Forest and Conservation Worker jobs in Louisiana

Youth Conservation Corps Crew Lead - Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), is seeking one Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) Crew Lead Member to contribute to the YCC program alongside Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex Staff.

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

Start Date: May 28, 2024

Estimated End Date: August 2, 2024

*a 10-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex - Lake Arthur, LA

The Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex consists of four federal wildlife refuges located in southwest Louisiana: Cameron Prairie, Sabine, Lacassine, and Shell Keys. Each of these national wildlife refuges was created to support, protect, and provide winter habitat for migratory waterfowl. The more than 184,000 acres of land contained within boundaries of the four National Wildlife Refuges in southwest Louisiana supports numerous species of both plants and wildlife.For more information about Southwest Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge Complex, please visit: Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge | U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (fws.gov)

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 Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge.

The Youth Conservation Corps is a summer employment program for young people ages 15-18. YCC Crew Leads will work alongside the Corps members to guide and lead their daily work.

The YCC focuses on youth development, natural resource stewardship and conservation, creating positive community involvement and career exploration. Participants gain a variety of experiences from biological monitoring to facilities maintenance and visitor services. Conducting biological monitoring surveys, shadowing biologists, landscaping, sign maintenance, trail construction and maintenance, community engagement, staffing a visitor center and assisting with educational programs are all examples of the types of experiences these Corps members may have depending on the refuge and the particular needs of the station.

Primary Duties:

• Assist refuge staff with program planning and development of YCC activities and resources.
• Guide and direct YCC members in all phases of work projects to ensure a positive YCC program experience.
• Model and adhere to safety protocols to ensure the safety of the group.
• Manage resources appropriately (time, supplies, vehicles, equipment, and personnel).
• Support special events and outreach activities to promote the refuge and its mission.
• Collect and report accurate and detailed project data as needed including: YCC member timesheets, evaluations, and disciplinary forms.
• Communicate regularly with refuge staff to provide updates on youth crew accomplishments and challenges.

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: Monday-Friday, 7am to 3:30 pm.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/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 information online: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements

Housing: **Local candidates encouraged to apply** Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots/outerwear and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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.

Scholarship Funding Opportunity: The selected candidate(s) for this position will be eligible to apply for ACE's Access and Inclusion Scholarship. This is a $500 scholarship which is intended to make participation in ACE positions more accessible to individuals who are underrepresented in the conservation field. Scholarship recipients will be able to allocate this funding to financial need(s) of their choosing. A limited number of scholarships are available.

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 two-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.
• 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 education and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, natural resources, environmental education, biology, etc.
• Enthusiasm for interacting with people. Experience in youth development programs and/or community building preferred.
• This position requires adaptability, as work plans can change at the last minute. Ideal candidates will be able to multitask and shift priorities to meet changing conditions.

• This position requires time management skills, to ensure that all tasks are completed within the scheduled work hours.
• Ability to tolerate high temperatures, high humidity, insect bites and wildlife encounters.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 20 lbs., ability to move up to 50 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. 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 the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/1086964. Early consideration will be given as resumes 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, Cait Dunne, at cdunne@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.