Biology Support Member – Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Biology Support Member Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Summary:

American Conservation Experience (ACE) a non-profit conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking one (1) Biology Support Member to assist with a variety of biological projects under the mentorship of Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: May 26 2026

End Date: September 26 2026 (Start and end dates are flexible /- 2 weeks based on candidate availability)

*an 18-week commitment is required

Location Details/Description: Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge Williamstown West Virginia

Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of 567 refuges nationwide and a component of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Ohio River Islands NWR is committed to the preservation conservation and enhancement of a quality river environment for the people of the Ohio River Valley. The Ohio River Islands NWR is comprised of 24 islands and 4 mainland properties. The islands are spread across 362 river miles from Pennsylvania to Kentucky. Top priorities for the refuge include riparian forest restoration on the islands and protecting and enhancing freshwater mussel populations in the Ohio River around our islands.

For more information about Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge 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 Ohio River Islands NWR.

The selected individual will work alongside refuge staff on a number of projects. During the busy summer months extra help is needed to support biological programs and provide occasional support for maintenance and visitor services operations. Most active refuge habitat improvement projects occur during this time as well.

Primary Duties include:

• Assisting the station Wildlife Biologist with collecting biological data and analyzing and preserving that data.
• Conducting inventory and monitoring surveys including acoustic bat surveys freshwater mussel surveys bank swallow nest surveys native bee surveys invasive plant GIS mapping and much more.
• Organizing and preserving historic data.
• Writing summary reports for work conducted.
• Assisting with habitat improvement projects such as tree planting and both mechanical and chemical invasive plant control.
• Other duties will include but are not limited to: trail construction and maintenance providing or assisting with environmental education programs mowing planting and more.

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.

Work Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday typically 8:00 - 4:30. 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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $585/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 675-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2025/26 grant year program valued up to $2817.14 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 675 hours. Please note AmeriCorps position eligibility is not guaranteed and may not be available for all positions.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots pants outerwear 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.

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). Members must be 21 to drive due to ACEs insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history check.
• 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 or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Holding or pursuing a minimum of a 2-year college degree and experience in natural resources biology ecology wildlife management or a related subject preferred.
• Some experience with or a high interest in learning about collecting biological data and conducting surveys and monitoring
• Some experience with invasive plant mapping and removal (mechanical or chemical)
• GIS and data management skills
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects heat humidity rain
• Experience with or high interest in learning to perform other conservation duties like trail construction/maintenance environmental education etc

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.
• 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: 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 does not require unique 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 the online application page for this position on the usaconservation website. Early consideration will be given as resumes 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 Cait Dunne.

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.