Fish Wildlife Service Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is seeking TWO Masked Bobwhite Recovery Members to contribute to a captive breeding project under the mentorship of USFWS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: No later than 7/12/26

Estimated End Date: 9/19/26

*a 10-week minimum commitment is required *

Location Details/Description: Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, Arivaca, AZ

The 117,464-acre refuge is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. Visitors will find semi-desert grasslands, cottonwoods, and willow-lined riverbanks. Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge is open to the public for an array of wildlife-related activities.

Most of Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge sits high above the desert and includes rolling hills of grassland across a vast plain. You will find a variety of plants and animals in the plains and rolling hills, seasonally wet marshland and meadow, stately cottonwoods, and hackberry and mesquite groves. There is even more to see in leafy green oasis with several species of birds. You may even spot a subtropical species at the tip of its range. You may even be lucky enough to see mountain lions, javelina and an occasional wandering jaguar.

For more information about Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the USFWS 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 the mission at Buenos Aires National Wildlife Refuge through assisting with the care of masked bobwhite, a federally endangered species of bird. The Refuge spans approximately 118,000 acres and serves as a recovery site for masked bobwhite. With a captive population exceeding 300 birds, and no known populations in the wild, the care of these birds is vital to ongoing recovery efforts.

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.

The members will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

• Under the direction of the facility manager and/or a wildlife veterinarian, the members will be responsible for changing food and water, cleaning pens, observing birds for signs of injury, and learning to provide medical care for injuries or illnesses.
• Working outside as well as indoors. Candidates will need to work in all weather conditions including the heat.
• Vegetation management to upkeep, plant and manage the vegetation growth in outdoor bird pens.
• Helping maintain records for the quail facility and outdoor pens.
• Members will gain hands-on experience in collecting eggs for incubation.
• Attention to detail, the ability to follow instructions, and a willingness to ask questions are essential for maintaining a healthy bird population.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out 6 am to 2:30 pm. 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 over 8-hour work days and working on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to FWS and ACE for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $640/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 housing (including utilities) and a vehicle for work use will be provided at no cost for the duration of the term. Please note that pets are not allowed in temporary quarters. Housing may be shared with other staff depending on seasonal staffing needs at the Refuge.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear 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 OSHA online respiratory assessment for N95 clearance.

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.
• Member 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 a high school diploma and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biology, wildlife conservation, zoology, animal caretaking or related fields.
• Knowledge of avian biology, habitat assessment, animal handling, and/or animal caretaking.
• Ability and willingness to follow instructions, express strong observational skills, have clear communication and ask questions.
• Deep interest in animal care, wildlife conservation, and/or veterinary sciences.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.

• 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 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The members are expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources. Specific hazards include exposure to dust, bird dander and exposure to heat from the summer temperatures. N95 masks are required at all times while performing tasks such as cleaning pens, sweeping floors, and changing HVAC filters as a precaution against dust and dander that can accumulate from keeping birds indoors. In certain situations, additional personal protective equipment (PPE), such as a respirator, may be required to further protect members. Prior to employment, each member must successfully complete the OSHA Respirator Medical Evaluation Questionnaire. This evaluation is typically completed electronically and results in an E-certificate. However, under specific circumstances, a follow-up appointment with a physician may be necessary for further medical clearance. Upon arrival at the facility, members are required to undergo a fit test to confirm that the mask fits properly and provides adequate protection. All costs related to the medical evaluation questionnaire and fit test will be covered by USFWS and any necessary physician follow-ups will be covered by ACE. This ensures that members are equipped with the necessary protective equipment and clearances to meet safety standards.

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

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 enrolled in a program 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.