Biology Individual Placement
Position Title: Biology Individual Placement – AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico
Site Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
21088 State Highway 115, Cache, OK, 73527
Terms of Service:
· Start Date: 5/11/26 (anticipated)
· End Date: 9/11/26 (anticipated)
· AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours
COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION
Purpose:
AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, and protect clean air and water among other environmental efforts.
Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)
As part of Conservation Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across New Mexico and parts of Texas and Oklahoma that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.
Mentorship
These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; introduce participants to numerous pathways within the conservation field; create meaningful learning
opportunities; and provide technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.
The Biology Program at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge supports the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) mission by conserving and managing native wildlife, plants, and habitats. The program ensures the ecological integrity of the refuge through scientific monitoring, species management, habitat restoration, invasive species control, and research-based decision-making. The department provides technical expertise to guide refuge operations, maintain healthy ecosystems, and protect natural resources for present and future generations.
The selected candidate will directly contribute to the stewardship of native ecosystems by assisting with chemical control of non-native and invasive plant species, field surveys, and science-based management activities. These contributions help protect wildlife, improve habitat conditions, and increase the refuge’s long-term capacity to deliver effective conservation outcomes.
There will be several opportunities for the individual placement to shadow professionals working in various fields within the Refuge including Biology/Wildlife Management, Fire Management, Visitor Services/Education, and Refuge Management/Administration.
Description of Duties:
· Invasive Species Treatment
o Chemically treat invasive species, primarily Johnsongrass and Old-world bluestem across the refuge.
o Collect treatment location using Field Maps and Survey 123.
o Use ATV/UTV to access field locations and treat invasive species.
o Keep detailed chemical use log utilizing Survey 123.
· Texas horned lizard project
o Assist biology program staff with Texas horned lizard surveys.
o Assist with capture and handling of Texas horned lizards.
o Utilize Field Maps and Survey 123 for data collection.
· White-tailed deer
o Assist biology program with spot-light white-tailed deer surveys.
o Assist with data collection and data entry.
Conditions: Working in extreme heat/wet/humid conditions, walking long distances on uneven terrain, carrying equipment, use of tools increases exposure to injury; operating a 4x4 vehicle off road; carrying objects greater than 40 lbs.; exposure to herbicides; encounters with wildlife such as snakes or large mammals; handling and exposure to species that could bite, sting, or cause allergic reaction such as snakes, bees, ticks, mosquito, fleas, and poison ivy; potential exposure to allergens.
Qualifications:
· 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.
· Valid U.S Driver’s License - Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years.
· Per federal grant requirements, this position is for young adults between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service.
Physical Requirements:
· To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 25 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.
· Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.
· Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Participation and Expedition Behavior:
· Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences.
· Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
· Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service.
· Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.
· Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.
· Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.
Safety and Judgment:
· Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
· Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow
direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.
· Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
· If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.
Substance Free:
· In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.
Background Check:
A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The FWS will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant’s exact start date.
Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to government vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.
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 Monday to Friday, 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.
· Defensive driving.
· ATV/UTV safety training.
· GIS-based Field Maps and Survey 123 relevant to project.
· Chemical use and safety training.
Benefits:
· Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14
· Living Allowance of $680 per week.
· Free housing available onsite – more information will be given during the interview process.
· Members will have additional hours to take time off for personal, holiday, and sick leave and still complete their minimum AmeriCorps 675-hour term.
· Eligible for Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority upon completion of term (that allows for competitive hiring for USA jobs/government jobs).
· Healthcare Coverage.
· Student loan forbearance and interest payments are available for qualifying loans.
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.
Supervisor Name and Contact Information: CCNM Program Staff: SamJean Simmons, ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org FWS Staff: Daniel T McDonald, Daniel_T_McDonald@fws.gov
First review of applications will take place by 4/3/26. Position open until filled; candidates can check Individual Placement Positions | Conservation Corps New Mexico to see if the position is still open.
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.