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 biological surveys and habitat management under the mentorship of FWS Staff at Upper Mississippi River NWFR.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May/June 2026
Estimated End Date: 34 weeks after the anticipated start date
*a 34-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1360 hours*

Location Details/Description: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, La Crosse District, Onalaska, WI

Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge has been a haven for migratory birds, fish, wildlife and people since 1924. The refuge stretches 261 river miles from Wabasha, Minnesota to Rock Island, Illinois, and protects more than 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain habitat. The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observations, and other recreation. The refuge is a Wetland of International Importance and a Globally Important Bird Area.For more information, please visit the FWS 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 Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (La Crosse District)

The Biology Member will gain a variety of experiences from forestry practices and procedures to biological surveys, facilities maintenance and visitor services. Conducting forestry surveys/inventories, shadowing biologists, foresters and natural resources managers, landscaping, sign and trail maintenance, community engagement, staffing a visitor center and assisting with educational programs are all examples of the types of experiences and duties the member may perform.

Primary duties will include: 60% will be habitat work, surveys and forestry, 30% wildlife surveys, maintenance and visitor services for the public.

• Assisting with wildlife and plant surveys, habitat management including invasive plant species identification and control, planting and seeding habitat, forestry, planting trees, forest inventory, and timber stand improvements.
• Assist with boundary and special area posting on the refuge and waters, working out of boats.
• Assist with maintenance of facilities including grounds and landscaping work and assisting refuge visitors as needed.
• Conducts forest inventories, including GPS and GIS technology and the integrated application of forest management software
• Supports forest habitat improvement work, such as site prep and timber stand improvement (TSI) actions.
• Compiles maps of forest management units and conducts tree plantings.
• Provides assistance in identifying needed forest habitat improvement projects
• Uses instruments to take measurements.
• Assists with performing refuge biological projects/surveys
• Potential for motor boat operations and UTV training, to become self-sufficient and able to operate these to access sites.

Secondary duties may include:

• Providing refuge information to the public in the refuge visitors center or on trails and other outreach events.
• Assisting refuge staff with general tasks around the duty station/office related to core position functions including data entry.
• Assisting with wildlife surveys and monitoring, following established protocols.

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, typically 5 days/week, with flexible scheduling between primary hours. 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 $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 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.

Housing Stipend: The selected candidate will also receive up to $200/week to be used for housing expenses. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Relocation Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $150 to be used for eligible relocation expenses to be split at the beginning and end of the term. Eligible relocation expenses for this position include mileage, hotels, meals, etc., and must have a receipt for reimbursement. Additional expenses must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, boots, sturdy pants, socks, outerwear, etc., 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. Specific training may include herbicide training, chainsaw, ATV/UTV, motor boat operator course or non-motorized boat course.

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.

• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• Ability to commute to and from work with a personal vehicle.
• Willingness to assist with invasive species control and removal, utilizing chemical (herbicide) and mechanical techniques.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in forestry, wildlife habitat management, or other relevant subject areas such as ecology or natural resource management.
• Previous experience or a strong interest in learning about habitat management procedures/policies, forestry management, and/or wildlife management.
• Ability to identify plants, trees and shrubs and willingness to learn.
• Ability to identify invasive plants from native plants and willingness to learn.
• Ability to work in a team and accept guidance from supervisor and other refuge staff.
• Ability to work independently.
• Willingness to work in field conditions which will include insects, poisonous plants, heat/cold, humidity, rain, etc.
• Willingness to work on, in and around water or boats.
• 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.

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 30 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 to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools. May be frequently working around high decibel units such as mud boats and airboats.
• Travel: This position may require domestic 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 ACE's online application page for this position on our website.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, 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 enrolled in a program 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.