Monarch Monitoring Member - Big Muddy National Fish And Wildlife Refuge

Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Member to contribute to monarch monitoring projects under the mentorship of Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Staff. Start Date July/August 2026 Estimated End Date November 2026 (14 weeks after the anticipated start date). *14-week minimum commitment is required* Location Details/Description Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge – Boonville, MO. The lower Missouri River is the largest free-flowing river in the United States, encompassing nearly 1.5 million acres of bottomland habitat for fish, wildlife and plants. Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge was established in 1994 to advance the conservation and protection of fish and wildlife resources. The refuge focuses on restoring resources in the Missouri River floodplain on the river's final 367 miles to its confluence with the Mississippi River, from St. Louis to Kansas City. Currently, the refuge has 23 separate units, encompassing over 22,000 acres of wildlife habitat. Position Overview The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is 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 Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Primary Duties Include Biological assessments of milkweed patches for monarch butterflies. Assist with other refuge projects including biological surveys and restoration projects. Assist with public engagement and educational opportunities. Secondary Duties Include Mapping, management of invasive plants, and general maintenance duties. Members may travel to nearby refuges. Physical removal of invasive plants using hand tools. Assisting with the application of general-use pesticides. General refuge maintenance such as trail maintenance, fence building and boundary posting. Schedule Mon-Fri, 7:30 am – 4:00 pm. Days and hours may vary throughout the position. Position Benefits Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours per week and will receive a living allowance of $600 per week to offset food and incidental expenses, disbursed 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 term is shorter than 16 weeks, the hours served may be combined with another term to meet the 640-hour requirement. PLC projects have specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and is not provided by ACE or FWS. Gear Reimbursement: ACE members may receive up to $100 to purchase approved gear such as boots, socks and outerwear. Provided Training / Orientation: ACE members will receive position-specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures. Specific FWS training may include ATV/UTV training, defensive driver training, herbicide application and GIS/GPS. Qualifications Required: Must be authorized to work in the United States; no visa sponsorship provided. Ready to represent ACE and its partners professionally, positively and enthusiastically. Can work independently and as part of a team. Valid driver’s license and insurable driving record; members must be 21 or older. Must undergo and pass required criminal history checks. Can perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation. Will complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning-term feedback, end-term evaluations and, for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation. Will not engage in activities prohibited by the Member Service Agreement. Can multitask, shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions. Can work independently, in a team, and accept guidance from supervisors and refuge staff. Can travel across the refuge and to other refuges for monitoring and invasive-species duties. Assists with public engagement and educational opportunities. To learn more about eligibility, visit the website. Preferred: Currently pursuing or holding a 4-year college degree in or related to natural resources, biology, ecology or a similar field. Able to pull or remove invasive plants with hand tools. Willing to apply general-use pesticides with appropriate safety equipment, and trained in safe handling. Can identify invasive plants and distinguish them from natives, and willing to learn. Knowledge of plant identification, habitat restoration and/or invasive-species management. Experience or knowledge with database systems. Experience with GPS equipment. Experience with common hand tools and simple power equipment. Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions Physical Demands: Frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, handling, reaching, speaking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for tools, computer keyboard, mouse. Must stoop, kneel, climb stairs or crouch. Ability to hike rough terrain and possibly camp overnight. Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth-perception vision as well as focusing ability. Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently move up to 25 lbs, up to 40 lbs. Environmental: Outdoor and indoor; conditions can change; work under adverse weather and various climates. Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise from chainsaws, hand and power tools, or a business office. Travel: Frequent driving and domestic travel. Day trips may involve 2-4 hours of drive; primary sites near FWS headquarters and Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Environmental Conditions / Hazards ACE members may encounter extreme heat or cold, wet and windy weather, rocky terrain, mud, swamp, or wetland conditions, biting insects, dense vegetation, poison ivy, pollen and potentially dangerous wildlife. Hazards include mixing herbicides according to product labels, operating UTVs, loading/unloading UTVs, and operating battery-powered hand tools such as saws and drills. Vehicle and Equipment Use / Safety If a vehicle is required, one will be provided by FWS or ACE. Tools required for duties will be supplied by FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE 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 or academic references to ACE’s online application page. Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have questions, contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager, Shannon Borowy. 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 United States. EEO Statement 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr American Conservation Experience