San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge Technicians, Douglas, Arizona– AmeriCorps (2 openings)

 

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

 

Site Location: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, 7628 N. Highway 191, Douglas, AZ 85607 

 

Term of Service:

Start Date: 5/12/2025End Date: 9/12/2025AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours 

 

Purpose:

This is an AmeriCorps position with Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC), which is an AmeriCorps program of Conservation Legacy. The member selected for this position will be serving at the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge as an AmeriCorps member with Arizona Conservation Corps, and completing service projects for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

AZCC aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's, and is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with communities and conservation service projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff and Tucson. 

 

United States Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS):

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, working with others, is responsible for conserving, protecting, and enhancing fish and wildlife and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people through Federal programs relating to migratory birds, endangered species, interjurisdictional fish and marine mammals, and inland sport fisheries. As part of its mission, the USFWS is charged with enforcing Federal Wildlife Laws and Protecting Endangered Species.

 

The 2,369-acre San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge (SBNWR) lies along the international border with Mexico in southeast Arizona's Cochise County. It was established in 1982 for the primary purpose of recovery of native fishes of the Rio Yaqui watershed. The Refuge is headquartered near the small community of Douglas, Arizona.

 

Description of Duties:

Two technicians will be selected to support the San Bernardino National Wildlife Refuge biology and management staff positions. One technician will act as a shadow and direct support to the refuge biologist and will primarily be responsible for assisting in the collection and processing of data taken in the field. The other technician will primarily support refuge management by assisting with projects related to refuge management, maintenance and administration. Overlap between positions is expected to meet larger program needs.

 

Possible refuge biology program tasks include assisting with monitoring of federally listed fish, birds, plants, and amphibians under the supervision of the refuge biologist. Other duties may include plant management activities, habitat monitoring, and species captive propagation efforts.

 

Some possible non-biology related tasks include leading refuge public outreach efforts (i.e., Southwest Wings Birding Festival), assisting with annual refuge reporting requirements and environmental compliance documentation, and trail work. Both technician positions will directly aid in the recovery of federally listed species and their associated habitats. The technicians will draft summary reports for select projects and create an overall presentation of their projects to present to Refuge staff at the end of their terms. Additionally, both technicians will be exposed to the complexities of running and managing a National Wildlife Refuge through participation in monthly staff meetings where Administrative, Biological, Management, Law Enforcement, and Maintenance staff all discuss their current tasks and challenges.

 

Training will be provided in the following: the use of ArcGIS Field Maps application to locate survey sites and document field observations and efforts; how to successfully and correctly implement protocols and associated data recording; how to perform monitoring activities; summary report writing format and content expectations; use of any required equipment.

 

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

Assist refuge biologist with annual monitoring and surveying of populations of federally listed fish species, Chiricahua leopard frogs, Huachuca water umbel, and Yellow-billed cuckoo, either independently or with assistance of the refuge biologist. Assist with refuge public outreach efforts. Collect required data and deliver to the refuge biologist and/or assistant refuge manager. Perform data entry as needed. Write individual summary reports for monitoring efforts. Independently schedule assigned tasks, including regular habitat (e.g., pond) monitoring, to meet required completion frequencies and deadlines. Conduct pond and well monitoring activities.

 

Qualifications:

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.At least 18 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. Must currently possess or be pursuing a degree at the associate or bachelors level in a life or physical science field. Strong preference given to candidates with or pursuing a degree in a natural resource field (e.g., Biology, Environmental Science, Zoology, Hydrology, Botany, etc.). Must be self-motivated and have a strong sense of personal accountability. Ability to work independently with little to no immediate supervision. Ability to perform physical work in extreme weather conditions and terrain, hiking up to 6+ miles per day. Willing and able to represent Arizona Conservation Corps and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. Must possess good oral and written communication skills, and a strong work ethic. Must possess a valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

Local to the Douglas, Arizona area. Tribal affiliation. Interest in a natural resource conservation career. Strong desire to learn new skills. Attention to detail and organizational skills.

 

Physical Requirements:

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional 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 50 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

 

Time Requirements:

Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service hours.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 Arizona Conservation Corps Individual Placement Program New Member Orientation at start of service that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

 

Benefits:

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14 with successful completion of position. Living Allowance of $500 per week. Additional Benefit of $150 per week.Public Lands Corps Certificate* Housing is available for the members during their terms.Healthcare Coverage provided by The Corps Network and Cigna.Qualifies for Student Loan forbearance and Interest Payment reimbursement through AmeriCorps.

 

*To be eligible for a Public Lands Corps certificate, members must be between the ages of 18-30, or up to 35 if a military veteran, inclusive, at the time the individual begins the term of service and must complete 640 service hours or more to qualify.

 

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.

 

AZCC Program Staff Contact info:

Preston Sands

Individual Placement Coordinator

psands@conservationlegacy.org

 

Partner agency supervisors (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service)

This position reports to Olyvia Childress (USFWS Assistant Refuge Manager) and Joe Barron (Refuge Biologist)

 

To Apply:  

Please submit a resume and cover letter along with the online application by clicking the APPLY link on this page.

 

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.