Monarch Monitoring Member - Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge

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 Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

Primary Duties

• Conduct weekly monitoring, assess common and swamp milkweed patch quality, survey known and suspected migratory roosts.
• Complete community outreach.
• Test management actions such as invasive plant control and mowing to setback milkweed with peak Monarch occurrence.
• Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys and restoration projects.
• Assist with public engagement and educational opportunities.
• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with hand tools.
• Assisting with the application of General Use Pesticides.
• General refuge maintenance duties such as trail maintenance, fence building, boundary posting, etc.

Secondary Duties

• Mapping.
• Management of invasive plants.
• General maintenance duties.

Additional Duties

• Physical removal of invasive plants including hand pulling or with hand tools.
• Assisting with the application of General Use Pesticides.

Qualifications

• Authorized to work in the United States.
• Ability 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 valid driver's license and an insurable driving record.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions.
• Ability to work in a team, independently, and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred

• Holding or pursuing a 4-year college degree and/or having education or experience in natural resources, biology, ecology or a related subject.
• Able to pull or remove invasive plants with hand tools.
• Willingness to apply General Use Pesticides with use of appropriate safety equipment, and training in the safe handling of General Use Pesticides.
• Knowledge of/experience in plant identification, habitat restoration, and/or invasive species management.
• To assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys and general refuge maintenance duties.
• Experience and/or knowledge with GPS equipment.
• Experience in using common hand tools and simple power equipment.

Physical Demands, Work Environment And Working Conditions

• 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, and potentially camp overnight under field conditions.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position will require frequent driving and domestic travel. With the refuge headquarters centrally located in the state, common day trips to sites can involve 2-4 hours of total drive time. Primary travel locations may include day trips near the FWS headquarters (near Overton) and to Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

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.