Visitor Services Member - Sherburne NWR

Visitor Services Member - Sherburne NWR 

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one (1) Member to contribute to visitor and community engagement, environmental education, and volunteer support under the mentorship of Sherburne NWR Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: March 16, 2026
Estimated End Date: December 18, 2026
*a 40 week minimum commitment is required *

 

Location Details/Description: Sherburne NWR- Zimmerman, MN

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is located in Sherburne County, in east central Minnesota, about 50 miles northwest of the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area. The 30,700 acre refuge was established in 1965 at the urging of local conservationists and hunters interested in restoring the wildlife values of the St. Francis River Basin, which had been altered by a series of drainage ditches and agricultural production. Following that, Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge became and remains the largest public land holding in Sherburne County. The refuge is now a wild remnant at the meeting of the western prairies and the northern woods, with oak savanna, prairie opening, forest, wetland and riverine habitats.

In addition to work at Sherburne NWR, the ACE member may occasionally assist with projects at other FWS sites within the Sherburne NWR Complex. This complex includes Crane Meadows NWR (Little Falls, MN), Rice Lake NWR (McGregor, MN), and Mille Lacs NWR (Lake Mille Lacs).

For more information about the refuge, 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. The member will contribute to the FWS and refuge’s mission by assisting with general visitor services including engaging visitors and volunteers, supporting educational programming, and assisting with outreach and special events. Responsibilities and Duties will include:

• Greet visitors at visitor contact station and at areas around the refuge and orient them to the refuge and areas of interest for a relevant, safe and enjoyable visit.
• Assist with planning and operations of special events.
• Develop and present a variety of formal and informal programs including illustrated talks, guided walks and hands-on demonstrations for children and family audiences based on the nature of Sherburne NWR.
• Support the development and delivery of on-site and off-site environmental education programs tailored to children K-4th grade.
• Assist with volunteer management, including organizing orientations, trainings, and coordinating volunteer groups to support refuge activities.
• Support public outreach by creating display materials, writing articles and newsletters, and representing the refuge at community events.
• Collaborate with refuge Friends groups on various events, social media content, and other projects.
• Complete special projects in alignment with refuge needs and member's interests and skills.

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 be carried out Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm Central Time, averaging 40 hours per week. Some evening and weekend hours may be required for refuge events and outreach opportunities.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $850/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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS. 

Gear Allowance: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, boots, 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 refuge orientation, front desk operations, safety plans, defensive driving, basics of environmental education, volunteer database management, and interpretive practices.  

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. 
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold a college degree or be pursuing relevant coursework in environmental education, English, journalism, public relations, communications, biology or related field of study and/or equivalent professional experience. 
• Ability and willingness to interact with the public in outdoor and customer service settings, speak to groups of various ages and backgrounds, and work with volunteers and Friends groups.
• Deep interest in public service, community work, and connecting people to nature. 
• Knowledge of the FWS and their mission, interpretive writing and/or speaking, and environmental education.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions: 

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent talking, standing, walking, hearing, and sitting. Ability to walk or travel over rough and uneven terrain on natural surface trails sometimes in backcountry conditions is required.Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse, and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. 
• 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 10 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled. Some services will include activities outdoors in hot/cold weather, rain/precipitation, and other seasonal conditions.
• 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 Member Manager, Mac Utter. 

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.