Invasive Species and Biological Aid Member Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary
American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking TWO Invasive Species/Biological Aid Members to contribute to the mapping and management of invasive plant species as well as other biological projects under the mentorship of Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: May 11 or May 18 2026

Estimated End Date: August 21 or August 28 2026 (15 weeks after the anticipated start date)

*a 15-week minimum commitment is required* (13 weeks may be considered)

Location Details/Description: Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex- Baring ME

The Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex (NWRC) consists of four National Wildlife Refuges: Moosehorn NWR Aroostook NWR Sunkhaze Meadows NWR and the Carlton Pond Waterfowl Production Area.

Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to protect migratory birds and contains over 4500 acres of wetlands including 28 functional impoundments or flowages that provide habitat for nesting and migrating waterfowl and marsh birds. The refuge has 18 miles of rocky shoreline along Dennys and Whiting Bays and 7 miles of shoreline on Meddybemps Lake. These small bays are part of the larger Cobscook Bay that supports the highest density of nesting bald eagles in the northeastern U.S. and has been essential to the recovery of the bald eagle in the east. The bay also provides critical migration and wintering habitat for the American black duck. There are two designated Wilderness areas on the Refuge. Moosehorn Wilderness was established in 1970 and now comprises more than 2700 acres. The Baring Unit Wilderness was established in 1975 and now spans more than 4600 acres.

Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1998 when 4700 acres was transferred from the US Air Force to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge now consists of 5252 acres in four divisions located in the towns of Caribou Caswell Connor and Limestone. The refuge is also responsible for 1464 acres of Farmers Home Administration Conservation Easements located throughout Aroostook County.

Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge was established administratively in 1988 to ensure the ecological integrity of the Sunkhaze Meadows Unit peat bog and to conserve wetland stream and forest habitats and associated wildlife. The Sunkhaze Meadows NWR also includes two smaller units Benton and Sandy Stream and four conservation easements scattered throughout central Maine.

The 1068-acre Carlton Pond Waterfowl Protection Area includes most of Carlton Pond the surrounding freshwater wetlands and several small areas of forested lowlands and uplands. More than 84 percent of the site is open water or shallow freshwater marsh. Rare black terns nest in the emergent marsh while bald eagles bitterns and marsh wrens forage amid the shallow open waters and emergent pickerelweed and wild rice.

For more information about the Northern Maine National Wildlife Refuge Complex 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 further that mission at Northern Maine NWRC. Members will primarily assist with mapping and management of invasive plants. Members may travel to nearby refuges to assist with opportunities. Members will also have the opportunity to participate in other activities on the refuge.

Primary Duties include:

• GIS mapping of invasive plant infestations and treatment of those infestations.

• Searching for new infestations (Early Detection Rapid Response) - methods may vary by refuge.
• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws).
• Application of General Use Pesticides using hand backpack or ATV-mounted sprayer.
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys refuge outreach programs or events.
• Summarize data from invasive plant surveys and assist refuge biologists with writing reports.
• Conduct habitat and wildlife monitoring surveys including acoustic monitoring of bats and songbirds
• Conduct secretive marsh bird call back surveys.
• Assist with study of migrating river herring including tagging of fish and tracking movements.
• Monitor saltmarsh habitat; read surface elevation tables.
• Assist with forest inventory and marking trees.

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 8 hours a day Monday-Friday typically 7:30 - 4:00 with a half hour lunch break. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible schedule will be required which involves duties performed outside of normal hours including some early mornings and late evenings and weekends to adjust for weather impacts. 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 $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

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.

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 USFWS training may include herbicide application and/or Defensive Driver Safety Training.

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.
• Members 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:

• Holding or pursuing a minimum of a 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 by hand or with hand tools.
• Familiarity with GPS and iPads.
• Ensure quality of the data collected.
• Ability to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle and navigate to new destinations.
• Willingness to apply General Use Pesticides with use of appropriate safety equipment and training in the safe handling of General Use Pesticides.
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn.
• Ability to perform duties in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff.
• Ability to perform duties independently.
• Willingness to perform duties in field conditions which will include insects heat humidity rain.
• Willingness to participate in training in the mapping as well as pesticide use and safety.

Physical Demands Work Environment and 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 25 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. Hearing protection will be provided as needed.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel. Some overnight trips to the Aroostook NWR will be available.

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 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 Shannon Borowy.

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.