Visitor Services and Outreach Support Member - J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 member to contribute to visitor services and outreach projects under the mentorship of J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: October 12, 2026
Estimated End Date: June 19, 2027
*a 36-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1440 hours*

Location Description: J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge - Sanibel, FL

J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge is located on the subtropical barrier island of Sanibel off the southwest coast of Florida near Fort Myers. The Refuge was established in 1945 to safeguard and enhance the wildlife habitat of Sanibel Island, to protect endangered and threatened species, and to provide feeding, nesting, and roosting areas for migratory birds. The Refuge Complex is part of the largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystem in the United States. The Refuge Complex manages over 7,000 acres of mangrove forest, freshwater interior marsh, sub-tropical hardwood hammock, and estuary resources for a variety of fish and wildlife species.

For more information about J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR, 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 J.N. "Ding" Darling NWR.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the accomplishment of:

• Provide quality customer service at the Visitor Information desk by answering visitors' questions that are usually routine and repetitive and relate largely to factual situations, such as geographical location of facilities, trails, tour routes, boat ramps, and other recreational areas.
• Answers visitors' questions and explains regulations covering common refuge use situations, such as refuge rules and regulations. Answers questions that are usually recurring and require knowledge of a limited variety of facts, events, circumstances, personalities, and natural characteristics identified with the site.
• Answering phone calls, distributes calls to appropriate staff, or responding to voice mail and email messages.
• Maintains supply of informative materials and other stock items.
• Operates audio visual equipment for videos and other multi-media programs. Performs minor maintenance on audiovisual equipment.
• Assists with outreach activities such as working with "friends" groups or other partners.
• Assists with environmental education programs as activity or small group leader. Maintains equipment and supplies.
• Assists with overseeing the work of volunteers in a visitor center or on small work projects. Assists in planning volunteer recognition awards and events.
• Supports refuge staff in helping visitors understand refuge regulations and guidelines. Explains regulations to visitors and provides information and advice on approved activities and on the refuge's cultural, historical, and/or natural resources history and location. Contacts law enforcement personnel when the circumstances require formal enforcement of laws
• Develops and conducts interpretive talks and guided tour programs, presenting facts that are usually limited in variety or change little over time such as facts about the life cycle of salmon or the annual migration cycle of migratory birds
• Protects refuge natural and cultural resources by observing conditions and reminding visitors to stay out of closed or restricted areas. Reports situations which may harm resources.
• Follows practices appropriate to personal, visitor, and staff safety.
• Identifies and reports potential safety hazards to appropriate staff.
• Administers basic first aid when necessary.
• Daily maintenance chores, including sweeping and blowing leaves off trails and boardwalks, removing trash from the visitor center to the dumpster, and general groundskeeping chores.

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 Sunday-Thursday, typically 5 days/week, 8am-4:30pm. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. 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 ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $700/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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term. Housing will be a furnished RV, and the member will be the sole occupant of the RV. RV hookup and Wifi is available.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, work pants, socks, outerwear, sunglasses, 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: required defensive driving course to operate government owned vehicles.

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.
• 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.

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Time and workload management skills, including the ability to assess and implement task priorities given program priorities and time-frames.
• Ability to communicate well with visitors and staff both orally and in writing
• Time management and problem solving skills
• Ability to walk in extreme temperatures for long distances, carry equipment (30 lbs), tolerant of biting insects and aware of nearby poisonous plants
• Skills in using Microsoft Word, Excel, R, and Canva
• Schedule flexibility with the ability to potentially work weekends

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a degree in natural resources, biology, ecology, entomology, or a related subject and/or have relevant experience in similar subject areas.
• Experience working in customer service or eco tourism positions
• Public speaking and group management skills
• Experience in leading programs/tours and working with the public is desired
• Knowledgeable in natural history, biology, bird identification, etc. or a willingness to learn
• Experience and/or knowledge of the mission of the USFWS, National Wildlife Refuge System and other federal land management agencies

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.
• 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. During inclement weather, interns will conduct office tasks (e.g., data entry) in indoor office conditions.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel but may require some travel opportunities.

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 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.