Biological Support Member

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking One or Two Biological Support Member to contribute to the biology program under the mentorship of Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website at usaconservation dot org.

Start Date: May 2026

Estimated End Date: December 2026

*34 week commitment is required - start date may have 1 to 2 week flexibility*

Location Details/Description: Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex; Sudbury, MA

Situated along the Atlantic Flyway in Massachusetts, the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex comprises eight ecologically diverse refuges. The eight individual refuges include inland and coastal wetlands such as rivers, vernal pools, barrier beaches, and saltmarshes, as well as diverse native uplands, that provide important habitat for migratory birds, mammals, plants, reptiles and amphibians, fish, and invertebrates. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages these areas to conserve and protect a diversity of native wildlife habitats and species. The refuge complex encompasses several federally threatened and endangered species, numerous state listed species, the only federally designated Wilderness Area in southern New England, and a National Wild and Scenic River.

For more information about the Eastern Massachusetts NWR Complex, and the Refuges within the Complex, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: During this term, the ACE member will contribute to wetland and upland habitat and rare species monitoring and management projects. The ACE member will support inventory, monitoring, and management of amphibians and reptiles, migratory birds, and invasive species. The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff to:

• spend 60% of the time focused on inventory, monitoring, and management of amphibians and reptiles and wetland habitats, including:
• • ongoing research and management for Blanding's turtles and northern red-bellied cooters which likely involves hoop trapping, radio telemetry, nest searching and monitoring, and hatchling collection.
  • ongoing vernal pool monitoring, which includes egg mass counts and dip net surveys.
  • wetland habitat restoration, management, and mapping.

• spend 30% of the time helping with other biological work which may include:
• • coastal nesting waterbird and migrating waterfowl surveys.
  • vegetation surveys, including mapping of invasive species.
  • controlling invasive plant species (especially water chestnut and American lotus).
• spend 10% of the time interacting with the public, entering data, maintaining facilities, and conducting routine office work.

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 often be carried out between 8 am - 4:30 pm, typically 5 days/week. (5-8s). Bi-weekly totals will usually not exceed 80 hours, but may during the busiest months of May and June. In these instances, extra hours worked can be taken off later in the season. A flexible work schedule is required, and involves work performed outside of normal work hours, including late nights, early mornings, weekends, and 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 approximately 40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $450/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 and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website at usaconservation dot org.

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

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 byU.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 valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required three-part criminal history 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree in wildlife biology, botany, natural resource management, or other related discipline appropriate to this position
• Knowledge of radio telemetry use and application, turtle trapping techniques, bird and vegetation sampling techniques, GPS, and GIS.
• Knowledge of, or some exposure to, identification of reptiles, amphibians, songbirds, and non-native invasive plants in the northeastern US.
• Ability and willingness to work with the public in a professional manner, work independently and as part of a team, work in challenging field conditions, learn new field techniques.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible and adaptable to changing field conditions, schedules, and priorities.
• Deep interest in applied conservation management, reptiles and amphibians, collaborative work with conservation partners.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires 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 camp overnight under field conditions.
• 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 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor work includes office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise is to be expected such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic, or outside such as wildlife and effects from weather.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, biting insects, and dangerous wildlife such as venomous animals. The member should be physically comfortable with performing fieldwork in inclement weather and under strenuous conditions (hot, arid) in a mountainous desert ecosystem. 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 ACE's online application page for this position on our website at usaconservation dot org. Early consideration will be given as applications 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, Claire Barnwell.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.