Fish & Wildlife Steward

Position Title: Fish & Wildlife Steward – AmeriCorps 

# of Opportunities: 1

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: SRM, Grand Teton National Park, Moose, WY 83012

 Terms of Service:

• Desired Start Date: Between May 18-June 1
• Length of Service: 16-weeks
• AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 450 Hours

 Purpose:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career internship opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Grand Teton National Park will host a Fish & Wildlife Steward.

This Fish & Wildlife Steward is an AmeriCorps position. This is a unique stewardship that will expose the candidate to 4 distinct programs: 1) avian and carnivore research/management, 2) management of the human-bear interface, 3) aquatic invasive species/fisheries management, and 4) ungulate research/management. 

 Description of Duties:

Avian and Carnivore Program

• Assists with surveys for nesting raptors (bald eagles, osprey, peregrine falcons), trumpeter swans, great blue herons, sage-grouse, and yellow-billed cuckoos. 
• Completes data forms for bird surveys and enters data into databases.
• Performs radio telemetry to locate foxes, coyotes, and wolves. 
• Assists with setting up closures for nesting birds and denning canids.
• Collaborates with partners on common loon, harlequin duck, songbird, raptor, and canid research.
• Uses GPS, compass, and map to navigate off-trail.

Bear Program 

• Responds to wildlife-related traffic jams along park roadways to facilitate safe wildlife viewing opportunities.
• Provides visitors with information about bear ecology, bear safety, and ethical wildlife viewing.
• Patrols frontcountry areas, such as campgrounds and picnic areas, to look for unsecured bear attractants and educates visitors about proper food storage techniques.
• Responsible for meticulously completing bear report forms documenting bear observations and assisting with data entry into park databases.
• Sets up and maintains remote cameras.
• May assist park biologists with bear capture and handling operations.
• May operate a government motor vehicle.
• Work will include early morning (starting at 0600/6:00AM local time) and late evening (ending at 2200/10:00PM local time) shifts as well as serving weekends and holidays.

Aquatic Invasive Species/Fisheries Program

• Positively interact with park visitors with watercraft to assess risk level watercraft may pose for the carrying viable aquatic invasive species (AIS).
• Conduct decontamination procedures if watercraft is at a high risk of acting as an AIS vector.
• Safely inspect and decontaminate watercraft, often using a high temperature pressure washing unit.
• Record data accurately.
• Enter data using Survey 123.
• Assist in the execution of fisheries research projects using a variety of tools.

Ungulate Program (*work with this program will depend on the candidates backcountry experience and physical fitness).

• Conduct back-country trips to remote locations in the Tetons to install/maintain remote cameras and evaluate forage for bighorn sheep. 
• Assist with surveys to count and classify, photograph, or assess condition of ungulates (e.g. pronghorn, moose, bighorn sheep, etc.). This serve may occur in the frontcountry or in remote locations of the backcountry.
• Collect biological samples from roadkill or other ungulate carcasses. Remove ungulate carcasses from the roadway.
• Install and maintain remote cameras to monitor ungulate migrations.
• Performs data entry and basic data summaries/analyses in the office.
• Use GPS to collect information of survey locations and GIS to create basic maps.
• Actively participate in safety briefings, follow safety protocols, and report near-misses and safety concerns.
• Service includes long day trips and overnight camping in the backcountry.
• Service involves collecting data/samples in remote locations (back-country of Teton Range) under physically demanding conditions at elevations 7,000-11,000 feet in very steep, rugged terrain and extreme weather conditions while carrying a heavy backpack (≥ 50 pounds). Much of the travel is off trail.

In addition, stewards are expected to: 

• Demonstrate a courteous, customer service attitude with visitors as well as colleagues. 
• Follow National Park Service, Grand Teton and work group procedures and policies. 
• When in uniform or perceived to be a park representative, Steward supports and explains (or refers to someone who can) agency policies in a nonpartisan, courteous way. 
• Follow designated chain of communication and consult supervisor when uncertain.
• Contribute to a safe, positive serving environment. Grand Teton has zero tolerance for hostile behavior in the workplace.
• Carry out all duties in a collaborative, professional and respectful manner. 
• Use government vehicles and equipment according to policy. 

 
Eligibility Requirements:

• United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
• At least 17 years of age
• Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award
• Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
• Able to pass a MVR check and has had license for at least three year or 21 years of age to be insured for driving. 

Preferred Qualifications

• We are looking for someone enthusiastic, eager to learn and excited to contribute.
• Must  be able to collect, and record detailed and accurate data. 
• Must be organized and have good communication skills as Steward will be coordinating with multiple program managers. 
• Must be flexible and willing to adapt to changing conditions at a moments notice.
• A background in resource management, wildlife management, parks and recreation management, biology or a related field is desirable. 
• Must be able to hike up to 15 miles per day in varied terrain, carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Comfortable traveling and serving in steep, rocky terrain
• Must be willing to serve around potentially dangerous large mammals, including grizzly bears, black bears, and moose.
• Must be comfortable interfacing with the public and serving along busy park roadways.

Benefits:

• Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $1,956.35
• Living Allowance of $600 per week.
• Additional Benefit of $88 per week.
• Housing Provided: YES
• Loan forbearance if Eligible
• Interest Payments if Eligible 

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

Stewards Contact information:

Service Site Contact information: Kate Wilmot, Branch Manager of Fish and Wildlife, katharine_wilmot@nps.gov

Our Commitment:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full consideration of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential job functions. Physical requirements may include periodic overnight travel, non-traditional work hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. The ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.  

 Time Requirements:

• Typically, this position is expected to serve 5-4-9s (9-hours days with alternating four- and five-day work weeks), but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service 
• Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

Orientation and Training:

• Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

Evaluation and Reporting:

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.