Fisheries Members & Fellows - Grand Canyon National Park

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with Grand Canyon National Park, is seeking members and fellows to contribute to fisheries projects alongside NPS staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: ASAP

Estimated End Date: TBD

*weeks served will be determined by NPS*

Location Details/Description: Entirely within the state of Arizona, the park encompasses 278 miles (447 km) of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present day Tribal Communities, Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world-a mile deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from both north and south rims.

For more information about Grand Canyon National Park, please visit the NPS website.

Position Overview:

The mission of the National Park Service is "to preserve the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of present and future generations". In support of that mission, and to engage young people in stewardship service, building the next generation of conservation leaders, members will work within the Science and Resource Management's Native Fish Ecology and Conservation Program (NFEC) at Grand Canyon National Park. Members will actively participate in furthering the NFEC mission to restore native fishes in Grand Canyon, including through translocations of threatened and endangered fish species and nonnative fish removal programs. These on-the-ground management projects are first line responses aimed at preventing a whole-scale shift from a native-dominated fishery that is a haven for listed species to a nonnative dominated one in Grand Canyon. If such a shift were to occur, there would be serious implications for water management and power production in the West as well as the ecosystem of Grand Canyon National Park.

Members will work closely with NFEC staff on the following types of hands-on projects:

Assists with endangered fish releases, monitoring native and nonnative fishes, and the removal of nonnative fish species and preparation for beneficial use.
Assists in fisheries surveys using methodologies such as boat electrofishing, backpack electrofishing, hoop netting, seining, weirs, and PIT-tag technologies.
Follows established protocols for collection of fisheries field data on established fisheries management projects.
Uses tablets and software such as Excel to keep accurate, well-organized, detailed field datasheets and notes.
Performs field work as part of a team in arduous situations such as in remote backcountry settings requiring carrying a heavy pack (35-50 lbs.), hiking over varied terrain and/or in inclement weather for extended periods of time.
Accesses field sites by helicopter, hiking, and/or boating.
Uses Microsoft products to plan for and summarize field trips.
Assists with logistics associated with backcountry fieldwork, including menu planning and food shopping, gear maintenance and packing, driving to and from work locations.
Cross trains with other Grand Canyon divisions if interested and available, potentially including Tribal Affairs, Wildlife, Database Management, Vegetation, Cultural, and others.

Schedule:

Individuals will work with biologists, ACE members, interns, and seasonal technicians on 3-14 day hitches. When not participating in backcountry shifts, individuals either have time off or complete office work or gear packing, inventory, and maintenance. A typical office day is 8 hours long and a field day is 10 hours long. Field work can include weekend days and holidays.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $225/day for Fellows and $175/day for Members to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Housing: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or NPS.

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. Specific training may include Standard Operating Procedure documents for specific projects, Job Hazard Analyses for typically encountered hazards (heat, maneuvering in creeks, river travel, etc.), NPS radio training, backpack electrofishing techniques, boat electrofishing techniques, data collection and management, helicopter training, etc.

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.
If driving is required in your role: A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request).
If Driving is NOT required in your role: A current and valid form of ID (will be required to provide copies of ID's upon hiring)
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.
Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website located on our Indeed homepage.
Must feel comfortable humanely euthanizing non-native fish species.

Preferred:

Competitive applicants for this position can hold or be pursuing a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as fisheries biology, natural resource management, wildlife biology, ecology
Experience working in the backcountry or remote settings.
Ability and willingness to work in harsh and rugged terrain under extreme weather conditions carrying up to 35% of body weight.
Passion for learning about Grand Canyon National Park fisheries

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing.Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions. For field activities, moderate to high physical effort is required up to 12 hours each day in varying conditions. Some duties require sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time. Some duties may also require strenuous physical activity such as backpacking (up to 35% of body weight), lifting, and carrying items over rugged, precipitous, and sometimes unstable terrain. Work may be strenuous. Must be comfortable wading in steep streams which may have strong currents, slippery stream bottoms - these require good balance.
Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently carries up to 35% of body weight., ability to move up to 70 pounds.
Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
Noise Environment: Moderate noise when boat electrofishing requires the use of ear protection. Moderate noise when participating in helicopter operations requires ear protection.
Travel: This position requires travel between Flagstaff and Grand Canyon National Park and within Grand Canyon National Park.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: ACE members will face challenging environmental conditions and hazards, including extreme heat and cold, rocky terrain, slippery conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Work is conducted along the Colorado River corridor and in remote side canyons from Lees Ferry to Pearce Ferry, and within primary trail corridors within the park. Transportation is via backpacking, 18 foot oar-powered rubber rafts, 22' motorized rubber rafts, helicopter, and 4-wheel drive vehicles on remote and paved roads. Work may involve extensive field work in terrain which is often steep, and weather conditions that will be hot (up to 115 F) and dry, or cold (below freezing) and wet. Work in the backcountry requires hiking steep, remote trails and in rocky, uneven drainage. Incumbents must consistently follow safe work practices applicable to the occupation, tools, and specific circumstances and surroundings in which the incumbent performs the job. Working in water temperatures averaging 50 F.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the NPD or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the NPS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the NPS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to NPS 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 NPS Western Member Manager, Sabrina Caruso.

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.