Invasive Species Strike Team Biology Member- San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking three (3) Invasive Species Strike Team Biology Members) to contribute to nutria trapping and invasive species removal projects under the mentorship of San Luis NWR Complex Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date : January 12th, 2026

Estimated End Date : October 30th, 2026

• a 42-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1680 hours

Location Details / Description : San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Los Banos, CA with occasional travel to other refuges for short periods of time to conduct invasive species treatment or monitoring for a variety of plant and animal species.

San Luis National Wildlife Refuge encompasses over 26,800 acres of wetlands, riparian woodlands, native grasslands, and vernal pools. Located in California's San Joaquin Valley, the refuge is a major wintering ground and migratory stopover point for large concentrations of waterfowl, shorebirds, and other waterbirds. A thriving population of tule elk is showcased by one of three auto tour routes.

For more information about San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex, please visit the FWS website.

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 San Luis National Wildlife Refuge Complex and other refuges in the Pacific Southwest Region (California, Nevada, and the Klamath Basin in Oregon).

Members will be part of a seasonal invasive species strike team which surveys for and controls priority invasive species for the region, primarily nutria ( Myocastor coypus) on and adjacent to the Refuge Complex. Invasive species pose a significant threat to fish and wildlife resources on refuge lands and nutria also pose a threat to infrastructure and agricultural assets of California. Nutria eradication efforts will be carried out under the direction of an invasive species strike team lead, and in coordination with state, local, and private partners. Government vehicles will be provided to travel to and from field sites, but it will often be necessary to traverse wetlands and other water bodies in hot, sunny conditions while wearing waders. Strike team biologists may often conduct field work independently and in inclement weather. They will transport and use kayaks or other non-motorized boats on slow moving waterways. The strike team will provide capacity needed to adequately detect and remove nutria in the area during the times of year when they are most abundant as well as collect and process data to contribute to reports. They will also provide the region with a flexible and nimble team that is able to respond to other priority invasive species needs throughout the region.

The primary responsibilities of this role will be conducting nutria eradication activities on the Refuge Complex (~70%), but biologists may also conduct invasive plant treatment using physical, mechanical, and chemical methods and perform other invasive species monitoring and removal as needed on the Refuge Complex and at other NWRs in the Pacific Southwest Region, or Region 8. The team may make several trips to other refuges where they will stay in bunk houses or other housing and conduct tours of 5-14 days to work on priority projects. They would receive training on the different invasive plant treatment methods, data collection, nutria trapping and humane dispatch, and there will be opportunities for other training, such as chainsaw, off-road utility vehicle, agricultural tractor, heavy equipment, and boat operation.

Each member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks :

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 primarily be carried out Monday - Friday (generally from 6 : 00 am to 2 : 30 pm). Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours, including over 8-hour work days and working on weekends and / or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to FWS and ACE for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance : The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours / week and will receive a living allowance of $1000 / 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.

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

Gear Reimbursement : ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, pants, outerwear, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. FWS will provide all necessary personal protective equipment and other safety gear.

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. Specific training may include pellet gun instruction, invasive plant treatment methods, data collection, nutria trapping and humane dispatch, chainsaw, motorboat operation, and other FWS-sponsored training that may come up during the term.

Qualifications

Required :

Preferred :

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions :

Physical Demands : Requires physical exertion such as walking long distances over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.

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. 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.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 Ian McGufficke

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.