Invasive Species Member – Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one (1) Invasive Species Member to work alongside Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District Staff, interns, and volunteers during this term. The ACE members will work on meaningful conservation projects in the District.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

May 2026

August 2026

* a 12-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 480 hours*

Detroit Lakes Wetland Management District, Detroit Lakes, MN – The district manages hundreds of federally owned waterfowl production areas in Becker, Clay, Mahnomen, Norman and Polk Counties in northwest Minnesota, as well as Hamden Slough National Wildlife Refuge. The district is divided into three general landscape areas: the Red River Valley floodplain, the glacial moraine/prairie pothole region and the hardwood/coniferous forest.

Land acquisition and management efforts are focused in the prairie pothole region of the district, with a goal of providing habitat for nesting waterfowl. About 6,000 acres of remnant tallgrass prairie have been saved, while thousands of acres of prairie pothole wetlands and tallgrass prairie vegetation have been restored. These habitats are not only critical for waterfowl but are beneficial to other wildlife species as well.

For more information about Detroit Lakes WMD, please visit the FWS website.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plans, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize its mission at Detroit Lakes WMD.

The selected individuals (members) will work alongside FWS staff and others on a number of projects during their term. The duties would focus primarily on invasive plant species inventory and control using strategies such as herbicide, mechanical, biological or cultural. Members will be required to operate off‑road utility vehicles to access refuge tracts. This work will also include mobile data entry and some GIS work.

Other biological responsibilities may include prairie vegetation surveys, migratory bird surveys and potentially other periodic wildlife monitoring activities. In addition to the aforementioned biological work, the member will be given exposure to habitat management, public use/visitor services, and refuge maintenance activities as opportunities arise.

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.

Duties will primarily be carried out Monday – Friday. 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.

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $450/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi‑weekly.
• Ameri Corps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 450‑hour Ameri Corps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2025/26 grant year program, valued up to $1,956.35 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hrs. Please note, Ameri Corps position eligibility is not guaranteed and may not be available for all positions.
• Loan Forbearance: Ameri Corps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.
• Qualifying Child Care Coverage: Ameri Corps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon…