Contractual Invasive Species Management Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking two (2) Members to contribute to habitat restoration, invasive plant management, and biological survey projects under the mentorship of Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: August 2026

Estimated End Date: February 2027

*a 27-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge, Liberty, TX

The 30,000-acre Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1994 to protect what was once a much larger, frequently flooded, bottomland hardwood forest ecosystem along the Trinity River. It is one of only 14 priority bottomland sites identified for protection in the Texas Bottomland Hardwood Preservation Program. Although not fully surveyed, the refuge contains more than 635 plant species and another 350 vertebrate species, including more than 200 birds, 60 fish, 40 mammals, and 50 reptiles and amphibians. Over 980 moth species have been documented within one acre of the refuge administrative office. The refuge primarily consists of a broad, flat floodplain, but also features numerous sloughs, oxbows, artesian wells, and tributaries.

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

Position Overview: The selected candidates will assist staff with invasive species control on Champion Lake (800 acres), Timber Lake (16 acres), and Luce Bayou Tract, McGuire Tract, and Hirsch tract. These areas are habitat for alligators, alligator snapping turtles (protected species), alligator gar fish, nesting colonial waterbirds, neotropical migrant birds, and numerous other reptiles and amphibians. Trifoliate orange is an invasive terrestrial plant impacting the bottomland hardwood forest. Giant salvinia, water hyacinth, and alligator weed are three invasive aquatic plant species found on Champion Lake. These plants have the ability to take over and suffocate waterways. In addition, tawny crazy ants, an invasive ant species, have established themselves on the shoreline of Champion Lake, threatening the biodiversity of the ecosystem.

A research project has been established to help control the ants featuring a microsporidian pathogen being studied as a biocontrol on sensitive wetlands. Staff are aggressively trying to control these plants and ants and need individual placements to join this stewardship project. Individual placements will support staff by surveying, monitoring, and treating patches of invasive plants on the refuge. Individual placements will also assist in mapping and collecting samples from ant populations. Individual placements will also assist with wildlife surveys for forest birds. By assisting with the protection of the forest and water ways on the refuge, participants will aid in protecting wildlife habitat as well as a public recreation area.

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: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm (with occasional work on Saturdays for special events.)

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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) 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 FWS 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, work pants, outerwear, hat, 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. Specific training may include Utility Terrain Vehicle Training, Government Vehicle Operation Training, Kayak/Canoe Training, and Trailer-backing training.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biology, natural resource management, ecology, botany, or another related subject area.
• Knowledge of/experience in plant identification, habitat restoration, and/or invasive species management.
• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
• Basic knowledge of hand and power tools, or heavy equipment experience.
• Ability to embrace travel opportunities as they arise to other nearby Refuges.
• A personal vehicle for travel during off days to get groceries, etc. is strongly recommended

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Entails hiking in rugged terrain, stooping, kneeling, crouching, carrying heavy fencing materials, and tool and computer use.
• Vision Requirements: The ability to count animals through binoculars or a scope
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 35 lbs., ability to move up to 75 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 heavy equipment gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position does not require 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.

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 ACE's online application page for this position on our website. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Member Manager, Ian McGufficke.

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 or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, 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, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, 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.