Aquatic Invasive Species Member
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking ONE Aquatic Invasive Species Member to contribute to an aquatic invasive species project alongside Amistad National Recreation Area staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit: www.usaconservation.org.
Start Date: January 3, 2022 (flexible for the right candidate)
End Date: October 2, 2022 (or 39 weeks from start date)
*a minimum commitment of 39 weeks is required*
Location: Amistad National Recreation Area - Del Rio, TX
An oasis in the desert, Amistad National Recreation Area consists of the US portion of the International Amistad Reservoir. Amistad, whose name comes from the Spanish word meaning friendship, is best known for excellent water-based recreation, camping, hiking, rock art viewing, and its rich cultural history. Amistad is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal life above and below the water. Amistad National Recreation Area's natural features are primarily the result of two influences: geology and climate. The local flora and fauna has developed in response to these two factors. Despite Amistad's desert-like appearance, the park represents an interesting collection of plants and animals found at no other National Park Service site. Amistad National Recreation Area's flora contains elements from three major plant communities. This is due to our location in a transition zone between a more humid Gulf of Mexico-influenced climate, the drier Chihuahuan Desert, and the hills of the Edwards Plateau.
For more information regarding the Amistad National Recreation Area, please visit their website at: https://www.nps.gov/amis/.
Living Allowance: The ACE member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $750/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly. ($70 of this living allowance has been earmarked for health insurance costs, but is automatically included in the living allowance whether or not the member uses it for this purpose).
Relocation Allowance: The member will be eligible for a reimbursable relocation allowance up to $500.
Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by Amistad National Recreation Area.
Position Description: This project will directly benefit the public through the protection of public water bodies. The main duties will include a wide variety of biological science technician support functions, such as:
- Performing boat inspections to gather data on biological threat of invasive species introductions via watercraft
- Assisting with decontamination services to high-risk watercrafts
- Collecting and organizing aquatic invasive field data
- Installing, operating, and maintaining resource management equipment
- Providing information to visitors and performing outreach at boat ramps to inform boating public of aquatic invasive species threat
- Assisting with implementing scientific monitoring protocols for native species, invasive species and species of conservation concern - this includes, but is not limited to: Monarch Butterflies, Interior Least Terns, and Zebra Mussels
- Providing advice or assistance to other interns and volunteers
- Preparing project and season reports
Training: Member activities will be overseen and supervised by NPS staff to ensure compliance with current data protocols and ensure that clear, concise messages are given at boat ramps to the boating public and visitors. Training will be available on the following subjects: boat safety/trailer backing, border safety, defensive driving, FISSA, CPR, Arc GIS, Motorboat Operator Training, and Watercraft Inspection.
Qualifications
Required:
- 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
- This position is funded through the Public Land Corps Act which has specific program requirements
- US Citizen or Permanent Resident
- A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request)
- Willing to undergo and must pass required criminal history checks
- Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
- Must be able to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, with NPS resource professionals and their partners;
- Must be able to complete tasks well independently and on a team;
- Must have a deep interest in aquatic ecology/marine biology and a respect for nature.
- ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
Preferred:
- Competitive applicants for the position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, marine biology, botany, wildlife sciences, biology, natural resource management, environmental science, or related disciplines
- Deep interest in conservation, ecology, public lands, and invasive species removal
- Skills in boat operation (paddling or motor)
- Basic spoken Spanish
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 by clicking the green "Apply Externally" button. Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time.