Pollinator and Vegetation Member

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience (ACE) a non-profit conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking ONE Pollinator and Vegetation Member to contribute to the biology program under the mentorship of Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit .

Start Date: May 18 2026

Estimated End Date: September 4 2026

*16 week commitment is required - start date may have 1week flexibility*

Location Details/Description: Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley NY.

For more information about Long Island NWR Complex please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: During this term the ACE member will assist with Pollinator Habitat surveys and management and data management. Members will primarily be working on the Sayville Grasslands a subunit of Wertheim NWR. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in other activities to support biological projects as directed and provide professional development opportunities. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Completing assigned tasks related to information and data collection acquisition entry organization and management
• Conduct Pollinator Habitat Surveys.
• Conduct Pollinator Habitat Management.
• Conducting outreach and engaging with the public.
• Conducting rare and protected plant surveys.
• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws).
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys refuge outreach events and other refuge duties.

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. A flexible work schedule may be required which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. 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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/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 .

Housing: 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.

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.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $100 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.

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 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
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 2-year or 4-year college degree (education or experience in natural resources biology ecology or a related subject preferred)
• Able to walk and stand for long periods
• Able to physically pull or remove invasive plants with hand tools
• Familiarity with GPS and iPads
• Ensure quality of the data collected
• Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
• Ability to identify shorebirds and willingness to learn
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to live communally in a clean and respectful manner
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects heat humidity rain
• Willingness to participate in training
• Willingness to work on office tasks including report development use of AGOL and arcgis pro filing and other tasks as needed

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires 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 under a variety of 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: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor work includes office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise is to be expected such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic or outside such as wildlife and effects from weather.
• 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 . 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.