Visitor Services Member - Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Visitor Services Member - Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 part-time Visitor Services Member to contribute to visitor services projects under the mentorship of Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: October/November 2026

Estimated End Date: 35 weeks after start date

*a 35-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 560 hours (16 hrs/week), with potential for extension*

Location Details/Description: Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge - Forest City, MissouriThe refuge was established on August 23, 1935 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as a refuge feeding and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. The refuge contains 7,440 acres along the eastern edge of the Missouri River floodplain, including wetlands, grasslands and forests. Overlooking the refuge from the east is the loess bluffs habitat, a geological formation of fine silt deposited after the past glacial period. These unique hills stretch from about 30 miles south of St. Joseph, Missouri, to extreme northern Iowa. Some of the last parcels of native plants, remnants of a once vast native prairie, can be found here. Loess, pronounced "luss," soils support Missouri's native prairie plants such as Indian grass, big bluestem, blazing star, yucca, beard-tongue and skeleton plant. On an average year, the refuge supports up to 200,000 ducks during fall and winter seasons and upwards of a million snow geese. The refuge was officially named one of America's top 500 Globally Important Bird Areas by the National Audubon Society in 2001.

For more information about Loess Bluffs National Wildlife 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. This position will help FWS realize that mission at Loess Bluffs NWR.

Primary Duties include:

• Open, close, and staff the visitor center.
• Coordinates with volunteers to staff front desk of visitor center and participate in outreach events, including recruiting and scheduling volunteers.
• Coordinates with partners to develop and plan environmental education/outreach events.
• Prepares and conducts on- and off-site environmental education programs for a diverse variety of audiences.
• Assists with development or revision of environmental education materials
• Works closely with Friends of Loess Bluffs NWR (non-profit that supports the refuge) to schedule and plan events and quarterly meetings, and assists with managing the nature store in the visitor center.

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 primarily be carried out 8 hours a day, 2 days per week, between 7 am to 4 pm (start time is flexible) or two 5 hour days and one 6 hour day for a total of 3 days per week between 10 am to 3 pm and 9 am to 3 pm. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 32 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, which involves work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends to adjust for weather impacts. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~16 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $352/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $100 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, work pants, socks, outerwear, sunglasses, socks, 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 USFWS training may include visitor center operation, engaging with volunteers, CPR/First Aid, and conducting a variety of biological surveys.

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 check.
• 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.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a 2-year college degree and/or have education or experience in a relevant subject area such as natural resources, biology, ecology, historical and cultural studies, recreation and management, and social and behavioral sciences
• Knowledge of public outreach and communications tools and techniques to identify audiences and messages, and practices and techniques of interpretation, environmental education, and outdoor recreation planning and resource management work.
• Ability and willingness to to deal effectively with various types of people, individually and in groups; communicate orally with individuals of different social, economic, and cultural backgrounds to operate a visitor center information desk; recruit, train, supervise and motivate volunteers; assist in planning, organizing and implementing interpretive, educational and wildlife oriented recreation activities at a National Wildlife Refuge.
• Deep interest in engaging the public to provide quality wildlife-dependent recreational and educational opportunities to enhance the public's understanding and appreciation of natural resource conservation and management .

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently, working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique 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 and/or ACE, 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 ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager, Shannon Borowy.

 

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 enrolled in a program 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.