Conservation Technician jobs in Pensacola, FL

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Shorebird Management Member to provide assistance during the peak activity of shorebird breeding season, alongside Gulf Islands National Seashore staff.

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

Start Date: May 6, 2024 (flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

Estimated End Date: November 1, 2024 (or 26 weeks after start date)

*a 26-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Gulf Islands National Seashore - Gulf Breeze, FL

The Florida District of Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS) contains sparkling blue waters and sugar white sandy beaches. The largest of the National Seashores, GUIS stretches for 160 miles along the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Florida and Mississippi, and includes barrier islands, maritime forests, bayous, and marine habitat. The Seashore provides suitable habitat to over 300 species of birds and four species of nesting sea turtles. GUIS is also comprised of several historic coastal fortifications and batteries dating back to the early 19th century. Weather conditions can change from sunny skies to severe thunderstorms with little to no warning. All units within GUIS are relatively close to civilization (within 15 miles) and large city services are within a 30-minute drive.

For more information regarding Gulf Islands National Seashore, or the National Park Service, please visit: https://www.nps.gov/guis/index.htm.

Position Overview: The ACE Member will assist Gulf lslands National Seashore (GUIS) staff in achieving the objectives of a Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) project: Beach and Dune Habitat Protection. The NRDA Beach and Dune Habitat Protection project focuses on intense breeding season surveys and censuses of imperiled shorebird species, (including but not limited to snowy plovers, Wilson's plovers, least terns, black skimmers, and piping plovers,) their breeding behaviors, nesting activities, hatch success, chick rearing, and ultimate fledging of chicks. Negative impacts to shorebird breeding success, such as predation, roadkill, dog presence, and human disturbance are documented, analyzed, and mitigated to the extent possible.

Mitigation measures can include, but are not limited to:

• Posting of temporary fencing and informational signage
• Analysis of vehicular citation and warning data
• Acting as a public liaison and Notification of GUIS contact Law Enforcement Rangers as necessary
• Data collection and management: Compiling field notes including completed data sheets and conducting QA/QC for non breeding bird data; Collecting field data using a tablet and entering data into the correct database. Checking data for accuracy and transfer into the Florida Shorebird Database (FSD) and Nest Story
• Walking surveys of the three barrier islands and conducting independent checks of known nests/nesting activity, predation activity using ArcCollector and ArcGIS, regulation monitoring (including dog activity)

• One-on One Public Outreach: Frequent contact with volunteers and the public to enhance the understanding of natural resources within the park. This may also include social media coordination and outreach

• Attending and presenting at community outreach events to promote conservation

Additional potential duties:

• Routine park upkeep of supplies and equipment
• Assisting with shorebird leg banding or egg floating, sea turtle nesting surveys, post-hatch inventories and disorientations, marine mammal stranding rescues, injured wildlife response, and archaeological surveys

Training: Field training will be provided to identify shorebird species by sight and sound, locate and monitor nests of multiple bird species, correctly conduct surveys and data collection, install symbolic fencing, re-sight banded adults and family groups, and to observe and document behavior. UTV operation training will also be offered.

The ACE Member's assistance during the peak of shorebird breeding season, mid-March through mid-September, will help preserve these imperiled species for future ecosystem health and the enjoyment of the public while providing data to inform future species management decisions.

The ACE Member may have the opportunity to attend and even present at the Fall Florida Panhandle Shorebird Working Group meeting, depending on scheduling. The working group is a partnership among multiple organizations involved in shorebird conservation throughout the Florida Panhandle, including NPS, USFWS, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Audubon FL.

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: The ACE Member will work Mondays-Fridays, 6:00am-2:30pm or 7:00am-3:30pm, depending on the time of sunrise and the day's high temperature. This includes a 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks. The ACE Member may be asked, but is not required, to work outside of these hours.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $640/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program (EAP): This position may be eligible for an 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2023/24 grant year program, valued up to $3,447.50 upon successful completion of a complete serve term and 900 hours.

AmeriCorps Provided Childcare Coverage & Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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 here.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or the NPS.

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 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors for long hours every day, with possible exposure to biting insects, venomous snakes, and inclement weather, including (but not limited to) extreme summer heat, humidity, lightning, wind, and rain.
• Ability and willingness to traverse several miles in soft sand while carrying backpack and equipment.
• A personal vehicle is required for this position.
• 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 a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as wildlife sciences, coastal ecology, imperiled species conservation, environmental studies, natural resources, wildlife management, or a related field.
• Knowledge of native Florida bird species.
• Deep interest in working with the National Park Service.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Field work (75% of the time) is done outside on soft sandy beaches and will require frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. The remaining 25% of duties will be performed in an office setting. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• 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 35 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(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife.Participants may be subject to venomous snakes, and inclement weather including extreme heat, humidity, lightning, wind, and rain. ACE Members will be required to traverse several miles in soft sand while carrying a backpack and equipment. 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 NPS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to the NPS 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/. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC NPS Eastern Program Manager, Molly Nash, at mmnash@usaconservation.org

EEO: Employment with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee 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, creed, sex, gender, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information (including of a family member), veteran or military status, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.