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 $1000/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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) 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 housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots work pants socks 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 ATV Agricultural/Heavy Equipment Defensive Driving Explosives Banding Firearms Safety and Timber Surveys/Census Training.

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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website at usa .

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor of Sciences degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as forest management habitat management wildlife biology waterfowl management.
• Knowledge of wildlife biology forest management moist soil management and agricultural management.
• Ability and willingness to work in a field environment with insects pests mosquitoes and snakes.
• Deep interest in wildlife management.

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 75 lbs.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. 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 does not require unique 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 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 . 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 Mac Utter.

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.