Internship Pollinator Conservation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Description
Position Title: Visitor Services Individual Placement
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico
Site Location Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge
435 NM Highway 281 Mile Marker 4
Las Vegas, NM, 87701
Application Timeline: First review of applications will take place by 5/20 . Position open until filled; candidates can check https://corpsnm.org/ip-positions to see if the position is still open.
COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION
Dates of Employment:

• Anticipated Start Date: 8/3/26

• Anticipated End Date: 1/29/27

Purpose:
Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with internships and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. In partnership with the Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge, CCNM will support a Visitor Services Intern.
National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Visitor Services manage facilities and programs for visitors to utilize as they explore these sites. These services are prioritized in the Big 6: Hunting, Fishing, Wildlife Observation, Wildlife Photography, Interpretation, and Environmental Education. Las Vegas NWR uses these guidelines to offer quality opportunities for visitors to learn and immerse themselves in wildlife around them.
This Visitor Services Intern is an hourly position that will help Las Vegas NWR increase the quality and quantity of Big 6 functions the refuge offers to the public. The addition of an intern will allow for more interpretive and educational visits to the refuge, improving the visitor experience. It is also the hope for the refuge to inspire the next generation of Visitor Services professionals.
Description of Duties:

• Pollinator Program

• Support supervisor with lesson completion for visiting students.

• Prepare supplies for lessons.

• Lead parts of the lesson under supervisor guidance.

• Suggest improvements and ensure standards are met during lessons.

• Presentation at the Playas

• Collaborate with supervisor to learn about community partners and how to arrange a talk.

• Prepare for presentations.

• Advertise for presentations.

• Exhibit Design

• Support staff with interpretive and interactive design focused on wildlife.

• Assist staff with installation of exhibit.

• Assist staff with developing operating procedures for maintenance, function and upkeep of exhibit.

Qualifications:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.

• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a background check.

• Must be at least 18 years of age.

• High school diploma or GED.

• Valid U.S Driver's License - Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years.

• Per federal grant requirements, this position is for young adults between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans) at the time the individual begins term of service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with children.

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 25 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.

• Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.

• Reasonable accommodation may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.

• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.

• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.

• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.

• Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, Fish and Wildlife Service and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.

• Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

Safety and Judgment:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.

• Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.

• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.

• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

Background Check:
A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The FWS will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant's exact start date.
Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to government vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.
Our Commitment:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time requirements:

• This position is part-time and is expected to work 20 hours each week, but exact schedule may vary

Orientation and Training:

• Participant will receive an orientation from CCNM that includes policies and procedures

• Education techniques

• Public speaking techniques

• Lesson and event planning

• Advertising techniques

• Interpretive design relevant to project

• Understanding accessibility in exhibit design

Additional Position and Community Information

• Las Vegas National Wildlife Refuge sits just outside of Las Vegas, NM and is at a maximum commute of 20 minutes from the refuge. The housing offered to interns sits at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge, about 35 minutes north of Las Vegas NM. The housing is within a valley that can make travelling difficult during heavy snow and can be isolating due to its rural location.

• Personal vehicles are encouraged but not required. If a personal vehicle is not available, interns will have to abide by Government Policy while operating a Government Vehicle.

Benefits:

• Hourly Wage: $16

• Free housing available onsite; more information will be given during the interview process

Apply on-line at https://corpsnm.org/ip-positions. In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

• Program Contact information: SamJean Simmons, ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org

• Service Site Contact information: anna_blades@fws.gov

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.