Visitor Services Support Member – Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Visitor Services Support Member – Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

SummaryAmerican Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking ONE Visitor Services Member to contribute to the refuge Visitor Services Program under the mentorship of Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Staff. During this term, the ACE member will provide support and assistance in conducting community and social media outreach, monitoring and recording visitation data, educating the public, as well as various administrative duties.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: July 2026

EstimatedEnd Date: June 2027

*a 47-week minimum commitment is required, approximately 1880 hours*

Location Details/Description: Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Crystal River, Florida

The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located on Florida's west coast, stretching 160 miles from Crystal River to Tampa Bay. There are five refuges in the complex (Crystal River, Chassahowitzka, Egmont Key, Passage Key, and Pinellas) with the home office located in Crystal River, Florida. This position will be based at the Crystal River NWR. Crystal River NWR, established in 1983, is the only refuge created specifically for the protection of the threatened Florida manatee, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. The Crystal River NWR manages lands and waters within its management boundary, as well as seven designated manatee sanctuaries in Kings Bay that provide a winter home for over 1,000 manatees each year. Manatees attract thousands of visitors to the Refuge during the winter and throughout the year.

For more information about Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the USFWS 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 Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge.

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

• Assisting with community outreach through Facebook and other outlets
• Conducting interpretive programs
• Monitoring and recording visitation data for Three Sisters Springs (TSS) and other units of the Complex
• Communicating with the public on how to recreate responsibly inside TSS
• Scanning documents and entering data
• Assisting with biological studies as needed
• Producing, editing and distributing interpretative documents
• Assisting with regular, routine patrols in designated recreational areas to observe, inspect, and report on user activities and on-the-ground conditions, to maintain contact and liaison with and provide information to visitors, and to obtain specific information and data required by the FWS supervisor.

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 (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 $650/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.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position may include 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 training may include ATV/UTV, motorboat and invasive species monitoring equipment.

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 three-part 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 the ACE website.
• Ability to interact with and educate visitors
• Ability to tolerate the Florida summer heat
• Comfortable kayaking and standing for extended periods of time

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Bachelor's degree or relevant experience in natural resources, biology, ecology, conservation education or a related subject.
• Ability and willingness to work with others, including but not limited to other interns, staff members, volunteers and the public.
• Deep interest in deep interest in wildlife conservation and education.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires physical exertion such as kayaking, walking long distances for extended periods of time over wet and rough surfaces while carrying up to 40 lbs.; bending, crouching, stooping, lifting or reaching. Hand and finger dexterity and physical coordination may involve fine and precise procedures, delicate adjustments or exact measurements.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: The Visitor Services Support Member 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.
• 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, 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 Program Manager, Johannah McCollum.

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.