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Visitor Operations and Interpretative Member- Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Member to contribute to visitor services projects under the mentorship of Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: June 2026

Estimated End Date: June 2027

*a 48-week minimum commitment is required

Location Details/Description: Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Kilauea, HI

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is located on the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands on a portion of the former Kilauea volcanic vent and includes spectacular views from atop a 180-foot ocean bluff.

The Refuge is the best place in the state to view seabirds rarely seen from land, like the red-footed booby (a in Hawaiian), great frigate bird ('iwa), and Laysan albatross (moli). The world's rarest goose and Hawai'i's state bird, the Hawaiian goose (nene) is a frequent sight as well. Visitors also have a chance to view spinner dolphins (nai'a), Hawaiian monk seals ('Ilio holo i ka uaua), green sea turtles (honu), and humpback whales (kohola, October - April) in the water below. Native Hawaiian coastal plants are also abundant.

The Refuge is also home to the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse, whose 2nd order bivalve Fresnel lens lit the way for seafarers. The lighthouse is part of the Kilauea Point Light Station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The lighthouse played a key role in the first trans-Pacific flight from the West Coast to Hawai'i and has been part of Kaua'i's history since its completion in 1913.

For more information about Kilauea Point 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 Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.

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

• Staffing the fee booth
• Following refuge procedures and federal guidelines in collecting entrance fees from visitors
• Selling federal passes and annual refuge passes
• Balancing and accounting for daily receipts in a timely and accurate manner
• Completing daily fee collection accounting procedures
• Assisting the fee program coordinator to improve the efficiency and accountability of the program
• Inspecting and performing routine maintenance on visitor use facilities and equipment
• Assisting with facilities and grounds maintenance activities supporting Visitor Service programs and activities
• Recognizing, acknowledging and responding to the needs of visitors
• Assisting with special events, such as activity stations, logistics in event planning and volunteer coordination
• Assisting with outreach and communication plans for special use permits, refuge management plans, policies, and noteworthy stories
• Assisting with volunteer program administration, recruitment, orientation, and training
• Assisting in the preparation of interpretive/informational materials for use in the refuge complex, for the refuge website and/or for other media applications

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Tuesday - Saturday (generally from 8:30 am to 5:00 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 $700/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 FWS housing at $383/month for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 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.

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:

• Member 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.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of an AA degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Anthropology, Hawaiian Studies, Biology.
• Knowledge of conducting fee collection, interpretive writing and/or speaking, environmental education.
• Ability and willingness to welcome everyone prior to conducting transactions, answer repetitive questions with grace and patience, and provide correct change and instruction.

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 10 lbs., ability to move up to 10 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. When outdoor, 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 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 FWS Senior Program Manager, Nich Jackosky.

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.