Bullfrog Removal Team Leader- Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Bullfrog Removal Team Leader- Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Summary: American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking one Bullfrog Removal Team Leader for 2026 to contribute to an invasive bullfrog removal project alongside Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: Early February 2026

End Date: October 2026

**38-week commitment required

Location: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge- Black River Unit Olympia WA

The Black River Unit was established in 1996 and is managed as part of Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. It encompasses a large mosaic of wetland and riparian habitats and surrounding uplands along the Black River. The purpose of the Unit is to protect biological diversity enhance and manage unique wetland and riparian ecosystems for the benefit of anadromous salmonid production and rearing migratory and resident waterfowl migratory neotropical birds wading birds and other wetland-dependent wildlife.

The Black River is a tributary of the Chehalis River the second largest watershed in Washington. The Units wetland habitats make up one of the largest relatively undisturbed freshwater wetland systems remaining in all of Puget Sound. The rivers diverse habitats include prairie oak woodlands sphagnum bogs wet prairies alder bottoms and wetland conifer forests. The Unit contains spawning and rearing habitat and migration corridors for native trout and salmon. At least 150 species of migratory birds including waterfowl and neotropical songbirds use the wetland and riparian habitats. It is also one of only a few places where the Oregon spotted frog is known to occur in Washington. The Oregon spotted frog is a State listed endangered species and Federally Threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

For more information about Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge iplease visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to work with others to conserve protect and enhance fish wildlife plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position supports that mission at Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge by contributing to Oregon spotted frog (Federally Threatened) conservation early in the season and leading nighttime bullfrog removal efforts later in the term.

From February through March the Team Leader will work daytime hours alongside refuge biologists conducting Oregon spotted frog (OSF) surveys habitat assessments and early-season April the focus continues on OSF monitoring and habitat evaluation across key wetland May responsibilities begin transitioning toward preparation for the bullfrog season including organizing and maintaining gear preparing canoes/kayaks checking access along the Black River and staging equipment.

Nighttime bullfrog removal operations begin in June during which the Team Leader will lead the two-person crew conducting nocturnal surveys and removals by canoe and on foot in areas where federally listed Oregon spotted frogs occur. The member will work closely with a Bureau of Indian Affairs WaterCorps member and will complete all required training for safe and effective field operations. Throughout the season the member will also contribute to habitat mapping data management and additional invasive species monitoring as needed.

This individual placement is designed to facilitate professional development providing exposure to refuge operations experience in multiple conservation disciplines and opportunities to collaborate and network with land-management professionals.

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

• Assist refuge biologists with Oregon spotted frog surveys habitat assessments and early-season monitoring.
• Conduct daytime habitat assessments and mapping of OSF and bullfrog areas.
• Prepare for bullfrog season by organizing gear maintaining canoes/kayaks checking access points and staging equipment.
• Assist with invasive species projects including European green crab New Zealand mud snail and yellow flag iris.
• Lead a two-person crew in nighttime bullfrog removal operations.
• Operate canoe/kayak on a 3 km stretch of the Black River to capture bullfrogs using air rifle gigging or hand-netting.
• Walk wetlands in waders to locate and remove bullfrogs and egg masses.
• Humanely euthanize bullfrogs (up to 30 per night) and collect measurements and dietary data.
• Monitor survivorship of federally threatened Oregon spotted frogs and assist with habitat enhancements.
• Deploy maintain and review trail cameras and acoustic recorders for OSF predator monitoring.
• Install and monitor water-level data loggers.
• Organize field forms enter data and assist with monitoring summaries.
• Prepare and deliver a public presentation on project experience.

Schedule:

The position will initially involve daytime work spanning 8 hours each day from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday with potential for some evening shifts. Beginning in June the schedule will transition primarily to overnight shifts also lasting 8 hours each typically between 7 pm and 5 am contingent on sunset times Monday through Friday. Bi-weekly work hours should not exceed 80 hours necessitating a flexible schedule. Occasional daytime work may be required during the summer months. We aim to minimize the shift changes between day and night work with typically the entire week being either daytime or nighttime shifts. Requests for time off should be submitted 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 $720/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: Preference will be given to local applicants. The selectee will be responsible for finding local housing.

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 attendance at a Bullfrog Removal Workshop mid-July (date to be determined Olympia WA). ACE members will also complete the National Safety Councils Defensive Driving course.

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 a minimum of a high school diploma or GED and/or have interest in subject areas such as natural resources biology ecology or a related subject.
• Knowledge of Washington amphibian species.
• Experience paddling canoe and kayak.
• Experience working nights.
• Experience gigging bullfrogs or hand capturing herptiles.
• Experience with air rifles or other firearms.
• Experience using ArcGIS Field Maps or other data collecting apps
• Deep interest in amphibian conservation threatened and endangered species and invasive species control.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: This position requires physical exertion such as hiking long distances over hot wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending crouching stooping lifting or reaching talking and hearing operating canoes and kayaks wading through deep water and walking through 6-foot tall vegetation (grasses and cattails). Manual dexterity required for use of various tools computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment and may involve fine and precise procedures delicate adjustments or exact measurements.

• 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 40 lbs.

• Environmental: Primarily outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.

• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as 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.

Required Experience:

Junior IC