Fisheries Monitoring Members, Shenandoah National Park – AmeriCorps Eligible

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking FOUR Fisheries Monitoring Members to dedicate 12 weeks in support of Shenandoah National Park. The ACE members will assist with backpack electrofishing 70 or more sites throughout the park to monitor fish populations and take various habitat measurements. This opportunity will require daily extensive hiking in streams and mountainous terrain with up to 45 pounds of gear.

These positions provide excellent opportunities to develop skills in fisheries science and ecology, contribute to the preservation of our national parks, and work in a spectacular outdoor setting. Competitive applicants will have a strong interest in a career in fisheries, ecology, biology, wetland sciences, natural resource management or a related discipline.

*A 12-week commitment is required*

Location: Shenandoah National Park Headquarters, Luray, Virginia

Shenandoah National Park contains 196,000 forested acres along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Virginia. The Park's backcountry of steep rugged terrain contains 500 miles of trails, including 95 miles of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and nearly 80,000 acres of federally designated wilderness. Skyline Drive, the famous scenic tour road through the Park, follows the ridge crest for 105 miles and connects to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Nearly two million people visit the Park each year to enjoy views from the Skyline Drive, hike trails, rock climb, enjoy nature study, camp, or stay overnight in one of the Park's rustic lodges or backcountry cabins. The Park supports approximately 1,400 vascular plant species, numerous state-rare plant species, and a variety of forest community types. The mountain streams are inhabited by 40 species of fishes, over 230 taxa of aquatic invertebrates and provide some of the best protected strongholds for native eastern brook trout south of Maine.

Project Websites: For more information regarding Shenandoah National Park, or the National Park Service, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm, for information on Shenandoah's monitoring program please visit: https://www.nps.gov/im/midn/shen.htm.

For more information on American Conservation Experience, please visit: http://www.usaconservation.org/.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $170/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. A $500 travel allowance will be provided to aid in the costs of relocation.

 Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in housing provided by the park at no cost for the duration of the term.

Housing consists of several homes with double occupancy bedrooms. Housing will most likely be in Luray, VA or within 10 miles. If housing is located further than 10 miles from Luray, VA, a government vehicle is intended to be provided for transportation to and from work site. If one is not available, there will be a travel allowance provided. Luray, VA is 5 miles from Park Headquarters and has all of the standard amenities (Grocery stores, movie theater, shops, restaurants, library etc.). Laundry facilities are also available at park housing locations.

Cell phone reception is not always reliable. A personal vehicle is required for transportation related to personal needs (e.g., food shopping). The site is remote and there is no reliable public transportation. Members will have use of a government vehicle for work related travel.

 AmeriCorps: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award ($1,612.43) upon successful completion of term hours. Additional enrollment is required.

 Position Description: For the first 10 weeks, the members will assist in backpack electrofishing roughly 70 sites on 30 or more stream throughout Shenandoah National Park assessing coldwater fish populations as part of a ten person crew. Members will also take various water quality and stream habitat measurements as a component of the NPS "vital signs" program. The remaining 2 weeks will be spent removing exotic fish from park streams in order to benefit native species within the park. Any additional free time will likely be spent patrolling the developed areas of the park for nuisance black bears and educating visitors about bear conflicts, conducting peregrine falcon cliff nesting surveys, and radio tracking whitetail deer. The members must have the ability to walk miles of steep, rugged, wet terrain with packs up to 45 pounds on a daily basis.

 Qualifications: 

Applicants for the position must hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in ichthyology, ecology, biology, wetland sciences, natural resource management or a related discipline.

Driving is not required, but only individuals 21+ years of age with insurable driving records and valid drivers licenses are permitted to drive agency or ACE vehicles.

To Apply: Handshake will redirect you to our external application system.

Note: Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Recruitment Specialist, Madison Douthitt at mdouthitt@usaconservation.org

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.