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Visitor Services and Outreach Member - Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex
SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Member to develop, implement, and evaluate nature-based programs and outreach under the mentorship of staff at the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
For more information about ACE, please visit our website.
Start Date: September 8, 2026
Estimated End Date: May 22, 2027
*a 37-week minimum commitment is required; start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility*
Location Details/Description: Charlestown, Rhode Island
Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex is headquartered in Charlestown, Rhode Island. Dotted along Rhode Island's Atlantic coastline, the five refuges that make up the complex (Ninigret, Trustom Pond, John H. Chafee at Petaquamscutt Cove, Block Island and Sachuest Point) offer a wide variety of natural settings.
For more information about Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 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 the Rhode Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The ACE member will focus on visitor services and outreach as it relates to increasing access to outdoor recreation, including "Big 6" priorities, such as hunting and fishing. During this term, the ACE member will work to support and engage visitors as they explore the natural world, and increase public understanding of the National Wildlife Refuge System. The member will provide support and assistance with the guidance and direction of FWS staff to:

• Assist with analysis of hunter survey data and translate key findings into actionable improvements for refuge hunting programs.
• Support hunt operations for deer, waterfowl, and turkey season, as well as mentored deer hunt programs for Veterans and youth.
• Lead coordination of fishing programs at Rhode Island refuges, like the Cinder Worm Fly Fishing Series.
• Provide public archery programs and lead outreach opportunities that enhance visitors' understanding of nature-based recreation across the complex.
• Support and lead guided field trips and programs, like nature walks, for school groups and the general public.
• Support partner programs like the North Attleboro Fish Hatchery Open Houseand the Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership.
• Representing the Service at relevant outreach events, conferences, trainings, seminars, and meetings.
• Providing support to mission-critical projects at refuges throughout the Northeast region as appropriate.

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. In particular, there may be additional opportunities to gain experience with the biology, management, and maintenance teams, as well as conduct a short "detail" opportunity at Lenape National Wildlife Refuge.
Schedule: Typically, duties will often be carried out between 8 am - 4:30 pm, and 5 days/week. (5-8s). Bi-weekly totals will usually not exceed 80 hours but may exceed 80 hours during the busiest months of May and June. In these instances, extra hours worked can be taken off later in the season. A flexible work schedule is required, and involves work performed outside of normal work hours, including late nights, early mornings, weekends, and holidays. 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 $800/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 no cost for the duration of the term. Housing is provided at the Refuge 3-bedroom, 1 bathroom trailer at Trustom Pond NWR. The housing unit is a shared co-ed space with seasonal interns, but may be vacant in the winter. Utilities are included.
Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. 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

• CPR and First Aid.
• Required employee trainings for use of government equipment and vehicles (e.g., IT, Defensive Driving).
• Other Visitor Services, Education and Outreach, and broader FWS trainings, depending on availability.

Qualifications
Required:

• 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.
• A personal vehicle is required due to the remote nature of housing.
• 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.
• 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 bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, education, communications/marketing, or other related disciplines appropriate to this position.
• Experience or knowledge in hunting & fishing recreation.
• Comfortable and willing to work in and around boats, with potential to take boat operation training.
• Ability and experience working independently and as part of a team.
• Ability and willingness to interact with the visiting public of all ages in a professional manner.
• Deep interest in wildlife conservation and management.
• Comfortable living and working in shared space and remote conditions.

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. Ability to hike over rough terrain under field conditions.
• 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. Indoor work includes office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise is to be expected such as in a business office with
• equipment and light traffic, or outside such as wildlife and effects from weather.
• Travel: Occasional travel will be required to neighboring Refuges and to events in the New England region. A government vehicle will be provided for work-related travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, sandy terrain, biting insects, poison ivy, sun and ticks. The member should be physically comfortable with performing fieldwork in inclement weather and under strenuous conditions in a coastal (beach/ dune/ mudflat/ pine forest/ saltmarsh) ecosystem. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members, the public or resources. Exposure to ticks and mosquitos is common, training on preventative measures will be provided.
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 Member Manager, Claire Barnwell.
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.