Resource Management Steward - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy
Position Title: Resource Management Steward - AmeriCorps
Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements- BIA WaterCorps Program
Site Location: Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge - 1611 NM HWY 161; Watrous, NM 87753
Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants that submit application by February 14th, 2025 (Flexible)
Terms of Service:
- Ideal Start Date: May 12th, 2025 (Flexible)
- End Date: November 7th, 2025
- AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 hour, 26 weeks
Purpose:
Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards), a program of Conservation Legacy, provides individuals with AmeriCorps service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants serve with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits to provide institutional capacity, develop community relationships, and support ecosystem health. Stewards Individual Placements partners with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to facilitate the WaterCorps Program to provide opportunities to Tribal Members seeking to gain experience in the water resources field. This WaterCorps position will be hosted at the Water Resources Division of the Southwest Region of Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Resource Management Steward is an AmeriCorps position that will work closely with refuge biologists, regional biometricians and hydrologists to survey, assess and manage habitat for the endangered New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge (NWR).
The main project will be assessing the success of riparian restoration along two miles of the Mora River by surveying for the endangered New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse. The Steward will identify locations of the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse and define habitat conditions in restoration areas. Will work with refuge staff and partners to assess the habitat and population data to determine future habitat management goals and objectives for this endangered species on the refuge.
The Resource Management Steward will also be assisting with projects within the Northern New Mexico NWR Complex (Las Vegas, Maxwell and Rio Mora NWRs):
- At Las Vegas NWR the Steward will assist refuge biologist with playa lake management, daily water delivery, irrigation and farming program. Will be tasked with development of a infrastructure database to monitor/track water routing update water checks/keeping track of water routing.
- At Maxwell NWR the Steward will assist refuge biologist with the design and development of river restoration plans, planting native riparian species, post riverbank restoration monitoring and invasive species monitoring along the recently disturbed areas of the restoration site.
The Resource Management Steward’s main purpose will be to assess the success of the riparian restoration along two miles of the Mora River by surveying for the endangered New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse. The Steward will identify locations of the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse and define habitat conditions in restoration areas. They will also work with refuge staff and partners to assess the habitat and population data to determine future habitat management goals and objectives for this endangered species on the refuge. This will also provide valuable information and aid in the recovery of this endangered species.
Description of Duties:
- Monitor for the endangered New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse:
- Identify and determine survey location sites, using ArcGIS Online supported devices.
- Check the track plates daily, collect track plate sheets and record relevant data.
- Review and analyze track plate data to help determine species presence.
- Survey and assess riparian habitat.
- Work with refuge staff and partners to create an Annual New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse Monitoring Report. Offer recommendations for future management of the species.
- Develop and present at least 1 educational program about the New Mexico Meadow Jumping Mouse.
- As available, assist with other programs within the Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex:
- Playa lake management, irrigation, and farming at Las Vegas and Maxwell NWRs.
- Playa vegetation monitoring
- Grassland and forage assessments
- Riparian restoration along the Mora River.
- Pre- and post-riverbank restoration monitoring
- Invasive species monitoring.
- Planting native vegetation.
- Wildlife surveys (elk, waterbird/waterfowl, etc).
- Refuge hunting program; develop outreach materials, check-in and out with hunters, etc.
- Occasional landscaping, maintenance of trail and picnic areas, general facility improvements and janitorial duties.
- Wildlife camera monitoring project at Rio Mora NWR.
- Outreach and education programs and/or videos focusing on riparian ecosystems.
Qualifications:
- Must be a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions:
- Persons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes Indigenous to the United States.
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.
- United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien
- Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
- Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Checks for Conservation Legacy.
- Valid driver's license and willingness to drive 4WD trucks.
Preferred Qualifications:
- ArcGIS
- Data entry
- Outdoor and field experience
- 4WD and off-road experience
Additional Position and Community Information:
- Housing for participants is located at Rio Mora National Wildlife Refuge. The housing will be shared, but each participant will have their own bedroom. The refuge is very remote and the closest city, with any services, is Las Vegas, New Mexico and is approximately 30 minutes south of the refuge. There is no reliable cell phone service or Wi-Fi at the bunkhouse, but there is Wi-Fi at a facility within walking distance. Las Vegas, NM has grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants, a movie theater etc.
- We suggest that participants have their own personal vehicle to explore the area on off times, but that is not a requirement. If you do not have your own vehicle, the refuge will work with you on transportation, etc.
Benefits:
- Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697 upon successful completion of the position.
- Living Allowance of $600.00 per week.
- Additional Benefit of $100.00 per week.
- Professional Development fund of $2,255.00 for entire term.
- Option to choose Healthcare Coverage and Childcare Coverage
- Student Loan forbearance if Eligible (administered by MyAmeriCorps, directly)
- Interest Payments if Eligible (administered through MyAmeriCorps, directly)
How to Apply:
In addition to your resume, you must upload a copy of your Tribal ID proving you are enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe, Band, or village. Please also submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.
Application Timeline: Preference given to applicants who submit applications by February 14th, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position will remain open until filled (May 12th, 2024).
Supervisor Name and Contact Information:
- Program Contact information: Morgan Ehmling ([email protected])
- Service Site Contact information: Jon Erz ([email protected])
Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply. 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.
We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with AmeriCorps requirements. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Additional Details
Physical Requirements:
Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.
Time Requirements:
- This position is expected to serve full time each week, but exact service schedules may vary.
- Lunch breaks will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
- Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
Orientation and Training:
- Member will receive an orientation that includes program expectations and AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
- Field skills and training opportunities will be provided, including surface water monitoring, groundwater monitoring, and water quality monitoring.
- The member would have the opportunity to learn the fundamentals GIS and hydrology, including how soils and vegetation result in losses to precipitation, watershed responses to rainfall, and the hydrological response to the arid southwest.
Evaluation and Reporting:
As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.
Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.
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