ACE EPIC NPS TX: Natural Resource Management Position
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a Non-Profit Conservation Corps based in Flagstaff, AZ, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking one Natural Resource Management Position to dedicate 52 weeks in support of the Amistad National Recreation Area.
Main duties include: Conducting resource damage assessments, surveying threatened & endangered species and habitats, removing invasive plants, mapping natural resources with GPS and performing GIS analyses, and educating our boating public about aquatic invasive species.
Start Date: Sept. 15, 2019 (can be flexible for the right candidate)
End Date: Sept. 12, 2020 (or 52 weeks from start date)
* A 52-week commitment is required *
Location: Amistad National Recreation Area, Del Rio, TX.
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, whose name comes from the Spanish word meaning friendship, is best known for excellent water-based recreation, camping, hiking, rock art viewing, and its rich cultural history. Amistad is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life above and below the water. Amistad National Recreation Area's natural features are primarily the result of two influences: geology and climate. The local flora and fauna has developed in response to these two factors. Despite Amistad's desert-like appearance, the park represents an interesting collection of plants and animals found at no other National Park Service site. Amistad National Recreation Area's flora contains elements from three major plant communities. This is due to our location in a transition zone between a more humid Gulf of Mexico-influenced climate, the drier Chihuahuan Desert, and the hills of the Edwards Plateau.
Project Partner Website: For more information regarding the Amistad National Recreation Area, please visit the NPS website at:https://www.nps.gov/amis/index.htm.
For more information on the ACE Internship Program, please visit:www.usaconservation.org.
Compensation: The ACE interns receive a living stipend of $680/week for food, housing, and incidental expenses, paid bi-weekly. NPS housing is not provided for this position.
Position Description: This project will directly benefit the public through the protection of public water bodies. The main duties will include a wide variety of biological science technician support functions, such as:
- Collect field data on the condition of natural resources and records damage to soils and vegetation;
- Research cave / karst features and their biological communities;
- Monitor the fall butterfly migration;
- Apply pesticides according to pesticide label directions;
- GPS data collection and analysis, GIS layer creation, GIS database;
- Installing, operating, and maintaining resource management equipment;
- Collecting and organizing aquatic invasive field data;
- Assist in designing, developing, testing, and implementing scientific monitoring protocols for native and invasive species and species of conservation concern;
- Performing boat inspections to gather data on biological threat of invasive species introductions via watercraft;
- Providing information to visitors and performing outreach at boat ramps to inform boating public of aquatic invasive species threat;
- Providing advice or assistance to interns and volunteers, communicates with visitors to promote resource protection;
- Preparing project and season reports.
Training: Intern activities will be overseen and supervised by NPS staff to ensure compliance with current data protocols and ensure that clear, concise messages are given at boat ramps to the boating public and visitors. Training will be available on the following subjects: boat safety/trailer backing, border safety, defensive driving, FISSA, CPR, Watercraft Inspection training, MOCC (NPS Motorboat Operator Certification Course, if available) and Arc GIS.
Qualifications: Applicants for the position must hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, marine biology, botany, wildlife sciences, biology, natural resource management, environmental science, or related disciplines.
Required:
- Must be a US Citizen and Permanent Resident
- Must be between the ages of 21 to 35
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, with NPS resource professionals and their partners
- Must be able to complete tasks well independently and on a team
- Physically able to conduct field surveys under demanding weather in rough terrain
- Must have a valid driver's license, provide documentation of an insurable driving record. A personal vehicle is highly recommended.
- Must have a deep interest in aquatic ecology/marine biology and a respect for nature
- Ability and willingness to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
- Proficiency in English is required
- Basic spoken Spanish preferred
- Experienced boat operator preferred
The members must be willing to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. With our federal partnerships, we are required to maintain a drug-free workplace and reserve the right to conduct drug testing.
To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with three professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right-hand corner of the position listing on the ACE website. Handshake will redirect applicants to our external application system.
NOTE: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This posting may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact ACE EPIC Outreach and Recruitment Specialist, Dave Hecker at (801) 386-1629 or dhecker@usaconservation.org.