Visitor Services Member, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

EPIC • Fort Peck, MT

3d • Onsite

About The Position

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking One (1) Member to contribute to visitor services day to day operations under the mentorship of Charles M. Russell NWR Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website. Together, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge encompass an area of 1.1 million acres that span about 125 air miles along the Missouri River, from the Fort Peck Dam west to the boundary with the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Located within the boundary of CMR Refuge, UL Bend is, in essence, a refuge within a refuge. The Service manages these refuges as one, forming the second largest national wildlife refuge in the lower 48 states. Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge's expansive badlands, cottonwood river bottoms, forested coulees, sagebrush steppes and mixed-grass prairies appear out of the sea that is the northern Great Plains. Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, sage and sharp-tailed grouse, and bald eagles make the Refuge home. Visitors will find spectacular examples of native prairie, forested coulees, river bottoms, and "breaks" badlands so often portrayed in the paintings of the colorful artist for whom this Refuge is named.Each fall, hundreds of elk congregate in the Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area, creating a spectacle not to be missed. During their term, the ACE member will assist staff at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center located at the northeast corner of the Refuge. The Interpretive Center is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Interpretive Center highlights the natural history of the Refuge, the construction history of the Fort Peck Dam, and the paleontology of the Hell Creek Formation. For more information about Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, please visit their FWS website. 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 Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. 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.

Requirements

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.
• You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35

Nice To Haves

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Outdoor Education, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Biology, or any related subject
• Previous experience working with visitors, students, or campers in a paid position or as a volunteer.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to develop and conduct interpretive and educational programs.
• Knowledge of or interest in the flora, fauna, history, and/or geology of northeastern Montana.
• Due to the remote nature of Fort Peck, access to reliable transportation is necessary.

Responsibilities

• Visitor Services (65%): Provide staffing at the front desk alongside volunteers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff. Respond to questions and phone calls on a variety of informational and interpretive topics. Provide accurate information on recreational activities, nearby attractions, and rules and regulations. Provide interpretive information on local plants and wildlife, history, and paleontology. Perform opening and closing tasks at the Interpretive Center.
• Education, Outreach, and Interpretation (25%): Assist in the preparation and presentation of environmental education and interpretive programs for school groups and other visitors. Assist in the development and writing of educational activities, field trip presentations, and interpretive programs. Perform roving interpretation inside and around the Interpretive Center. Assist with education or outreach events on and offsite.
• Other Duties as Assigned (10%): Assist with general operation and maintenance tasks at the Interpretive Center including organizational, cleaning, and grounds maintenance tasks. Assist with pollinator activities including beekeeping and native plant garden maintenance. Assist with historical research requests and archiving collection materials. Assist field staff with other activities as needed including fence removal, monitoring, or surveys.

Benefits

• Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $660/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
• This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service.
• Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.
• Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level