Riparian Restoration Member - Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge

Summary : American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 3 Members to work under the mentorship of FWS Staff to conduct riparian restoration to support floodplain health and bison management and ensure safe implementation.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date : December 2025

Estimated End Date : June 2026

• a 26-week minimum commitment is required

Location Details / Description : Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge - Commerce City, CO

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is located just northeast of Denver and is a 15,000-acre expanse of prairie, wetland and woodland habitat. The land has a unique story - it has survived the test of time and transitioned from farmland, to war-time manufacturing site, to wildlife sanctuary. It may be one of the finest conservation success stories in history and a place where wildlife thrives.

Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR is part of the Colorado Front Range National Wildlife Refuge Complex which consists of Rocky Flats NWR, Two Ponds NWR, and Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs.

For more information, please visit the Rocky Mountain National Wildlife Arsenal 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 Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge.

Member will gain experience in the wide array of habitat and public lands management by working, learning, and networking with various staff members. Past Members have shared that being able to work alongside staff like this has helped them refine and narrow their future careers and understand how FWS serves the American public in a variety of different ways.

Supportive duties include :

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. 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 on weekends and / or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance : The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours / week and will receive a living allowance of $830 / 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 at usaconservation dot org.

Housing : Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

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 for habitat management and refuge operations will include safe operation of heavy equipment, off-road vehicles, and other equipment used.

Qualifications

Required :

Preferred :

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions :

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 usaconservation dot org. 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, Mac Utter.

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.