Shorebird Protection and Management Members - Cape Cod National Seashore

Summary:  American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps in partnership with the National Park Service, is seeking FOUR Shorebird Protection and Management Members to assist with managing and protecting state and federally protected shorebird species, specifically the piping plover, least tern, and American oystercatcher. 

For more information on the ACE and to apply, please visit: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/908614.html

Start Date:  April 10, 2023 (flexibility may be available for the right candidate)

End Date:  August 12, 2023 (or 18 weeks from the start date)

*A 18-week commitment is required*  

Location: The Cape Cod National Seashore is located in Wellfleet, MA.

Cape Cod is a large peninsula extending 60 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Massachusetts. Located on the outer portion of the Cape, Cape Cod National Seashore's 44,600 acres encompass a rich mosaic of marine, estuarine, fresh water, and terrestrial ecosystems. These systems and their associated habitats reflect the Cape's glacial origin, dynamic natural processes, and at least 9,000 years of human activity. Geomorphic shoreline change, groundwater fluctuations, tidal dynamics including rising sea level, and atmospheric deposition are among the many physical processes that continue to shape the Seashore's ecosystems. Marine and estuarine systems include beaches, sand spits, tidal flats, salt marshes, and soft-bottom benthos. Freshwater ecosystems include kettle ponds, vernal pools, sphagnum bogs, and swamps. Terrestrial systems include pitch pine and scrub oak forests, heathlands, dunes, and sandplain grasslands. Many of these habitats are globally uncommon and the species that occupy them are correspondingly rare.

For more information regarding the Cape Cod National Seashore, please visit the NPS website at: https://www.nps.gov/caco/learn/index.htm.

Position Overview: The main objective of the program is to manage and protect state and federally protected shorebird species, specifically the piping plover, least tern, and American oystercatcher at Cape Cod National Seashore. Duties and responsibilities of this position are as follows:

• Members will serve in the field most of the day, erecting miles of symbolic fencing, installing signage and predator exclosures in often demanding weather conditions
• Members will monitor shorebird nesting activities including locating potential breeding pairs and nests, daily monitoring of nests and following the movements of the precocial chicks until they fledge
• Members will enforce park regulations and provide impromptu interpretive talks about the birds and other wildlife to the visitors
• Members will be responsible for maintaining detailed, organized and accurate notes of field observations and be responsible for data entry
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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: Typical Members schedule will be 5 days/week, 8 hours per day, and some weekend service may be required.

Position Benefits:

Living Allowance: ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $300/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 450-hour AmeriCorps Education Award valued up to ($1,527.45) upon successful completion of service hours. Additional enrollment and volunteer service are required.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.  

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Remove if not provided; Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general information online here: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements 

Housing: ACE Members will be accommodated in park housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Reimbursable Relocation Allowance: ACE members will have access to up to a reimbursable relocation allowance of $150 total ($75 at the beginning and $75 at the end) to be used for eligible expenses. 

Qualifications

Required:

• Members must be a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, as required by U.S. government contracts
• 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).
• Willing to undergo and must pass a required three-part criminal history check.
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.
• 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. 
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website here: https://www.usaconservation.org/epic/#eligibility-requirements  

Preferred:

• Competitive applicants for the position can hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as ecology, marine biology, wildlife sciences, biology, natural resources management, environmental science, or related disciplines.
• Knowledge of the natural history and scientific processes of the Northeastern United States; for example: ecology of marine ecosystems, dune and barrier beach ecosystems, coastal geologic processes, freshwater ecosystems, marine biology.
• Ability to work under both physically and technically demanding conditions.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged and welcome.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to the online application page for this position here: https://usaconservation.applicantpool.com/jobs/908614.html

Early consideration will be given as resumes are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact EPIC NPS National Recruitment Specialist, Shannon Borowy, at [email protected]

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.