Invasive Species Strike Team Member - Salt Plains and Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuges

Summary
American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking two members to contribute to habitat restoration, invasive plant management, and biological survey projects under the mentorship of Salt Plains and Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuges Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: June, 2026 *Flexible start date may be available
EstimatedEnd Date: August/September, 2026 (13 weeks after the anticipated start date)
*a 13-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/Description: Salt Plains and Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuges, OK/TX

Caddo Lake NWR is approximately 8500 acres located near Karnack, TX. The refuge was formerly the Longhorn Army Ammunition Plant and consists of mixed upland pine/hardwoods and bottomland hardwoods along the shore of Caddo Lake.

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge covers 32,197 acres including an 11,200-acre salt flat designated as the "largest such saline flat in the lowlands of North America." The refuge was established in 1930 as a sanctuary for breeding and migratory birds. The entire refuge is designated as critical whooping crane habitat, an Important Bird Area, and a member of the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network.

For more information about Salt Plains and Caddo Lake Wildlife Refuges, 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 Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge and Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Caddo Lake NWR was established for the purpose of migratory bird and other fish and wildlife management, conservation and protection. One of the goals of the refuge is to restore native habitat back which previously was shortleaf pine stands maintained by prescribed burning. The team member will help achieve refuge goals by preventing the spread of non-native invasive species and helping restore native species.

Salt Plains NWR was established as an inviolate sanctuary, stopover site and breeding grounds for migratory birds. This position will be used to help accomplish habitat management goals within the refuge's Comprehensive Conservation Plan and the Saltcedar Integrated Pest Management Plan.

Members will spend the first 10 weeks at Salt Plains NWR, and the final 3 weeks at Caddo Lake NWR.

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

• Invasive Plant Management: applying herbicide to treat invasive plants including salt cedar, pampass grass, johnson grass and others
• Invasive Plant Surveying: Surveying areas for invasive species
• Operating GPS units and iPads for monitoring purposes
• Driving 4WD government trucks
• Educating the public on invasive and native plant and animal species; excellent opportunities exist to engage and inform the local community on resource management issues at the Refuge

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 Monday - Friday. 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.

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 $100 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 Driving and ATV/UTV certification.

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.
• Must take all measures possible to ensure the safety of yourself and others and understand all safety precautions involved.
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions.
• Commitment to completing tasks thoroughly and on time.
• Ability to complete tasks independently and work well in a team
• A personal vehicle for off-duty hours due to the distance of housing to office and stores.
• 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, lawn mowers, weed eaters or heavy equipment experience.
• Ability to embrace travel opportunities as they arise to other nearby Refuges.
• Skills and ability to resolve a full range of problems or situations when performing a variety of tasks in the field or office setting.
• Skill in maintaining and safely operating motorized vehicles and specialized equipment including: highway vehicles, backpack sprayers, weed eaters, etc
• Experience and/or knowledge with GPS equipment.
• Strong desire to enter the public service field as a natural resource professional
• Experience and/or knowledge in the mission of the USFWS and other federal land management agencies.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Entails hiking in rugged terrain, stooping, kneeling, crouching, carrying heavy fencing 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. The heat and humidity around Oklahoma can be intense. If you are sensitive to heat, please consider when applying due to health risks.

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, 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 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.