Parrot Biological Support Members Caribbean Ecological Services

Parrot Biological Support Members - Caribbean Ecological Services

Summary:

American Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking 3 Parrot Biological Support Members to contribute to parrot biological support projects under the mentorship of Caribbean Ecological Services FWS Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: May/June 2026

Estimated End Date: November/December 2026

*a 26 week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: El Yunque National Forest Rio Grande PR; and Maricao State Forest Maricao PR

The Caribbean Ecological Services Field Office was established in 1974 as part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services Southeast Region. We have jurisdiction on Federal Trust Species (i.e. at-risk species federally listed species migratory birds and inter-jurisdictional fish) in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI; St. Thomas St. John and St. Croix).

Located in Puerto Ricos Northeast Region El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest within the national forest system. It extends through eight municipalities: Río Grande Luquillo Canóvanas Fajardo Naguabo Ceiba Las Piedras and Juncos. At nearly 29000 acres it is one of the smallest in size yet one of the most biologically diverse.

Maricao State Forest is a state forest located in the western Cordillera Central mountains of Puerto Rico. With an area of 10803 acres (43.72 km2) the Maricao State Forest is the largest of the 20 forestry units of the Puerto Rico state forest system.

2 members will be stationed out of El Yunque National Forest and 1 member will be stationed at the Maricao State Forest.

For more information about the Caribbean Ecological Services 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 Caribbean Ecological Services.

The ACE Members primary task will be to assist the biologists of the Puerto Rican Parrot Recovery Program in the care husbandry and monitoring of the captive and wild populations at El Yunque National Forest and the Maricao State Forest.

Primary duties include:

• Daily care of Puerto Rican parrot including cleaning cages daily feeding and changing & installing perches
• Collection of vegetation and wild fruits for birds in captivity
• Rat baiting stations
• Maintenance of flight cage surroundings and facilities
• Monitor captive and wild parrot population
• Assist veterinarian to conduct proper procedures
• Use of automated database systems to enter organize and perform analysis of collected biological data

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 part-time Monday - Sunday; weekly totals should not exceed 24 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. At El Yunque National Forest members must work during the weekends. 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 24 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $360/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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position may include boots work pants socks outerwear sunglasses socks 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.

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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of IDs upon hiring)
• 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelors degree or relevant experience in wildlife biology ecology conservation education or a related subject.
• Experience managing Puerto Rican Parrot or similar birds.
• Experience monitoring bird populations using optical equipment (binoculars spotting scopes).
• Familiarity with field research techniques.
• Excellent communication skills and demonstrated ability to work independently.
• Ability to work under adverse environmental conditions (heat humidity wind biting insects).
• Ability to walk in uneven terrain and carry field equipment long distances.

Physical Demands Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as kayaking walking long distances for extended periods of time 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.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: The Visitor Services Support Member 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.
• Travel: This position does not require unique 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: 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 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 Cait Dunne.

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.