CCNM Invasive Species Individual Placement-AmeriCorps

Invasive Species Specialist Individual Placement – Ameri Corps (2 openings)

Conservation Corps New Mexico

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
601 FM 1011
Liberty, Texas, 77575

• Start Date:
  
  1/25/27
• End Date: 7/23/27
• Americ Corps Slot Classification: 900 Hours
• Number of Weeks: 26

First review of applications will take place by 10/6/26. Position open until filled; candidates can check Individual Placement Positions | Conservation Corps New Mexico to see if the position is still open.

Ameri Corps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. Ameri Corps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, and protect clean air and water among other environmental efforts.

As part of Conservation Legacy and an Ameri Corps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across New Mexico and western Texas/Oklahoma that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation.

The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.

These Individual Placements are unique development Ameri Corps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands‑on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; introduce participants to numerous pathways within the conservation field; create meaningful learning opportunities; and provide technical, hands‑on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

was established in 1994 for the protection of the emergent wetlands and their species. The refuge contains 30,000 acres of bottom land hardwood forest habitat and staff manage forests, lakes and all the plant and animal species within the refuge.

The selected candidates will assist staff with invasive species control on Hirsch tract, McGuire Tract, and Luce Bayou Tract. Selected candidates will also assist with wildlife surveys. These areas are habitats for alligators, alligator snapping turtles (protected species), alligator gar fish, nesting colonial waterbirds, neotropical migrant birds, and numerous other reptiles and amphibians. Participants will support staff with surveying, monitoring, and treating patches of four invasive plant species
- Giant salvinia, water hyacinth, alligator weed, and trifoliate orange. These plants tend to take over and suffocate waterways. In addition, participants will help staff with mapping and collecting samples from invasive tawny crazy ants, which are threatening the biodiversity of the ecosystem. Participants can assist staff with wildlife surveys of forest birds, bats, and colonial waterbirds as well as hiking/boat trail management.

This project is a great opportunity to learn various aspects of a refuge biologist’s field work including biological issues, trail management, environmental education, and outdoor recreation planning.

• Survey and treat for invasive trifoliate orange plants on Hirsch, Luce Bayou, and McGuire Tracts.
  • Hike and use a UTV to search for pockets of invasive plants.
  • Conduct control activities of…