Invasive Species & Habitat Restoration Members - Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts, Refuges and Conservation Areas

Invasive SpeciesHabitat Restoration Members - Northwest Montana Wetland Management Districts, Refuges and Conservation Areas Summary American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 Member(s) to contribute to invasive species management and habitat restoration projects under the mentorship of Northwest Montana FWS Staff. For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date:

July 2026

Estimated End Date:

September 2026 a 6 week minimum commitment is required

Location Details/Description:

Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge, Charlo, MT Members will be based in Charlo, MT but will have required travel to work sites throughout Northwest MT. The Northwest Montana Wetland Management District encompasses units in the Mission, Flathead, and Swan Valleys located in northwest Montana. Starting north of the Canadian border and ends close to modern day Missoula, Montana. This intermountain region was formed by glaciers during past ice ages and was once filled with ice that slowly pushed south. As the glaciers melted, scattered lakes and ponds were left behind throughout theses Valleys. Although many of these glacial lakes and ponds with their corresponding uplands have since been ditched and drained, some still remain providing important habitat for migrating and nesting waterfowl as well as other water and shore birds. For more information about Northwest MT Wetland Management District, 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 the Northwest Montana Wetland Management District. Members on this project would contribute to vegetation mapping, water structure mapping and documenting the condition of the structure, monitoring and reporting on wildlife health, seeding, plug planting, identifying and removing invasive species, monitoring easements and reporting. 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:

Mon-Thu, 7:00am to 5:30pm with potential for occasional work on evenings or weekends. 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. 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 $745/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 during work trips. Otherwise, housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

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.

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. To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred:

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a Associate's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Biology, Botany, or a related subject area. Knowledge of ArcGIS Pro, Field Maps, Collector, Survey 123, and plant identification Ability and willingness to learn, be flexible, and pay attention to detail. Deep interest in conservation and ecology

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands:

Requires frequent standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.

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 30 lbs., ability to move up to 50 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 gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.

Travel:

This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards:

The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, steep and rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, ticks and potentially dangerous wildlife such as grizzly bears and rattlesnakes. 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

Senior Program Manager, Nich Jackosky and USFWS Wildlife Biologist, Amy Lisk at 406-564-9890, amy_lisk@fws.gov. 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.