Invasive Species Strike Team Member - Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge

Summary:

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking two (2) Members to contribute to habitat restoration, invasive plant management, and biological survey projects under the mentorship of Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: July 6, 2026 (flexible)

Estimated End Date: November 20, 2026

*a 19-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, Eagle Lake, TX 77434

Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge (APCNWR) was established in 1972 to provide habitat for one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater's Prairie-Chicken (APC), a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie ecosystem. This habitat once spanned over 6 million acres from Corpus Christi to southwest Louisiana but has since been reduced to less than 1% of its previous extent. What remains of this critical habitat is highly fragmented, primarily from urban sprawl and conversion to agricultural operations. Concurrent with this habitat reduction, APC populations have similarly declined resulting in it becoming one of the most endangered birds in North America. The 11,083-acre APCNWR offers one of the last hopes for survival of this unique bird. APCNWR is located approximately 60 miles west of Houston, Texas and is home to one of the largest remnants of native coastal prairie in southeast Texas.

APCNWR is one of a handful of national wildlife refuges established specifically for endangered species. The refuge is managed to maintain or improve native coastal prairie communities for APC reintroduction and survival. Management of this bird's habitat benefits all native wildlife that inhabits this coastal prairie habitat. The refuge is one of the few places to get a glimpse into the past of what the Houston area used to look like before European settlement, where spring wildflowers, deer, prairie-chickens, and other iconic species coexisted in the tall-grass coastal prairie.

For more information about Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management, and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. This position will focus on both habitat management via invasive species removal and APC conservation by documenting APC survival after release, feeding APCs in acclimation pens, and assisting with APC retrieval from captive breeding partners.

Specific tasks include:

Habitat management (~50% of duties):

• Manage APC habitat via chemical and/or mechanical treatments of invasive and woody plants
• Evaluate efficacy of invasive plant treatments utilizing provided protocols and geospatial tools
• Maintain thorough records of project activities (using GPS/GIS technologies) and assist with computer data entry and project summarization
• Collect weekly precipitation data

APC tracking and husbandry (~40% of duties):

• Track released APCs via telemetry to detect mortality and quantify post-release survival
• Assist staff with on-site APC husbandry by feeding birds in acclimation pens and maintaining/repairing pens
• Assist staff with preparations for APC retrieval from captive breeding facilities (preparing transport equipment, updating databases, etc.)
• Assist staff with retrieval of APCs from captive breeding facilities (banding and measuring juvenile APCs, ensuring safe transport, releasing APCs into acclimation pens)
• Assist with night captures of APCs to deploy GPS transmitters (tentative)

Public outreach, visitor services and independent project (~10% of duties):

• Assist staff with monthly van tours for the public and other visitor/outreach needs (tabling at events,giving presentations, etc.)
• Develop an independent project in an area of interest (i.e. wildlife conservation, data management, geospatial analysis, habitat restoration, etc.)

This position is intended to facilitate professional development and promote exposure to partner land management agencies as well as providing networking opportunities. Gaining experience in different conservation fields and shadowing different work groups will facilitate a diverse experience for the selected applicant. Opportunities to network and work with other biologists, technicians, and staff at nearby refuges will be available (i.e. Aransas NWR, Trinity River NWR, San Bernard NWR, etc.).

Schedule: Work will generally be conducted Monday to Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm. Member may assist with weekend APC feeding while birds are in acclimation pens (mid-July through late August). The ACE Member is not to exceed 80 hours in a biweekly period. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work to be performed outside of normal work hours, including weekends, evenings, and/or holidays. Time off may be granted with requests directed to ACE and USFWS supervisor(s) 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 (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.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 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/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 USFWS Defensive Driver training and USFWS ATV/UTV training and may include GIS training as well.

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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

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 biology, natural resource management, ecology, botany, or another related subject area.
• Knowledge of/experience with identifying and monitoring invasive plant species.
• Knowledge of/experience with safely mixing and applying herbicides to invasive plants.
• Experience with radio telemetry tracking of wildlife.
• Experience with UTV and/or ATV operation.
• Experience working in hot, humid climates and inclement weather.
• Experience using Field Maps and/or Survey123 for field data collection.
• Knowledge of plant identification for coastal prairie species.
• Basic knowledge of hand and power tools.
• Ability to embrace travel opportunities as they arise to other nearby Refuges.

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 count animals through binoculars or a scope
• 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 gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position does not require 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 Member Manager, Cait Dunne.

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.