Biology Support Members- Friends of Kauai Wildlife Refuges

Biology Support Members- Friends of Kauai Wildlife Refuges

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the Friends of Kauai Wildlife Refuges and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is seeking 2 Members to contribute to biology projects under the mentorship of Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex (KWRC) Staff.

For more information about ACE please visit our website.

Start Date: June/July 2026

Estimated End Date: April 2027

*a 44-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description:Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex Kilauea HI

The Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service is comprised of Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Hanalei NWR and Hulēʻia NWR. Together the Refuge Complex manages 1357 acres of wildlife habitat.

Established in 1972 Hanalei NWR is the oldest of Kauais three national wildlife refuges. The 922-acre Hanalei Refuge is located in the beautiful Hanalei River Valley ranging from 20 to 40 feet above sea level and surrounded by steep wooded hillsides up to 1000 feet high on Kauais north shore. The 241-acre Hulēia National Wildlife Refuge located near the town of Līhue was established in 1973. Both Refuges were established under the Endangered Species Act to conserve threatened and endangered species including five Hawaiian waterbirds that rely on these refuges for nesting and feeding habitat: the koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) the alae keokeo (Hawaiian coot) the alaeula (Hawaiian moorhen) the aeo (Hawaiian stilt) and the nēnē (Hawaiian goose). Forty-five other species of birds and the endangered ʻōpeʻapeʻa (Hawaiian hoary bat) also utilize refuge habitat at some point throughout the year.

Kīlauea Point NWR is located on the northern-most point of the main Hawaiian Islands on a portion of the former Kīlauea volcanic vent and includes spectacular views from atop a 180-foot ocean bluff. The Refuge is among the best places in the state to view seabirds rarely seen from land like the red-footed booby (ʻā) great frigate bird (ʻiwa) and Laysan albatross (mōlī). The worlds rarest goose and Hawaiis state bird the Hawaiian goose (nēnē) is a frequent sight as well. Native Hawaiian coastal plants are also abundant and the Refuge is home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse. Built in 1913 the lighthouse is part of the Kīlauea Point Light Station listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse played a key role in the first trans-Pacific flight from the West Coast to Hawaii and is one of the last intact 2nd order Fresnel lens lighthouses still standing at the original location. The Kīlauea Point Refuge receives more than 500000 visitors a year and is one of the most visited refuges in the nation.

The Nihokū Ecosystem Restoration Project was implemented at Kīlauea Point NWR with our partners over a decade ago in order to protect both rare coastal ecosystems as well as provide a safe nesting area for native ground-nesting birds in Hawaiʻi including Newells shearwaters (ao) and Hawaiian petrels (uau ). From 2015- 2020 86 Ao and 106 Uau translocated and fledged from the site and several have returned to breed as adults. Since the project inception an additional predator exclusion fence has been constructed to create nearly 160 acres of safe habitat for native ground nesting birds.

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 Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

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.

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

• Assistwith invasive species management:identify controlmapandmonitorinvasive plants pests and species removal to include live trapping.
• Assistwithbiological monitoringand recovery efforts for native and endangered seabird (Laysan albatross Red-tailed tropicbird etc) and waterbird species (Hawaiian coot Hawaiian duck Hawaiian gallinule Hawaiian stilt Hawaiian goose).
• Coordinate closely with refuge staff partner organizations and volunteers in the biology habitat and resource management programs.
• Assist with maintenance of the Kīlauea Point NWR predator exclusion fence: weedwhacking mowing spraying invasive vegetation with herbicide and maintaining physical weed barriers.
• Conduct avian disease monitoring and response including capturing stabilizing and transporting sick or injured native birds to a rehabilitation center.
• Work with community volunteers other interns and partner agencies in restoration of seabird habitat includingoutplantingand maintaining native plants.
• Organize and conductannualChristmas Bird Countand waterbird counts.
• Providebiological updates atstaff meetings and assist with entering/proofing/summarizing data writing reports and making maps in ArcPro.
• Assist the RefugeManagementteam in reviewing and creating documents relating to policy safety protocols operating procedures and assist with records management.
• Occasionallyassistwith facilities and property maintenance including buildings fences dikes water level infrastructure etc.
• Occasionallyassistwithspecial eventsenvironmental education and interpretation.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday(generally from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm). 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 over 8-hour work days and working on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to FWS and ACE for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $750/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 $383/month for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear 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.

Scholarship Funding Opportunity: The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACEs Access and Inclusion Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Qualifications

Required:

• Member 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an AA degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Botany Environmental Sciences Hawaiian Studies Biology.
• Prior experience with data collection apps such as Field Maps Survey 123 and Arc GIS
• Prior experience in relevant field work relating to botany or biology or animal husbandry

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 30 lbs. ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates including hot intense sun humid rainy muddy. Must be willing to traverse rugged terrain and carry field gear for long days exclusively outdoors.
• Travel: This position may include optional travel for professional development however daily job can involve travel between the Refuge locations.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat 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 work duties one will be provided by the FWS. 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 Senior Program Manager Nicholaus Jackosky.

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.