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Wildlife & Natural Resources Management Intern
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Title: Wildlife & Natural Resources Management Intern
Start/End Date: July 8, 2024 – November 22, 2024 (anticipated)
Term Length: 20 Weeks
Living Stipend: $600/week
Additional Housing Allowance: $250/week
Reports To: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and Department of Defense-Wildlife & Natural Resources Program Manager
Location: Dyess Air Force Base-1518 Arnold Blvd, Abilene, TX
Status: 675-hour AmeriCorps Service Term
Benefits: $750 travel and training funds; Public Lands Corps Certificate* (that allows for competitive hiring for USA jobs/government jobs) and AmeriCorps Education Award $2,626 - both with successful completion of the internship; health insurance eligible.
AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, protect clean air and water, and help to mitigate the effects of climate change among other environmental efforts.
Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)
Conservation Corps New Mexico, a program of Conservation Legacy and AmeriCorps partner, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across New Mexico and Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.
Mentorship
These Individual Placement Positions are unique development opportunities. Interns are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; provide an introduction to numerous pathways within the conservation field; and create accessible, meaningful, learning opportunities and experiences for interns.
Position Summary:
Under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and working in cooperation with the Department of Defense (DOD), the Military Lands Conservation Program manages and improves the natural resources on military lands. This management is accomplished through a variety of scientific surveying, installing outreach signage and recreational facilities (ex. duck blinds), physically eradicating invasive plant species, and planting native species. Scientific surveys include small mammal trapping, plant identification and surveys of birds, bats, insects, Texas Horned Lizard and more.
Dyess Air force Base covers just under 6,000 acres with a FWS Biologist working in the 7th Civil Engineer Squadrons Environmental Section in the role of Natural Resources Manager. This position requires many responsibilities such as updating plans, maintaining equipment/vehicle logs, attending Air Force and FWS meetings, conducting outreach programs, and overseeing outdoor recreation programs such as fishing in addition to regular biologist duties.
The intern will assist the Biologist with keeping up the flow of field projects which are mandated to be completed according to the installation Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan as well as the Sikes Act and other state and federal laws. By assisting with field projects, the intern will benefit base wildlife, improve native habitats, and enhance outdoor recreational opportunities for military members and their families.
Intern will also gain professional development in the natural resources management field by receiving guidance from the FWS Biologist on different wildlife biologist duties, methods, and techniques for wildlife surveys and management. Intern will have the opportunity to attend key meetings regarding development, wildlife conflicts, and inter-agency interactions. Intern will also be exposed to both FWS and DOD agencies.
Essential Responsibilities and Functions:
· Fish Pond Management
o Monitor water quality using YSI Multi probe.
o Monitor for algae blooms and treat blooms accordingly with herbicide.
o Monitor and maintain supplemental fish feeder.
· Bird Surveys
o Work with supervisor on learning where survey locations are across the installation.
o Properly ID birds by visual observation and calling, singing etc.
o Properly document data sheets.
o Monitor current weather conditions during surveys.
· Small Mammal Surveys
o Properly and ethically handle wildlife.
o Set Sherman traps and camera traps.
o Properly ID small mammals that inhabit Texas.
· Pollinator Surveys
o Capture & release pollinator species.
o Identify local Bumble Bee Species.
o Record data correctly for proper reporting.
· Acoustic Bat Monitoring
o Program acoustic monitors.
o Properly set up and place monitoring equipment.
o Transfer data from SD cards to computer for data interpretation.
· Improve Wood Duck Nesting at Lake Totten
o Use hand tools to build wood duck box and mounting pole.
o Install boxes in appropriate spots on the lake to increase wood duck use.
o Work with Air Force heavy equipment operators to mount boxes properly.
· Prescribed Fire
o Assist Biologist with planning and pre-burn fuel monitoring.
· Grassland Habitat Restoration
o General ID of grass & forb species.
o Herbicide application to help control woody encroachment.
o Observe heavy equipment operators conducting tree density reduction.
Trainings Provided:
· Proper use of water monitor equipment and data recording, how to spot potential algae issues that could cause fish kill, how to treat algae blooms, how and why fish are provided supplemental feed, proper fish feeder maintenance.
· Bird ID in the Rolling Plains Ecological Region of Texas, proper weather data recording, proper method for filling out data sheets, how to traverse the installation and access monitoring sites.
· Proper handling of small mammals, how to set traplines effectively, local small mammal ID.
· Proper handling of pollinators, local Bumble Bee ID.
· How to program acoustic monitors, how to set up and place monitors effectively.
· How to safely use tools to effectively build materials used by wildlife, how to work with other organizations to benefit wildlife habitat.
· How, why and when prescribed fires are carried out, education about benefits of prescribed fire to the regional landscape.
· ID of local grass, forb and woody species, how to properly mix, transport and apply herbicide safely, reasons for these management practices and how they affect the landscape in short- and long-term time frames.
Working Conditions:
· Extreme heat, general wet conditions; lifting/carrying heavy objects; exposure and use of herbicide; walking long distances; operation of 4x4 vehicle in wet conditions/off-road; wildlife handling; handling species that could sting and cause allergic reaction; working with heavy equipment and hand tools; smoke inhalation is of critical concern during prescribed burns.
Minimum Qualifications:
· Per federal grant requirements, this internship is for young adults between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service.
· U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident.
· Valid driver’s license.
· Personal vehicle for transportation outside of work.
· Working on or completed a Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Management, Land Management or a similar field.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Experience working in the outdoors.
Physical Requirements:
· To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
· Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.
· Reasonable accommodation may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Participant Essential Eligibility Requirements/Participation and Expedition Behavior:
· Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
· Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
· Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
· Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
· Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
· Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
Safety and Judgment:
· Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
· Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.
· Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
· If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.
Substance Free:
· In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
Background Check:
A DOI/DOD background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report to duty. FWS/Dyess AFB will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after an intern has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start the internship. This process will determine the internship’s exact start date.
Interns will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Interns must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.
*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, interns must be between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service.
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, political affiliation, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
To Apply: Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://corpsnm.org/individual-placement-openings . Consideration will be given as resumes are received and this position may close at any time. If you have questions, contact CCNM’s Individual Placement Program Coordinator, SamJean Simmons at ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org.
For more information about Conservation Corps New Mexico, please visit www.corpsnm.org. Conservation Corps New Mexico is a program of Conservation Legacy.
This position is located at Dyess Air Force Base-1518 Arnold Blvd, Abilene, TX, Abilene, TX. View the Google Map in full screen.