Fisheries Biological Support Members, Puget Sound​/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservati

Fisheries Biological Support Members, Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non‑profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Fisheries Biological Support Members to contribute to fishery resource monitoring projects alongside the Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Staff.

Start Date:

Feb/March 2025

Estimated End Date:
Depends on start date

35‑week commitment required, with potential for 10‑week extension

Location:

Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Complex, Lacey, WA

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continued benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at the Puget Sound/Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex while also supporting our Tribal and military partner’s conservation objectives. The work includes field, laboratory, and hatchery support for a diversity of projects.

Field sampling and hatchery evaluation (bio‑sampling and sample processing) will be primary roles. The member will primarily assist specific biologists, with opportunities to support other projects when the schedule allows to maximize experience diversification.

This role enables professional development and exposure to land‑management agencies and networking with professionals, including gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing various work groups.

• Field biological sampling, including minnow traps, electrofishing, seines, gill nets, snorkel surveys, funnel traps, crab traps, and screw trapping.
• Fish and amphibian identification and data collection (length, weight, scale samples, tag scans, etc.).
• Invasive species monitoring and removals, including European green crabs, bull frogs, and invasive plants.
• Habitat restoration, including physical removal of invasive plants and herbicide treatments.
• Abiotic data collection such as substrate sampling, water salinity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and temperature.
• Hatchery fish spawning, fish transfers, and biosampling.
• Keeping records of all data.
• Laboratory processing and data collection, including coded wire tag extractions from hatchery salmon samples, fish stomach sample identification, and sediment sample analysis.
• Supporting upkeep of sampling instrumentation used for core position functions.
• Relay daily mission, technical skills and safety concerns to other crew members as assigned.
• Maintain personal contacts with agency employees and immediate organizations; contact public, contractors, or special users as needed.
• Obtain, clarify, or exchange information and receive instructions regarding service assignments.

Duties are tentatively carried out between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm Pacific, Monday‑Friday, 5 days/week (5/8s). Work hours will likely vary due to a dynamic schedule that depends on project, site location, and season. Bi‑weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, possibly including work outside normal hours, early field work departures (6:00 am) and/or late returns (6:00 pm) depending on the season and field project.

Time off may be granted upon approval by ACE and FWS.

• Living Allowance: $700 per week, dispersed bi‑weekly.
• Ameri Corps Education Award Program:
  Eligible for a 1200‑hour Ameri Corps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2024/25 program, valued up to $5,176.50 upon successful completion.
• Loan Forbearance:
  Eligible for federal loan forbearance – additional enrollment steps required.
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority:
  May be eligible for federal hiring authority upon completion of term and 640 hours of service. Eligibility details on the ACE website.
• Housing:
  Responsibility of the member, not provided by ACE or FWS.
• Gear Reimbursement:
  Up to $200 approved by ACE staff.
• Relocation Allowance:
  Up to $1,000 for eligible relocation expenses.
• Provided Training/Orientation:
  Position‑specific training and…