Inventory and Monitoring Biological Specialists, Sacramento Regional Office

Summary

Summary: American Conservation Experience / Emerging Professional Internship Corps a Nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) is seeking two Inventory and Monitoring Biological Specialists to assist in preserving natural resources for future generations by implementing Inventory and Monitoring Programs on National Wildlife Refuges (NWRs) in California Nevada and the Klamath Basin of Oregon. This internship includes inventory and monitoring plan implementation and natural resource monitoring to inform science-based resource management. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career in natural resources management on our public lands. The purpose of the internship is to perform a variety of biological technical and operational duties essential to manage ecosystems protect vulnerable species and provide hunting and recreational opportunity at refuges. These duties that integrate science and data documentation into refuge management decisions cannot be accomplished by existing staff alone. For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: January 2026

Estimated End Date: February 2027

*a 61 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: USFWS Pacific Southwest National Wildlife Refuges.

Positions will be stationed at Kern National Wildlife Refuge (Delano CA) and Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge (Fremont CA) and will include up to 12 weeks of travel. Travel may include short residences (1-4 weeks) at other National Wildlife Refuges within the Pacific Southwest Region. Applicants should state if they are applying to positions at one or both stations.

For more information about the Pacific Southwest please visit the USFWS website.

Position Overview:

40% Inventory and Monitoring Plan Implementation

Biological Specialists will assist the Division of Natural Resources and Conservation Planning and Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) and Refuge staff in implementing refuge I&M Plans. This includes documentation of at least two high-priority survey protocols or habitat management activities in collaboration with refuge staff. Refuge staff need assistance to complete this documentation due to limited technical or operational capacity. The focus will be on essential information for managing wetlands and other refuge ecosystems-data that would not otherwise be available without this additional support. Potential projects may include documentation of water management practices species monitoring or habitat restoration protocols.

Biological Specialist responsibilities include:

• Preparing editing and preserving survey protocols management guides training materials standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other documentation to support consistent and transparent data collection by refuge biologists and technicians.
• Editing and maintaining existing protocol reports to ensure they are usable for future management decisions.
• Following I&M documentation standards and templates to ensure consistency and quality.
• Using knowledge of biological systems databases ArcGIS and R to compile documentation based on review of existing materials field observations and communication with refuge staff and non-refuge partners involved in the surveys.
• Assisting in the implementation of survey protocols and management plans and using observations from the field to develop or refine documentation. These efforts will directly support the collection analysis and documentation of critical natural resource and management data that refuge staff currently lack the capacity to manage on their own.

20% Data Preservation

Biological Specialists will document and archive at least four high-priority natural resource datasets for the refuge. This work ensures that valuable data are preserved and accessible for future use in management and planning.

Tasks include:

• Reviewing existing datasets and assessing data quality.
• Writing and editing metadata to meet USFWS standards.
• Archiving final data products in the USFWS centralized data system ServCat.
• Training and support will be provided by I&M and refuge staff to ensure proper procedures are followed.

40% Refuge Support

Biological Specialists will assist with a variety of refuge operations and resource management tasks that support the mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System. These duties will focus on essential activities that contribute to the preservation of natural resources enhancement of visitor experiences and protection of vulnerable or listed species.

• Duties may include:
• Participating in habitat restoration projects invasive species control (e.g. weed management herbicide application) and other habitat management efforts.
• Supporting visitor services and public outreach programs.
• Assisting with maintenance of refuge facilities and infrastructure.
• Applying knowledge of natural resource monitoring and management techniques species identification public engagement GIS statistical analysis and data management to support refuge goals.

This hands-on work will complement the specialists documentation and data preservation duties providing a well-rounded experience in both field and technical aspects of refuge management.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday-Friday. Specialists may have projects that begin very early and/or go late into the day and may have weekend duties as well. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Time off will be granted including an allowance of paid time.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $1075/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 during their term.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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.

Qualifications

Required:

• US Citizen or Permanent Resident;
• Between the age of 18 and 35;
• A valid drivers license clean driving record and ability to provide such documentation; and over 21 to drive an Agency vehicle;
• A personal vehicle is required for off-duty hours due refuge remoteness according hurricane and tsunami protocol and for personal time off;
• Effective communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences;
• Able and willing to work alone and in a group;
• Able and willing to perform duties outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of participating in sustained physical labor;
• Be in good physical shape (capable of carrying a 50 pound pack for up to 2 miles).
• Ability to operate independently and in remote areas;
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal background check;
• Able to complete agency computer privacy and records management training successfully;
• Have a positive flexible attitude.

Preferred:

• Knowledge of the basic procedure and technical terminology used in the field of conservation wildlife biology plant ecology invasive species management and the inventory and monitoring of natural resources.
• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
• Skills and abilities to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in a field or office setting.
• Knowledge and skills in taking exact measurements performing mathematics some of which may be complicated and keeping detailed and precise records to collect and assemble data.
• Experience and/or knowledge with Microsoft Excel and Access GPS GIS and data collection software and equipment.
• Experience in backcountry hiking and navigation.
• Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional.
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions: Customize from the options below or contact Brenda Yenkole in Human Resources if you have questions

• 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 25 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: This position requires physical exertion such as walking up to 2 miles over wet and rough surfaces bending crouching stooping lifting or reaching and carrying a 50 lb backpack.
• 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. 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: The Refuge will provide a vehicle and the tools required to accomplish the tasks the Biological Specialist is asked to do. Training will be provided for all equipment that the specialist is asked to use. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Heavy equipment (tractors dozers graders backhoes front-end loaders etc.) may not be used by Specialists unless the Official U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service training and certification process is completed. Local training is allowed for small equipment such as lawn mowers weed-eaters ATVs and UTVs. A valid state drivers license is required for any (highway legal) vehicle use.

Biological Specialists will be expected to safely and professionally operate a vehicle on site with a clear and valid license. As outlined by the USFWS protocol Vehicle Use: Participants under the age of 21 shall not be allowed to operate any motorized vehicle. Participants and partner organization staff 21 and older may be allowed to drive a vehicle owned rented leased or loaned by the USFWS only when: 1. The vehicle is used with written permission from the USFWSs field manager and only for official agency use; 2. The driver is properly licensed and qualified to operate the vehicle and all such vehicle use maintenance training and operation is in compliance with 243 FW 1 Safe Operation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Equipment and all other applicable policies for usage of USFWS motor vehicles; 3. The driver has completed a defensive driving course within the last three years; 4. Before field work requiring the use of a motorized vehicle begins the USFWS site coordinator provides written documentation that all of the above criteria have been met to the partner organization contact. Such documentation may be provided electronically; and 5. Both the driver and the vehicle will be covered by insurance policy maintained by the partner organization covering the use of such vehicle.

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 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 Ian McGufficke

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.

Required Experience:

IC