Habitat Restoration Fellow Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

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 habitat restoration invasive plant management and biological survey projects under the mentorship of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: March 16 2026

Estimated End Date: September 26 2026

*a 28-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Roswell New Mexico

Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains in southeast New Mexico Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in 1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds the 24563-acre refuge plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the southwestern desert. The unusually diverse wetlands combined with its gypsum karst topography support a variety of plant and animal communities that thrive on the refuge. The native grasslands vegetated sand dunes brushy bottomlands and red-rimmed plateaus provide a sharp contrast to the wetlands of Bitter Lake. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis in the desert.

For more information about Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: This position will help FWS realize that mission at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

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

• Vegetation management (75%)
  • Conduct habitat restoration projects such as planting native vegetation
  • Conduct invasive species management by mechanically removing invasive vegetation with hand tools or chainsaws
  • Apply chemical herbicide using various methods including handheld sprayers backpack sprayers and ATV/UTV sprayers
  • Operate 4WD vehicles ATVs/UTVs and other heavy equipment (tractor backhoe and skid steer)
• Biological surveys and land management duties (25%)
  • Assist in biological surveys
    • Water bird surveys
    • Threatened and endangered species surveys
    • Fish surveys
  • Assist staff in monitoring wetland water levels by managing water flows and levels

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 typically be carried out between 6 AM and 4 PM Mountain Standard Time with 9 hour days Monday - Thursday and an 8 hour day one Friday of a pay period with the other Friday off typically 4 or 5 days/week. Work hours may vary seasonally. 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 $600/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.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to $600 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes work boots work pants outerwear hat 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 Defensive Driver UTV/ATV Pesticide Application Heavy Machinery: Tier 1 Tractors Backhoe Skidsteer and Chainsaws.

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 located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelors degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biology natural resource management ecology botany or another related subject area.
• Knowledge of/experience in plant identification habitat restoration and/or invasive species management.
• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
• Basic knowledge of hand and power tools or heavy equipment experience.
• Ability to embrace travel opportunities as they arise to other nearby Refuges.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Entails hiking in rugged terrain stooping kneeling crouching carrying heavy fencing materials and tool and computer use.
• Vision Requirements: The ability to count animals through binoculars or a scope
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 35 lbs. ability to move up to 75 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 heavy equipment gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position does not require 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 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 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.