USFWS Biological Science Intern – Fisheries (7 openings)

 

Conservation Legacy Program: Arizona Conservation Corps

 

Site Location: Arizona Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office, Whiteriver, AZ

 

 

Term of Service:

Start Date: 5/19/2025End Date: 10/3/2025AmeriCorps 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 Arizona Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office 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. 

 

 

Apache Trout Conservation:

The Apache Trout was once abundant in the White Mountain headwaters, populating nearly 700 miles of streams. However, due to habitat loss, overfishing, and the presence of non-native species, the Apache trout has been considered a threatened species for almost as long as it has been recognized. 

Thanks to conservation efforts led by the White Mountain Apache Tribe Game and Fish, along with partners such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited, and others, the Apache trout is now the first sport fish and trout species to be recovered and removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species.

 

 

Description of Duties:

The Biological Science interns will help the Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office support recovery actions for the Apache Trout on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The interns will be part of a seasonal field crew conducting backpack electrofishing surveys of headwater streams for the purpose of monitoring the status and trend of Apache Trout populations. The position will also include managing and removing non-native invasive trout species that prey on, compete with, and hybridize with Apache Trout. The Fort Apache Indian Reservation is located in the White Mountains of Arizona and hosts the large majority of remaining Apache Trout habitat and populations. The typical schedule is Monday-Thursday from 6:00 am to 4:30 pm (four ten-hour work days each week, with a half-hour unpaid lunch break each day). Work days may shift during holiday weeks as needed.

 

 

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

Collection of fish primarily using backpack electrofishing gear.  Perform water quality and habitat measurements.Prepare and maintain collecting gear for use in field surveys. Participate in field surveys on various bodies of water in Arizona, often in remote locations. Collect and record biological information and research project data such as species, size, weight, sex, age, and habitat use. Operate and maintain government-owned equipment and vehicles.This position includes a significant amount of physically strenuous labor.

Qualifications:

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alienAt 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.Punctuality and consistent attendance for duration of term.Strong attention to organization and detail.Interest in conservation biology, endangered species, and resource management.Must be 18 years of age or older.

 

 

Preferred Qualifications:

Native American candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.Teamwork oriented with clear, direct communication and interpersonal skills.21 years of age with a valid driver’s license. Applicants can be between the ages of 18 – 20 if they have held a valid driver’s license for 3 consecutive years. Applicants with no driver’s license are still encouraged to apply but will not be able to drive agency vehicles.Degree in a related field (Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, etc.).Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified.

 

 

Physical Requirements:

Ability to work, backpack, and live in varied outdoor conditions including exposure to adverse weather conditions. Ability to hike long distances over steep and rough terrain at high elevations.Camping for up to 4 days at a time with minimal cell phone service may be required of crewmembers on a recurring basis, due to the remoteness of some project locations.Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

 

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 – Thursday, 40 hours per week, 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 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 $480 per week. Additional Benefit of $150 per week.Public Lands Corps Certificate* 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.

 

 

Supervisor Name and Contact Information:

This position reports to Kristy Manuell, Fish Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

 

 

To Apply:  

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

 

If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org. 

 

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, 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.