Fisheries Biological Support Members, Puget Sound / Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex

Fisheries Biological Support Members, Puget Sound / Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex

Summary

American Conservation Experience (ACE), a non-profit conservation corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking TWO Fisheries Biological Support Members to contribute to fishery resource monitoring projects alongside Puget Sound / Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex and Joint Base Lewis-McChord Staff.

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

Start Date : Feb / March 2025

Estimated End Date : Depends on start date

• 35-week commitment required, with potential for 10-week extension

Location Details / Description : Puget Sound / Olympic Peninsula Complex, Lacey, WA

For more information about Puget Sound / Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex, please visit the website for any of the four complex facilities :

For more information on the Western Washington Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, please visit its USFWS website.

For more information about Makah National Fish Hatchery, please visit its USFWS website.

For more information about Quilcene National Fish Hatchery, please visit its USFWS website.

For more information on the Quinault National Fish Hatchery, please visit its USFWS website.

For more information on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, please visit its US Army 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 the mission at Puget Sound / Olympic Peninsula Fish and Aquatic Conservation Complex while also supporting our Tribal and military partner's conservation objectives. The fish and aquatic monitoring includes providing field, lab, and hatchery support for a diversity of projects. Field sampling and hatchery evaluation efforts (bio sampling and sample processing) will be primary roles. While the member will primarily assist specific biologists, opportunities to support other projects will be permitted when the schedule allows to maximize experience diversification. This opportunity is intended for enthusiastic young professionals with a deep interest in advancing their career goals in fish and aquatic conservation science. Overnight travel may be required. Overnight lodging and meals during travel will be covered through a travel stipend.

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.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS and Joint Base Lewis-McChord staff in the following tasks :

Schedule : Duties are tentatively carried out between 8 : 00am and 4 : 30pm Pacific, Monday-Friday, 5 days / week (5 / 8s) but a 4 / 10-hour days per week is not uncommon . Work hours will likely vary due to a dynamic schedule that depends on project, site location, and season. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including early field work departures (6 : 00am) and / or late returns (6 : 00pm) depending on the season and field project. 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 $700 / week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program : This position may be eligible for a 1200-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2024 / 25 grant year program, valued up to $5,176.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 1200 hrs.

Loan Forbearance : AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

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 usaconservation website.

Housing : 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 and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Relocation Allowance : ACE members will have access to up t o $1000 to be used for eligible relocation expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

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 : T he 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 :

Preferred :

Technical Methods :

Biological Sciences :

Data Analysis :

Equipment :

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions :

Environmental Conditions / Hazards : The ACE members may encounter environmental conditions / hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, wading in deep / swift water, 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. This position includes the inherent risk of working around water and watercraft, as well as the risks associated with the operation of electrofishing units. An array of mandatory training will be provided upon initiation of the position.

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. The service involves regular and recurring moderate risks or discomforts which require special safety precautions. This position will require an understanding of the communication plan, and a basic level of comfort using both cellular and inReach devices. Members are required to use protective clothing or gear such as hard hats, masks, gowns, earplugs, coats, boots, goggles, gloves, or shields to moderate risks, or to follow procedures for minimizing risk.

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 on our website at usaconservation dot org . 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 Program Manager Nich Jackosky at njackosky at usaconservation dot org.

ACE values an inclusive workforce - 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 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.