Refuge Management and Biology Member

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking One Refuge Management and Biology Support Member to contribute to refuge management under the mentorship of Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit usaconservation.org.

Start Date:

April 2026

Estimated End Date:
November 2026 (34 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility)

Location Details/

Description:

Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge in Shirley, NY and Elizabeth

A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Noyack, NY.

For more information about Long Island NWR Complex, please visit the FWS website.

During this term, the ACE member will assist with refuge management activities by supporting the maintenance, visitor services and biology programs. The member will engage with refuge staff to support refuge station priorities including invasive species management, maintenance of pollinator habitat, improve visitor experiences through vegetation management around headquarters, trails and observation decks/platforms. The member will work with biology and visitor service staff to offer and promote invasive species volunteer work days and environmental education to the general public.

Members will primarily work at the Wertheim NWR and the Elizabeth

A. Morton NWR but may have opportunities to travel and work on other wildlife refuge units on Long Island.

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

• Completing assigned tasks related to information and data collection, acquisition, entry, organization and management
• Support the nesting shorebird program by performing monitoring, habitat data collection, predator monitoring, and maintaining equipment
• Maintaining areas around the visitor center/contact station, trails, observation platforms/decks using hand tools, mowers and weed whackers.
• Promote and maintain pollinator habitat by maintaining established pollinator gardens at Wertheim and Morton NWR and improve habitat in adjacent areas.
• Conducting invasive species management and monitoring including physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with tools (not including chainsaws).
• Conducting outreach and engaging with the public.
• Assisting with maintenance tasks including trail maintenance, maintenance of visitor facilities, replace signs, and other duties as assigned.
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys, refuge outreach events, and other refuge duties as assigned.

This individual placement is meant to facilitate professional development and promote 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 but weekends may be required to accomplish work tasks. 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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $500/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 agency housing at no cost for the duration of the term. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required.

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.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, pants, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as…