Habitat Restoration Fellow - Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one (1) Member to contribute to habitat restoration, invasive plant management, and biological survey projects under the mentorship of Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: August 31, 2026

Estimated End Date: August 27, 2027*

a 52-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Roswell, New Mexico

Located where the Chihuahuan Desert meets the Southern Plains in southeast New Mexico, Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is one of the most biologically significant wetland areas of the Pecos River watershed system. Established in 1937 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds, the 24,563-acre refuge plays a crucial role in the conservation of wetlands in the southwestern desert. The unusually diverse wetlands combined with its gypsum karst topography support a variety of plant and animal communities that thrive on the refuge. The native grasslands, vegetated sand dunes, brushy bottomlands, and red-rimmed plateaus provide a sharp contrast to the wetlands of Bitter Lake. Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge is an oasis in the desert.

For more information about Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: This position will support habitat restoration efforts at Bitter Lake National Wildlife Refuge with a primary focus on the conservation and recovery of native and threatened plant species. The member will work closely with FWS staff to implement seed-based restoration strategies, including seed collection, processing, propagation, and monitoring of restoration outcomes. This role emphasizes long-term vegetation establishment and adaptive management to improve habitat quality across refuge ecosystems.

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

Habitat Restoration & Native Seed Work (75%):

• Collect seeds from native and threatened/endangered plant species following established protocols to ensure genetic diversity and long-term viability
• Process, clean, label, and store collected seed for future restoration use
• Conduct habitat restoration projects including seeding and planting of native vegetation in priority areas
• Monitor previously restored sites to evaluate plant establishment, survival, and overall project success
• Implement adaptive management strategies based on monitoring results to improve restoration outcomes
• Develop a refuge "Seed Strategy" summarizing successes, lessons learned, and a path forward for future restoration work on the refuge.
• Conduct invasive species management by mechanically removing invasive vegetation with hand tools or chainsaws
• Apply chemical herbicide using various methods including handheld sprayers, backpack sprayers, and ATV/UTV sprayers
• Operate 4WD vehicles, ATVs/UTVs, and other heavy equipment (tractor, backhoe, and skid steer)

Biological surveys and land management duties (25%)

• Assist with biological surveys, including fish, waterbirds, and threatened and endangered species
• Assist staff in monitoring and managing wetland water levels and flows
• Assist with occasional refuge outreach events and activities.

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 typically be carried out between 6:30 AM and 4 PM Mountain Standard Time, with 9 hour days Monday - Thursday and an 8 hour day one Friday of a pay period, with the other Friday off, typically 4 or 5 days/week. Work hours may vary seasonally. 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 $600/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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) 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.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, work boots, work pants, outerwear, hat, 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 Defensive Driver, UTV/ATV, Pesticide Application, Heavy Machinery: Tier 1, Tractors, Backhoe, Skidsteer, and Chainsaws.

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 located on our Indeed homepage.

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as biology, natural resource management, ecology, botany, or another related subject area.
• Knowledge of/experience in plant identification, habitat restoration, and/or invasive species management.
• Ability to follow assigned protocols to perform tasks with many steps.
• Basic knowledge of hand and power tools, or heavy equipment experience.
• Ability to embrace travel opportunities as they arise to other nearby Refuges.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Entails hiking in rugged terrain, stooping, kneeling, crouching, carrying heavy materials, and tool and computer use.
• Vision Requirements: The ability to count animals through binoculars or a scope
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 35 lbs., ability to move up to 75 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as heavy equipment, gas-powered chainsaws, and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position does not require 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, 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 Member Manager, Mac Utter.

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 hired 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.