Land Management Support Member, Modoc National Wildlife Refuge

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking two Land Management Support Members to contribute to invasive plant management projects alongside Modoc NWR Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: April/May 2026

Estimated End Date: 17 weeks later

*a 17-week minimum commitment is required approximately 680 hours some start date flexibility*

Location Details/Description: Modoc National Wildlife Refuge Alturas California

The 7021-acre Modoc NWR is located along the South Fork of the Pit River in Modoc County southeast of the town of Alturas in extreme northeastern California. The refuge is located on the western edge of the Great Basin a high elevation cold desert environment. The refuge consists of wetland wet meadow reservoir riparian sagebrush-steppe and cropland habitats.

The refuge is part of a larger complex of mid-elevation wetlands and lakes of northeastern California and is strategically situated to meet the needs of waterfowl and other migratory birds of the Pacific Flyway. Modoc NWR acts as a migration and staging area for ducks geese and other wetland birds on the southward migration funnel into this region. After feeding and resting on the refuge they continue to the Central and Imperial Valleys of California and other wintering areas. This pattern is reversed in the spring. The refuges wetlands and adjacent uplands are also an important nesting area for ducks geese greater sandhill cranes and other species of marsh birds.

For more information about Modoc National Wildlife Refuge please visit their 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 Modoc NWR as management of invasive species is essential to maintaining quality habitat for a variety of wildlife species that depend on Modoc NWR.

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.

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

• Invasive Plant Management (75%)
• Use mechanical and chemical treatments to treat invasive plants including perennial pepperweed hoary cress poison hemlock Mediterranean sage scotch thistle Canada thistle and others.
• Chemical herbicide application using various methods including handheld sprayers backpack sprayers and ATV/UTV sprayers.
• Tracking and documenting herbicide use.
• Invasive Plant Surveying: Surveying areas for invasive species.
• Operate Field Maps on iPads and use ArcGIS Pro to document plants sprayed and surveyed.
• Contribute to written invasive plant management reports.
• Assist with other biological and land management duties (25%) *As opportunity time and environmental conditions allow*
• Use GIS in the office to produce maps for the field and reports.
• Facilities maintenance (cleaning trails & bathrooms weed whacking/weed eating auto tour pull outs oiling signs etc.)
• Waterbird banding
• Waterbird surveys
• Bird nest box maintenance
• Vegetation monitoring
• Community outreach events

Schedule: Duties will typically be carried out between 7:00am and 3:30pm Pacific Monday - Friday typically 5 days/week (5/8s). Work hours may vary. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. 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 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 (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 FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. The Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is located in remote Northeast California off of Highway 395. It is near the town of Alturas where basic amenities can be accessed.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes outerwear rain gear backpack work boots 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 will include USFWS ATV/UTV training.

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
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved.
• Effective oral and written communication skills with all ages and diverse audiences.
• Ability to speak to the public.
• Ability to operate independently and in remote areas.
• Competent in Microsoft Office.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associates degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources biology ecology wildlife management natural resource management parks and recreation rangeland management or other related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Ability and willingness to apply herbicide treatment for invasive plant control.
• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
• Skills and ability to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in the field or office setting.
• Skill in safely operating motorized vehicles and specialized equipment including: highway vehicles backpack sprayers weed eaters ATVs etc.
• Experience and/or knowledge with GIS equipment.
• Experience and/or knowledge with plant identification.
• 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.
• Ability to embrace travel opportunities as they arise to other nearby Refuges.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as hiking long distances over hot wet and rough terrain while carrying up to 40 lbs. bending crouching stooping lifting reaching talking and hearing. 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. 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. When indoor office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• 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 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. Modoc National Wildlife Refuge is a wetland oasis situated in a high and dry climate on the edge of the Great Basin. Summer temperatures can vary between high 90s to 50s during the summer days. The heat and humidity around California can be intense and hot humid outdoor conditions can be expected.

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 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.

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.