Refuge Support Member Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Refuge Support Member - Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complex

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking two Refuge Support Members to support various activities under the mentorship of Central Washington NWRC Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: February 2026 April 2026

Estimated End Date: July 2026 October 2026

*a 25 week minimum commitment is required approximately 1000 hours*

Location Details/Description: Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complex: Columbia National Wildlife Refuge with a secondary work on Hanford Reach National Monument

The Central Washington NWR Complex provides management and support for three national wildlife refuges and one national monument . Our refuges stretch from the picture-postcard Conboy Lake National Wildlife Refuge with Mt. Adams towering in the background to the teeming waterfowl of Toppenish. And covering 4 times as much acreage as the rest combined the Fish & Wildlife Services first national monument Hanford Reach with its majestic elk rich history and towering white bluffs.

For more information about Central Washington NWRC 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 Central Washington NWRC.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

• Contribute to Refuges habitat and invasive species management program (70%)
• Assist with surveying and treatment (mechanical and chemical) of invasive species.
• Provide a summary of pesticide application that can be used for the annual pesticide usage report.
• Document each management action area on each station using Field Maps for ArcGIS and provide data needed for the Refuge Annual Performance Plan (RAPP) report.
• Assist with repair and removal of barbed-wire or electric fence.
• Assist with managing water movement and monitoring wetlands for proper water levels and depth.
• Provide support to the Refuges visitor services program (10%)
• Repair refuge signs.
• Conduct trail maintenance activities on the refuge.
• Assist with environmental or interpretive programs at the complex
• Assist with the Refuges biological and wildlife management programs (20%)
• Assist in conducting surveys which may include Washington and Townsends Ground Squirrels Western Burrowing Owls Northern Leopard Frogs and other wildlife and habitat surveys associated with Shrub-steppe.
• Assist with seed collection of native species

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:The schedule will be Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m PT. Depending on the work tasks this schedule may be adjust to meet the goals/objectives for invasive species treatment or wildlife/habitat surveys such as earlier mornings to accommodate active periods or to avoid warmer/windier conditions that would be outside of our best management practices. No more than 40 hours a week will be worked.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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 website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at Columbia NWR 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 sun protection or other gear appropriate for a field position 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/UTV training heavy equipment training saw training (S212) and pesticide applicator licensing.

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 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 minimum of a bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biology chemistry statistics entomology animal husbandry botany physics agriculture or mathematics.
• At least one full year of specialized experience to include activities such as basic and applied habitat surveying and restoration techniques of shrub-steppe for the benefit of various species; experience in the practices/techniques and terminology related to wildlife management and habitats; surveying and monitoring a variety of species; knowledge and experience working with laws and regulations as well as policies pertaining to invasive species and their treatments; using computer technology to maintain and retrieve information from automated data systems and statistical software programs in order to develop reports; working with others in a natural resource environment.
• Knowledge of vegetation management especially in the documentation control and monitoring of invasive plant species.
• Deep interest in field work for conservation

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 30 lbs. ability to move up to 50 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 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: 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 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 Nich Jackosky.

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.