Refuge Support Member, Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE) a non-profit conservation corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking One Refuge Support Member to contribute to refuge management under the mentorship of Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit .

Start Date: April 2026

Estimated End Date: April 2027

*52 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility*

Location Details/Description:

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge - Bombay Hook was established in 1937 as a link in the chain of refuges extending from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It is primarily a refuge and breeding ground for migrating birds and other wildlife. The value and importance of Bombay Hook for migratory bird protection and conservation has increased through the years primarily due to the management of the refuge and the loss of high quality habitat along the Atlantic Flyway.

Bombay Hook is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Portions are also designated a research natural area . The refuge a nationally recognized birding spot attracting birders from across the country is designated a Globally Important Bird Area. The Refuge as well as the entire State of Delaware is part of the New England/Mid Atlantic Coast Bird Conservation Region Implementation Plan (BCR 30).

Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge -The refuge was established in 1963 under the authority of the Migratory Bird Conservation Act for use as an inviolate sanctuary or any other management purpose for migratory birds.

Situated along the marshes of the western Delaware Bay Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge protects more than 10000 acres of valuable habitat for wildlife of all kinds. Roughly 80% of the refuge is a mix of fresh and saltwater wetlands stretching from Slaughter Beach in the north to the Broadkill River in the south.

For more information about the Coastal Delaware National Wildlife Complex please visit the FWS websites.

Bombay Hook NWR is located at: 2591 Whitehall Neck Road SmyrnaDE19977

Prime Hook NWR is located at: 12322 Turkle Pond Rd Milton DE 19968

Position Overview: During this term the ACE member will assist with refuge management activities by supporting the maintenance visitor services and biology programs. The primary tasks associated with this member will be visitor services related. The member will engage with refuge staff to support refuge station priorities including community outreach volunteer coordination invasive species management improve visitor experiences through vegetation management around headquarters trails and observation decks/platforms. The member will work with refuge staff and friends groups to offer and promote environmental education programs events and outreach materials to the general public.

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

• Completing assigned tasks related to information and data collection acquisition entry organization and management

• Support the nesting shorebird program by performing monitoring habitat data collection predator monitoring and maintaining equipment.

• Maintaining areas around the visitor centers/contact stations trails observation platforms/decks using hand tools mowers and weedwhackers.

• Promote and maintain pollinator habitat by maintaining established pollinator gardens & work with volunteers to plant and maintain native plant gardens.

• Conducting invasive species management and monitoring including physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws).

• Conducting outreach designing visitor programs and engaging with the public.

• Assisting with maintenance tasks including trail maintenance maintenance of visitor facilities replace signs and other duties as assigned.

• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys refuge outreach events and other refuge duties as assigned.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote 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 Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm. The ACE Member is expected to work 50% at Bombay Hook NWR and 50% at Prime Hook NWR. The refuges are approximately 45 minutes apart. Weekends may be required to accomplish work tasks. 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 $650/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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: No housing is provided and it is the responsibility of the member.

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.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots socks pants etc. and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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 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.

• To learn more about eligibility requirements please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 2-year or 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 with hand tools
• Familiarity with GPS and iPads
• Ensure quality of the data collected
• Drive a vehicle and navigate to new destinations
• Ability to identify shorebirds and willingness to learn
• Ability to identify plants and distinguish invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff
• Ability to work independently
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects heat humidity rain
• Willingness to participate in training
• Willingness to work on office tasks including report development use of AGOL and arcgis pro filing and other tasks as needed

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 and camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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 50 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly outdoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. When indoors office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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 swamp or wetland conditions biting insects and potentially dangerous wildlife such as venomous snakes. 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 . 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 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.