Visitor Services Support Member

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking One (1) Member to contribute to visitor services day to day operations under the mentorship of Charles M. Russell NWR Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: May 2026

Estimated End Date: October 2026

*a 22 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 880 hours*

Location Details/Description: Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge-Fort Peck, MT

Together, Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge encompass an area of 1.1 million acres that span about 125 air miles along the Missouri River, from the Fort Peck Dam west to the boundary with the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Located within the boundary of CMR Refuge, UL Bend is, in essence, a refuge within a refuge. The Service manages these refuges as one, forming the second largest national wildlife refuge in the lower 48 states.

Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge's expansive badlands, cottonwood river bottoms, forested coulees, sagebrush steppes and mixed-grass prairies appear out of the sea that is the northern Great Plains. Elk, mule deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, sage and sharp-tailed grouse, and bald eagles make the Refuge home. Visitors will find spectacular examples of native prairie, forested coulees, river bottoms, and "breaks" badlands so often portrayed in the paintings of the colorful artist for whom this Refuge is named.Each fall, hundreds of elk congregate in the Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area, creating a spectacle not to be missed.

During their term, the ACE member will assist staff at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center located at the northeast corner of the Refuge. The Interpretive Center is a cooperative effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The Interpretive Center highlights the natural history of the Refuge, the construction history of the Fort Peck Dam, and the paleontology of the Hell Creek Formation.

For more information about Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, please visit their FWS website.

Position Overview: The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. This position will help FWS realize that mission at Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

Primary Duties include:

Visitor Services (65%)

• Provide staffing at the front desk alongside volunteers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers staff.
• Respond to questions and phone calls on a variety of informational and interpretive topics.
• Provide accurate information on recreational activities, nearby attractions, and rules and regulations.
• Provide interpretive information on local plants and wildlife, history, and paleontology.
• Perform opening and closing tasks at the Interpretive Center.

Education, Outreach, and Interpretation (25%)

• Assist in the preparation and presentation of environmental education and interpretive programs for school groups and other visitors.
• Assist in the development and writing of educational activities, field trip presentations, and interpretive programs.
• Perform roving interpretation inside and around the Interpretive Center.
• Assist with education or outreach events on and offsite.

Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

• Assist with general operation and maintenance tasks at the Interpretive Center including organizational, cleaning, and grounds maintenance tasks.
• Assist with pollinator activities including beekeeping and native plant garden maintenance.
• Assist with historical research requests and archiving collection materials.
• Assist field staff with other activities as needed including fence removal, monitoring, or surveys.

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: Duties will primarily be carried out Thursday - Monday. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule may be required, which could involve work performed outside of normal work hours including on weekends and/or holidays. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $660/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members may be eligible for a federal hiring authority upon completion of their term of service and 640 hours of service. If the duration of a PLC-eligible term is not long enough for Members to accrue 640 hours of service (~16 weeks), the total hours served at the completion of the term may be eligible to be combined with hours accrued from another PLC-eligible term to meet the 640 hours requirement. PLC projects also include specific eligibility requirements such as age (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes a myriad of applicable outdoor equipment/clothing and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

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.

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.
• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21+ to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.
• 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.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

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 Outdoor Education, Natural Resource Management, Ecology, Biology, or any related subject
• Previous experience working with visitors, students, or campers in a paid position or as a volunteer.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse audiences.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability and willingness to develop and conduct interpretive and educational programs.
• Knowledge of or interest in the flora, fauna, history, and/or geology of northeastern Montana.
• Due to the remote nature of Fort Peck, access to reliable transportation is necessary.

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.

• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 40 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment:[Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland 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.

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

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 hired 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.