Biological Technician - USFWS Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge

Position Details:

Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, Tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge are seeking two interns who will assist our refuge’s biological and visitor services programs as well as local tribal fishery and habitat programs. Interns will focus on surveying for and removing invasive American bullfrogs to benefit the federally listed Oregon spotted frog; trapping and removal of invasive European green crabs; assisting fish hatchery staff; restoration site maintenance; and performing monitoring and research with the local tribal Salmon Recovery, Harvest and Shellfish program. Note: bullfrog removal efforts occur at nighttime with general work schedules between sunset and sunrise. This effort is expected to occur during 8-10 weeks of the members term from July-September.

Position Responsibilities will include:

●      Safely operate a canoe/kayak at night, on a river, to capture and euthanize bullfrogs (via air rifle, gigging, or hand netting)

●      Walk in wetlands in waders through tall grass/cattails searching for and removing bullfrogs

●      Walk across tidal marsh and mudflats to deploy, retrieve and process European green crab traps

●      Assist with planning and implementation of the Refuge’s 50^th anniversary celebration

●      Map sweetgrass locations within the refuge

●      Work along riverbanks to control invasive yellow flag iris and purple loosestrife (manual and herbicide)

●      Collect sediment measurements in the Nisqually River delta

●      Perform habitat enhancement for Oregon spotted frogs

●      Prepare a public presentation about the members experience

●      Provide social media posts about the work experience at least twice per month

●      Participate in public events, such as the Nisqually Watershed Festival

Minimum Requirements:

●      Willing to undergo and pass a required criminal history check.

●      A strong interest in a career in natural resource conservation science

●      Willing to euthanize invasive frogs to benefit the federally listed Oregon spotted frog

●      Willing to use herbicides to enhance habitats

●      Willing to complete a WA State hunter safety course and pass air rifle field proficiency

●      You must be eligible to serve in AmeriCorps State & National Direct Service programs (must not have served more than 4 terms in AmeriCorps)

●      You must be available to work a 40-hour week for the 26-week term

●      You must be between 18 and 34 years of age

●      You must have received a High School Diploma or GED

●      You must be a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions:

o   Persons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes Indigenous to the United States

o    Descendants of Members of Federally recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities who were residing on any Indian Reservation on June 1, 1934 – shown by completing BIA Form 4432

 Preferred Qualifications:

●      Applicants with science related educational backgrounds and an interest in conservation

●      Educational, professional or other experience with amphibians

●      Non-motorized boating experience (canoe/kayak)

Benefits:

●      Living Allowance: $600/week (pre-tax)

●      Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps Education Award upon successful completion of the program. Value of the award is $3,447.50 (pre-tax).

●      Student loan forbearance and health insurance

●      Gain in-depth knowledge of local amphibians and species identification

●      Opportunity to work with a federally listed species

●      Gain experience in different crab trapping techniques

●      Defensive Driving

●      Hunter Safety Certification

How to Apply

In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and your background. You will also be required to upload a copy of your federally recognized Tribal ID to prove you meet the minimum requirement.

If you have questions about this position, please contact Kurt Roblek (360-753-9467, kurt_roblek@fws.gov) or Stewards Program Coordinator James Gasaway; jgasaway@conservationlegacy.org

This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.