Invasive Species Strike Team Member - Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge

Start Date: February 8, 2027 Estimated End Date: April 30, 2027a 12-week minimum commitment is required Location Details/Description Cabeza Prieta NWR, Ajo, AZLocated in southwest Arizona, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge was originally established in 1939 as a Game Range "for the conservation and development of natural wildlife resources". In March of 1975, Cabeza Prieta Game Range was re-established as Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and became part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Encompassing 860,000 acres, CPNWR provides valuable habitat for Sonoran Desert wildlife. In 1990, the passage of the Arizona Desert Wilderness Act designated 803,418 acres (93 percent) of CPNWR as wilderness. It is the ancestral homeland of the Hia C-ed O'odham. For more information about Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: 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.

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website. HousingACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Gear ReimbursementACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, work boots, work pants, outerwear, hat, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. Provided Training/OrientationACE 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, 4WD training provided by FWS, guidance on invasive plant surveying and ID, as well as control techniques.

Preferred: Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, wildlife management, natural resource management, parks and recreation, rangeland management, or other related disciplines appropriate to the position. Knowledge of/experience in plant identification, habitat restoration, and/or invasive species management. Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps with little staff oversight Skill in maintaining and safely operating motorized vehicles Interest in working/camping in remote back country environments Experience and/or knowledge with GIS software Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions

Physical Demands: Entails hiking in rugged terrain, stooping, kneeling, crouching, carrying heavy fencing materials, and tool and computer use.

Vision Requirements: The ability to find small scattered plants or other organisms on broad landscapes and to identify plants by paying attention to small details. Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 35 lbs., ability to move up to 75 pounds. Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as heavy equipment, hand and power tools.

Travel: This position does not require travel, though camping near work sites to reduce travel time into the refuge will occur 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 heat in southern Arizona can be intense. If you have a history of heat stroke, please consider whether this is a good position for you to apply for due to health risks. Daytime temperatures are generally between 85 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures occasionally rising over 100 degrees Fahrenheit even in the spring months. Local hazards include rattlesnakes, bees, and rough, uneven terrain. 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/SafetyIf 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. 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.EEOEmployment 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.