Maintenance and Biology Support Member Sherburne NWR

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking one (1) Member to contribute to a variety of refuge maintenance duties wildlife and habitat surveys environmental education programs and habitat management activities under the mentorship of Sherburne NWR Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: May 2026

Estimated End Date: August/September 2026

*a 12-17 week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Sherburne NWR- Zimmerman MN

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is located in Sherburne County in east central Minnesota about 50 miles northwest of the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. The 30700 acre refuge was established in 1965 at the urging of local conservationists and hunters interested in restoring the wildlife values of the St. Francis River Basin which had been altered by a series of drainage ditches and agricultural production. Following that Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge became and remains the largest public land holding in Sherburne County. The refuge is now a wild remnant at the meeting of the western prairies and the northern woods with oak savanna prairie opening forest wetland and riverine habitats.

In addition to work at Sherburne NWR the ACE member may occasionally assist with projects at other FWS sites within the Sherburne NWR Complex. This complex includes Crane Meadows NWR (Little Falls MN) Rice Lake NWR (McGregor MN) and Mille Lacs NWR (Lake Mille Lacs).

For more information about the refuge please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: The member will primarily assist with weed whipping and mowing lawns around refuge infrastructure including buildings upland trails kiosk areas water control structures and roads. Once certified the member is approved to use herbicide to control vegetation on trails parking lots and for invasive species purposes. Other duties include:

• Install repair and replace boundary and trail signs gates trail markers and road signs along hiking trails boardwalks and kiosks. Maintenance includes repairing and replacing missing broken and rotten boards handrails steps roofing etc.
• Maintain and operate Refuge vehicles trailers weed eaters chainsaws brush cutters hand tools lawn mowers agriculture tractors skid steers backhoes and various implements. Vehicle and equipment operation to occur once fully trained.
• Work with Volunteers and other staff to perform maintenance on walking trails boardwalks roads and other refuge facilities.
• As needed assist with a variety of refuge operations and resource management tasks which may include participating in habitat restoration projects invasive species control habitat management efforts and support visitor services and public outreach programs.
• Interact with a variety of FWS programs and explore career opportunities within the USFWS and National Wildlife Refuge System.

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 be carried out Monday-Friday 7:00am-4:30pm Central Time averaging 40 hours per week with every other Friday off. Some evening and weekend hours may be required for assistance with refuge events and outreach opportunities.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $850/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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots 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. Specific training may include refuge orientation safety plans defensive driving UTV boat safety equipment training and pesticide application training.

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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 4 year college degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources biology ecology or a related field.
• Knowledge of trailering or willing to learn.
• Able to walk and stand for long periods. Ensure quality of the data collected. Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff Ability to work independently
• Ability to perform work activities in a clean and respectful manner Willingness to participate in training Comfortable operating boats and UTVs or willing to learn
• Deep interest in ecology and natural resources related work.

Please note that members will need to bring a personal vehicle to the refuge daily. A refuge vehicle will be available for work activities on the refuge.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires: Requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending crouching stooping lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination 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.
• 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 however local travel within the Refuge Complex will be required.

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 applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact Member Manager Mac Utter.

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.