Wildlife Biology Support and Invasive Species Member – Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee 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 Wildlife Biology Support and Invasive Species Member to work alongside Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge staff and partners to help with a project focused on managing native and non-native fauna with an emphasis on large reptiles in Boynton Beach FL.

For more information about ACE please visit our .

Start Date: October 2025

Estimated End Date: January 2026

*a 15-week minimum commitment is required approximately 150 part-time hours*

Location Details/Description: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Boynton Beach Florida.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 145000 acres of Everglades ecosystems including a mosaic of wet prairies sawgrass ridges sloughs tree islands cattail communities and a 400-acre cypress swamp. These lands provide habitat - food water shelter and space - for more than 250 species of birds 60 species of reptiles and amphibians 40 species of butterflies and 20 types of mammals. The refuge also provides habitat and protection for endangered and threatened wildlife such as the American alligator snail kite and wood stork. Migratory birds such as neotropical songbirds secretive marsh birds shorebirds raptors and waterfowl winter at the refuge along with a great variety of year-round resident wading birds and other wildlife.

For more information about Loxahatchee 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 Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Assisting Refuge staff and cooperating partners with the control of invasive and nuisance species. (100%)
• Conducting intensive surveys for Burmese pythons and other invasive reptiles/animals and coordinating with the local invasive species control community.
• Surveying monitoring and removing large non-native reptile species.
• Monitoring activities include spotlight surveys that are conducted at night. Night surveys will be conducted most weeks.
• Data management duties related to the project will also be assigned.

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: This position is part-time with the member expected to work either two 5-hour days or one 10-hour day per week. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 10 hours. Duties will primarily be carried out between Monday and Friday. A flexible work schedule will be required as work may occur on weekends or holidays.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 8-10 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $200/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes hiking boots backpack rain gear work pants jacket 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 large reptile identification and removal native wildlife and plant identification invasive plant identification defensive driving cyber security etc.

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.

• Members must live locally to refuge.

• 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 criminal history checks
• 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Able and willing to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor (ie hot humid and buggy conditions).
• Ability to operate independently and in remote areas and willingness to work varying hours including weekends.
• Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved
• Proficient in English and carries good communication skills.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website on .

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor degree in Environmental Studies Wildlife Biology Forestry Natural Resource Management or other related field of study appropriate to this position
• Experience in biological fieldwork equipment maintenance the use of handheld GPS units and operating ATVs and trucks
• Ability to use computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems develop spreadsheets and use word processing and statistical software programs in order to develop reports
• Familiarity with geographic information system (GIS) aerial photography and survey techniques and global positioning systems (GPS)
• Ability to communicate in writing in order to assist in the preparation of wildlife management survey summaries
• Knowledge of south Florida wildlife and plant species (native and/or non-native)
• Experience accurately managing associated data and working with the public

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 stairsand/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain and camp overnight under field conditions. Required to drive and/or walk on levees and in other remote areas at night while conducting surveys.
• 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 40 pounds.
• 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. South Florida has average temperatures in the 80s-90s during the summer months with rainfall almost daily. This individual placement will require much time outdoors in hot

humid and buggy conditions. Field work is often done in remote areas including wetlands. This project will largely

focus on surveys for large non-native reptiles (e.g. pythons and Nile monitors) and native prey species (small

mammals native reptiles etc.).

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.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - 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 with ACE is based upon ability qualifications attitude and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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 creed sex gender national origin pregnancy ancestry citizenship status genetic information (including of a family member) veteran or military status age physical or mental disability sexual orientation gender identity or expression 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.