TITLE: USFWS BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE CREW LEADER (FISHERIES) (1 OPENING)

START/END DATE: May 18 – November 13, 2020 (anticipated)

WAGES: $685/week

STATUS: Full time (40 hours per week), seasonal, temporary

REPORTS TO: Zachary Jackson (USFWS)

LOCATION: Arizona Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office (Whiteriver, AZ)

BENEFITS: The Corps Network health insurance provided by Cigna; Employee Assistance Program

SUMMARY:

ARIZONA CONSERVATION CORPS (AZCC):

Arizona Conservation Corps, a program of Conservation Legacy, aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. AZCC is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. AZCC operates programs across Arizona that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. AZCC has program offices in Flagstaff, the White Mountains, and Tucson. 

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Biological Science Crew Leader (CL) will be responsible for facilitating a positive internship experience by setting an example of enthusiasm for the Biological Science Interns throughout the project’s duration. The CL communicates directions, project specifications, and constructive criticism to the crew throughout the term of service. The CL is expected to complete all paperwork in a timely manner and professionally represent AZCC in project relations.

The primary goal of this project is to help the Arizona Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office support recovery actions for the threatened Apache Trout on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The Biological Science Interns will be part of a seasonal field crew conducting backpack electrofishing surveys of headwater streams for the purpose of monitoring the status and trend of Apache Trout populations. These positions will also include managing and removing non-native invasive trout species that prey on, compete with, and hybridize with Apache Trout. The Fort Apache Indian Reservation is located in the White Mountains of Arizona and hosts the large majority of remaining Apache Trout habitat and populations. Housing is not provided for this position.

Required Skills

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS:

• Directly supervise all AZCC Biological Science interns, providing support, direction, guidance, feedback, and encouragement.
• Ensure the crew works safely, efficiently, completes all assigned tasks, and collects good records and data.
• Enforce and comply with all relevant AZCC and FWS policies.
• Communicate regularly with FWS and AZCC staff.
• Conduct regular check-ins with all AZCC Bio Science interns.
• Collection of fish primarily using backpack electrofishing gear.  
• Perform water quality and habitat measurements.
• Prepare and maintain collecting gear for use in field surveys. 
• Participate in field surveys on various bodies of water in Arizona, often in remote locations. 
• Collect and record biological information and research project data such as species, size, weight, sex, age, and habitat use. 
• Operate and maintain government-owned equipment and vehicles.
• This position includes a significant amount of physically strenuous labor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift and carry 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• Ability to work, backpack, and live in varied outdoor conditions including exposure to adverse weather conditions. Ability to hike long distances over steep and rough terrain at high elevations.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Experience

CREW LEADER QUALIFICATIONS:  

• Preference in hiring will be given to qualified, Native American applicants.

• 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license and some leadership experience.

• Excellent communication and teaching/mentoring skills, as well as, strong conflict resolution and team building skills.

• Ability to perform administrative duties, such as managing crew paperwork and utilizing Microsoft programs.

• Strong time-management skills and ability to work independently and in collaboration with a small group.

• Valid driver’s license and an insurable driving record.

• Have US Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency status. 

• Have a high school diploma or GED.

• Pass background checks: all offers of positions are conditional upon completion of an acceptable check of the National Sex Offender Public Registry and Federal criminal background check.

CREW LEADER PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior AmeriCorps Service.

• Experience with backpacking, wilderness travel, camp management and outdoor leadership.

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree.

• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certified.

PARTICIPATION AND EXPEDITION BEHAVIOR: 

• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem-solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 
• Contribute to a safe learning environment; no harassment of others for any reason. 
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training and National Service.  Members must commit to participating in all crew/team activities, including service days in local communities where applicable. 
• Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues and organization staff. 
• Appropriately represent the Program and AmeriCorps to the public and project partners at all times.

SAFETY AND JUDGMENT: 

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury or need for assistance. You must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. 
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. 
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• Perceive and comprehend significant and apparent hazards, including those hazards previously identified by others.  
• Respond appropriately to stress or crises.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS: 

• Learn and practice ‘Leave no Trace’ techniques.
• Learn and safely perform fundamental outdoor living/travel and work skills as appropriate to the project. Additionally, remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed so as to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.

SUBSTANCE FREE: 

In accordance to a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property.

TO APPLY:  Please submit an updated resume and cover letter along with the online application at https://azcorps.org/individual-placement-openings . If you have questions, contact AZCC’s Individual Placement Program Director Marissa Strong at mstrong@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information on the US Fish & Wildlife Service, please visit their website at www.fws.gov/southwest/es/arizona/

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND FUNCTIONS:

• Directly supervise all AZCC Biological Science interns, providing support, direction, guidance, feedback, and encouragement.
• Ensure the crew works safely, efficiently, completes all assigned tasks, and collects good records and data.
• Enforce and comply with all relevant AZCC and FWS policies.
• Communicate regularly with FWS and AZCC staff.
• Conduct regular check-ins with all AZCC Bio Science interns.
• Collection of fish primarily using backpack electrofishing gear.  
• Perform water quality and habitat measurements.
• Prepare and maintain collecting gear for use in field surveys. 
• Participate in field surveys on various bodies of water in Arizona, often in remote locations. 
• Collect and record biological information and research project data such as species, size, weight, sex, age, and habitat use. 
• Operate and maintain government-owned equipment and vehicles.
• This position includes a significant amount of physically strenuous labor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift and carry 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• Ability to work, backpack, and live in varied outdoor conditions including exposure to adverse weather conditions. Ability to hike long distances over steep and rough terrain at high elevations.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.