Biological Support Member; Shorebirds

Summary American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Biological Support Member to contribute to the biology program under the mentorship of Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: February 2, 2025

Estimated End Date: December 11, 2026

* 45 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility*

Location Details/

Description:

Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge Complex;
Chatham, MA

The refuge provides important resting, nesting and feeding habitat for migratory birds, including the federally protected piping plover, roseate tern, and red knot. At least 25 species of seabird, shorebird, waterfowl, and colonial waterbird nest on three offshore islands. The refuge also supports the largest nesting colony of common terns on the Atlantic seaboard, exceeding 19,000 pairs. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge's mission is to protect the habitats critical to migratory birds, spawning horseshoe crabs, and other wildlife while affording the public an opportunity to experience this unique wilderness refuge.

For more information about Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to management and monitoring of mammalian and avian predators (coyotes, rats, herons, etc.) that are impacting high priority nesting birds at Monomoy NWR. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff to:

• During the non-field season months (generally November - March):
  • spend 50% of time entering and summarizing data related to predator impacts from previous years.
  • spend 50% of time developing prioritization and management strategies for the upcoming years, including compiling research, expert opinions, etc.
• During the field season months (generally March - October, but rat work may occur year round)
  • spend 40% of time monitoring predator impacts to high priority bird species
  • spend 40% of time conducting predator management trials, with a likely emphasis on rats
  • spend 20% of time assisting with other high priority biological projects including posting areas closed to the public, wading bird surveys, seal surveys, invasive species mapping and control, interacting with the public, entering data, maintaining facilities, and conducting routine office work.
• This position requires living on a remote island, in either a lighthouse keepers house (electricity and running water may be available) or a field camp (no electricity or running water) from April - September.

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 primarily be carried out between the hours of 6:00am and 6:00pm, typically 5 days/week (5-8s). Bi-weekly totals typically will not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule is required, which will involve work performed outside of normal work hours including early mornings, late evenings, weekends and/or holidays. 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 approximately 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 at usaconservation dot org.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes work boots, rain gear, backpack, 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 a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the…