Visitor Services Assistant Individual Placement, Northeast USFWS Regional Office
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the USFWS Northeast Regional Office in Hadley, Massachusetts, is seeking 1 Visitor Services Member to work directly with the USFWS staff and assist with visitor services planning, data/GIS analysis, communications, and other related duties to the visitor services program.
These opportunities are intended for enthusiastic individuals with a degree (or pursuing a degree) in Environmental Studies, Environmental Education, Interpretation, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Park and Recreation Management, 3Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Hydrology, GIS, Urban Planning, and/or related degree or relevant experience who possess an interest in gaining experience in the USFWS Regional Office setting.
Start Date: ASAP
End Date: 21 weeks later
Location: Northeast Regional Office, Hadley, MA
Project Website: For more information about the USFWS Regional Office, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/
Compensation: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Note regarding COVID-19: Due to the pandemic, the selected individual may need to begin work virtually during the first 2-3 months. The position is open to all, local applicants that would not need to travel under these circumstances are encouraged to apply.
Position Description:
· Visitor Services Planning Percentage of Time – 85%
The VS Assistants will primarily assist USFWS employees (regional visitor services team members, refuge managers, biologists, visitor services specialists, law enforcement officers, etc.) in visitor services program planning: developing or updating visitor services plans for national wildlife refuges in the Northeast Region. The primary focus will be on hunting and fishing plans – a high priority for the Northeast Region through 2021 – as well as associated compatibility determinations, environmental assessments, maps, public information documents, and other necessary documents. Secondarily and as time permits, the VS Assistant may assist with other visitor services planning such as visitor services reviews and strategic implementation plans. This assistance involves gathering, organizing, and interpreting information, data, literature, and relevant source materials, as well as writing, editing, and reviewing documents. The VS Assistant will also support regional Visitor Services team members and others in helping to ensure, when capable, that templates, policies, regulations, etc. have been followed.
The aforementioned activities require the ability to actively participate on interdisciplinary teams in the development, coordination, and review of plans to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and/or wildlife and their habitats. The VS Assistant will help support Visitor Services team members and others with management.
· Data/GIS Analysis
The VS Assistants will work with others (regional visitor services team, refuge managers, GIS specialists, etc.) to determine data needs, locate source material, interpret data, and conduct some simple geographic information system (GIS) mapping in support of visitor services planning activities as detailed previously.
· Communications
The VS Assistants will help with internal and external communication needs in support of visitor services planning. This could include writing and editing outreach materials and public information documents, and writing information for posting on websites or social media sites. Beyond text in documents, outreach materials and information may be in the form of maps, graphics, and figures that communicate the contents of planning documents for both internal and external audiences. In addition, the VS Assistant many be asked to help prepare communications and associated documents for stakeholder meetings with other agencies, and possibly public meetings.
· Miscellaneous
The VS Assistants will help with various miscellaneous duties associated with the visitor services program in support of the USFWS mission.
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 referred to above.
Required:
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
· Must be 18-35 years of age (Interns must be 21-35 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
· A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required (documentation to be provided upon request)
- Ability to work alone and in a group
- Proficient in English
- Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
- Wearing the ACE EPIC uniform components
- Knowledge of USFWS mission
- Ability and willingness to think critically
- Deep interest in problem solving
- Good writing and editing skills (ability to interpret in writing, biological data or outdoor recreation information for lay/general public audiences. Ability to write original compositions from baseline information. Experience in writing planning documents (management plans, environmental compliance documents, etc.).
- Good organizational skills (tracking actions and information, data management, and files management)
- Basic GIS knowledge and experience, primarily software to generate or update maps
- Knowledge of various forms of outreach materials, and content development for websites and social media sites in a business/professional setting is helpful
ACE Emerging Professionals must be willing to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
Please note: Marijuana and other controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified medical marijuana card status.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, thoughtful cover letter, and contact for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position through the green "Apply Externally" button at the top right of this posting.
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 USFWS Division Support Specialist, Dave Hecker, 801.386.1629, or dhecker@usaconservation.org.
EOE: 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.