Visitor and Community Engagement Member, National Key Deer Refuge

Visitor and Community Engagement Member National Key Deer Refuge

Summary

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking 1 member to contribute to visitor and community engagement projects under the mentorship of National Key Deer Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: April 2026 (flexible)

Estimated End Date: January 2027

*a 39 week minimum commitment is required approximately 1560 hours*

Location Details/Description: National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key FL.

The National Key Deer Refuge was established in 1957 to protect and preserve the national interest in Key deer and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys.

The Refuge is located in the Lower Florida Keys a hundred mile stretch of islands that extends south and west from south Florida. Habitats in the refuge consist of pine rockland forests tropical hardwood hammocks freshwater wetlands salt marsh wetlands and mangrove forests. National Key Deer Refuge is home to more than 20 endangered and threatened plant and animal species.

The endangered Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer that are found throughout much of North America. Key deer are unique to the lower Florida Keys they are found nowhere else in the world.

For more information about the National Key Deer 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 National Key Deer Refuge.

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

• Assisting in planning organizing and conducting special events on and offsite such as beach clean ups trail maintenance workdays and volunteer appreciation events.

• Conducting outreach at local events to promote the refuge.

• Staffing the Visitor Center including greeting and providing information to visitors as needed.

• Developing content for the refuge Facebook account.

• Working on special interpretive projects (e.g. brochure updates news articles exhibits interpretive sign design.)

• Supporting Florida Keys Wildlife Society Nature Store. (e.g. opening and closing the store running the register as needed.)

• Supporting staff with Key Deer Research and Response Program activities such as:

• Population surveys and movement tracking.

• Collection of biological samples and accurate data recording.

• Coordination of volunteer response efforts for injured distressed or dead Key deer including carcass pickup and removal.

• Conducting outreach to educate visitors and the community about Key deer and the refuges role in the Response Program.

• Other duties may include:

• Cleaning/maintenance of the Nature Center exhibits grounds and vehicles.

• Assisting with administrative duties in the office such as answering phones filing organizing documents etc.

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 Tuesday-Saturday. 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 $700/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: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have up to $400 to be used for eligible relocation expenses to be split at the beginning and end of the term. Eligible relocation expenses for this position include mileage hotels meals etc. and must have a receipt for reimbursement. Additional expenses must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. 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 boots socks outerwear sunglasses work pants 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.

Position-specific training may entail:

• Nature Center operations
• Nature Store operations and point of sale training
• Key Deer Research and Response Program operations
• Use of standard equipment (e.g. pickup hand tools office equipment)

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.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Time and workload management skills including the ability to assess and implement task priorities given program priorities and time-frames.

• Ability to communicate well with visitors and staff both orally and in writing

• Time management and problem solving skills

• Ability to walk in extreme temperatures for long distances carry equipment (30 lbs) tolerant of biting insects and aware of nearby poisonous plants

• Skills in using Microsoft Word Excel R and Access

• Schedule flexibility (8 to 12 hours daily) including occasional evening shifts

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in natural resources biology ecology entomology or a related subject and/or have relevant experience in similar subject areas.

• experience working in customer service or eco tourism positions

• Public speaking and group management skills

• Experience in leading programs/tours and working with the public is desired

• Knowledgeable in natural history biology bird identification et or a willingness to learn

• Experience and/or knowledge of the mission of the USFWS National Wildlife Refuge System and other federal land management agencies

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.
• 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 35 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. During inclement weather interns will conduct office tasks (e.g. data entry) in indoor office conditions.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position will 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. 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 Johannah McCollum.

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 enrolled in a program 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.