Visitor Services Member – Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Visitor Services Member to contribute to the Visitor Services Program  alongside Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge Staff. During this term, the ACE member will join our team, working on meaningful conservation projects such as roving outdoor interpretation, outdoor programming, virtual education and/or interpretive programming, and staffing Visitor Centers. 

For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.

Start Date: January 2024
Estimated End Date: January 2025
*a 52-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 2080 hours*

Location Details/Description: Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, Boynton Beach, Florida.

Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge is one of the largest urban wildlife refuges in the nation with more than 145,000 acres of Everglades ecosystems including a mosaic of wet prairies, sawgrass ridges, sloughs, tree islands, cattail communities, and a 400-acre cypress swamp. These lands provides habitat — food, water, shelter, and space — for more than 250 species of birds, 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of butterflies, and 20 types of mammals. 

The refuge also provides habitat and protection for endangered and threatened wildlife such as the American alligator, snail kite, and wood stork. Migratory birds such as Neotropical songbirds, secretive marsh birds, shorebirds, raptors, and waterfowl winter at the refuge, along with a great variety of year-round resident wading birds and other wildlife.

For more information about Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, please visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/arthur-r-marshall-loxahatchee

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 Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. 

Working in Visitor Services, your duties will primarily involve staffing the front desk of the Visitor Center including opening and closing duties, fee collection, and may also include the following:

• Participating in the development, management, and implementation of a high quality and balanced visitor services program by recommending and implementing compatible wildlife-dependent recreation activities.
• Assists with day-to-day operations at a visitor center including welcoming visitors to the front desk and providing information, rules, and regulations through refuge brochures and maps to provide visitors with a safe, welcoming, and positive experience.
• Working with volunteers and partners at the Visitor Center.
• Providing onsite and offsite interpretation, environmental education, special events, and recreation-based programming for target audiences, as determined by the field station and consistent with current safety-related guidelines. Programming may also be virtual.
• Coordinating media during visitor service programs, including photography, informational pamphlets, and other informational tools.
• Assisting FWS staff in developing, conducting, and analyzing surveys and visitor use studies; and measuring expectations, quality, and satisfaction regarding the refuge's visitor services program.
• Participating in the development, coordination, and implementation of site or issue specific outreach and communication.
• Identifying potential partnership activities with community organizations and corporations (Scouts, service organizations, local governments, and businesses).
• Assisting staff and volunteers with facility maintenance/repair, litter removal, invasive species removal, routine trail maintenance, and may lead guided walks or hikes.
• Assisting FWS staff in collecting, compiling, and entry of visitor use data.

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.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Friday to Tuesday 8:00am-4:30pm. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours.  A flexible work schedule will be required, as work will take place on weekends and may occur on 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 $400/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. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

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

The ACE member will share a bedroom in the refuge bunkhouse and will share common areas such as the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room. When residing in FWS provided-housing or on FWS lands, strict adherence to site specific policies and/or regulations is required. 

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. 

Qualifications 

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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 current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID’s upon hiring)
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required two-part criminal background check.
• 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. 
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements. 

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resources, biology, ecology, environmental education, interpretation, or a related subject
• Knowledge of South Florida and the Everglades,  interpretive, educational, and recreational program, Spanish Language. 
• Ability and willingness to develop and conduct interpretive and educational programs.
• Deep interest in working with kids, students, adults of all ages in interpretive and recreational programming.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.
• 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 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. 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 does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:  The ACE member 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 the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/. 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 FWS Member Manager, Mac Utter at  mutter@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.