Visitor Services Support Member - Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge

Visitor Services Support Member - Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge (NWR)

Summary:
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Visitor Services Support Member to assist with the administration of the waterfowl hunt program, interact with visitors, assist with outreach events, and support other refuge activities alongside Mattamuskeet NWR Staff.

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

Start Date:  December 2, 2024
Estimated End Date: February 15, 2025
*a 11-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 560 hours*

Location Details/Description: Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Swanquarter, North Carolina

Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge features the largest natural freshwater lake in North Carolina, Lake Mattamuskeet, as well as marshes, swamp forests, and upland forests. The refuge supports large numbers of wintering waterfowl, as well as a variety of breeding songbirds, mammals such as black bear and bobcat, and other wildlife. Fishing, birding, photography, and hunting are popular recreational activities.

Rich in history and outdoor traditions, Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge is well-known as a significant resource for wintering waterfowl in the Atlantic flyway, supporting over 50% of all waterfowl that migrate through or over-winter in the state.

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

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at Mattamuskeet NWR. The visitor services support position at Mattamuskeet NWR will provide a well-rounded experience in the natural resource field. The member will work as part of a small team to help administer the waterfowl hunt program, interact with visitors, support public programs, complete administrative tasks, and assist with general refuge duties and programs.

Duties Include:

• Administer the late-season waterfowl hunt program (60%)
  • Repair and brush hunting blinds
  • Install directional signage and mark trails to hunting blinds 
  • Assist hunters with the check-in process and orient them to the blind locations.
  • Conduct drawings for unclaimed blinds 
  • Conduct check-out procedures with hunters and track harvest information
• Other Public Use and Environmental Outreach (25%)
  • Staff the visitor center and gift shop; orient visitors and respond to requests for information.
  • Organize and participate in outreach and other public use events
• Biological monitoring and wildlife surveys (15%)
  • Assist with waterfowl surveys
  • Participate in waterfowl habitat management
  • Assist with carp removal project

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: Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Typical work schedule is Tuesday - Saturday  (4:30am - 1pm on hunt days;  7:30am - 4pm other days).  A flexible work schedule will be required, as work will take place on weekends and some federal holidays and may include early start times. 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 ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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.

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

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position 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.

Scholarship Funding Opportunity:  The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE’s Access and Inclusion Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship  which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships are available. 

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 partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. 
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit the ACE website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate's degree or higher, and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology, environmental education, interpretation, or a related subject.
• Knowledge of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service mission, hunting programs, operating trucks, and working with the public. 
• Deep interest in wildlife and natural resources management.
   

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 25 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.  
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment:[Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. North Carolina has average temperatures in the 80's-90's during the summer months and 40’s-50’s in the winter months. This position will require extended time outdoors, in cold, windy, and sometimes wet conditions. Field work is often done in remote areas, including wetlands. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.
 

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE.  Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it.  Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.  

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position on our website at usaconservation dot org. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager, Cait Dunne.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. 

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.