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GIS and Data Management Member

American Conservation Experience
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GIS and Data Management Member - USFWS Habitat and Population Evaluation Team   

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 GIS and data management projects under the mentorship of FWS Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: February 2026 (flexible)
Estimated End Date: August 2026
*a 26 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1040 hours*

 

Location Details/Description: Habitat and Population Evaluation Team, Bismarck, ND, Fergus Falls, MN, or other DOI facility locations (negotiable). 

The Habitat and Population Evaluation Team (HAPET) is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service). The HAPET offices support the conservation mission of the Service by integrating scientific data and landscape-scale conservation planning with a focus on migratory birds. This enables the Service to more effectively conserve and manage wildlife and their habitats for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation partners.


 

HAPET was established to conduct waterfowl population and habitat monitoring, program assessment, and support landscape-level conservation delivery for refuges (NWRs and Wetland Management Districts) and the Prairie Pothole Joint Venture within the Prairie Pothole Region of Minnesota, Montana, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota. HAPET has since evolved to include many other migratory bird issues as well as assist or lead special projects associated with other trust resources for the Service.  HAPET’s role is to conduct and support scientific investigations, data gathering, and analyses that focus on solving priority problems and issues that are generally landscape-oriented and appropriate for solving with spatially explicit information, analyses, and associated  technologies. 

For more information about the Habitat and Population Evaluation Team, 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, and plants for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission.

The Member will become familiar with the Habitat and Population Evaluation Team and ongoing biological monitoring and data analysis projects. The Member will support a project to migrate historical wetland data from the four-square mile survey from an obsolete platform and to a new format for archival and use. This project is critical to make data publicly available and useful. The Member will also have the opportunity to work with HAPET and other USFWS staff on projects critical to the National Wildlife Refuge System and in support of the priorities of the Department of the Interior. The Member will primarily gain experience in data management/analysis using geospatial tools, but the member may have the opportunity to support other projects as available, including conducting field surveys and collecting bird, wetland, and other biological data. 

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and daily supervision of USFWS staff in the accomplishment of:


 

  • Data management and analysis (Primary Duties)
    • Digitizing wetlands and grasslands using ArcPro
    • Data entry and management of biological data using Microsoft Excel, AGOL Survey123, R, and other software
    • Data summarization and basic data analysis using Program R or other software. 
    • Work will require sitting at a computer terminal for long periods (up to 8 hrs daily) and using multiple screens and digitizing tablets. 
  • Field surveys (Secondary Duties, as project allows)
    • Collecting bird abundance, wetland surface water extent, and other related field data over uneven terrain and in adverse weather conditions. Surveys may require walking on foot several miles, walking in waders, riding on UTV/ATVs, using binoculars and spotting scopes, and data entry into electronic tablets. 

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. 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 $1000/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 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.  Eligible gear for this position includes office attire, field gear, hiking boots, backpack, work pants, 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 defensive driving certification, job hazard assessments, information and technology awareness, ethics, harassment awareness, and others. 


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. 

Preferred:

  • Competitive applicants for this position hold a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in the natural resources field and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as natural resource management, GIS, wildlife biology, and/or other related disciplines related to this position.
  • Knowledge of data management, data analytics, data entry, and data summarization
  • Experience using various data management software: Microsoft Excel, AGOL Survey 123, ArcPro, Program R 
  • Experience identifying birds by sight and sound
  • Deep interest in wildlife conservation and the USFWS mission.


 

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. 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 10 lbs., ability to move up to 25 pounds.
  • Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates. Indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
  • Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic. 
  • 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 Program Manager, Johannah McCollum. 

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.