Position Title: Biological Science Individual Placement – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico

Site Location: U.S Fish and Wildlife Service

500 E McCarty Ln, San Marcos, TX 78666

COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED

Terms of Service:

· Start Date: 9/15/25

· End Date: 6/19/26

· AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 1200 Hours

 

Purpose:

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, protect clean air and water, among other environmental efforts.

 

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM)

As part of Conservation Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.

 

Mentorship

These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; provide an

introduction to numerous pathways within the conservation field; and create accessible, meaningful, learning opportunities and technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Texas Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office assists managers in making sound decisions that build sustainable fisheries, recover endangered and threatened species, and maintain healthy ecosystems and habitats throughout Texas and the Gulf of America.

FWS Military Lands Conservation team is partnered with Joint Base San Antonio in San Antonio, TX and works closely with base staff on wildlife conservation and endangered species monitoring/management. The Individual Placement will be a member of the Military Lands Conservation team, helping to complete biological surveys, compiling biological data, and participating in community outreach events. By providing this support, the Individual Placement will help the Military Lands Conservation team fulfill its goal of aiding the natural resources team at Joint Base San Antonio in their mission to manage functional native ecosystems for military training.

The selected candidate will also have the opportunity to work with FWS biologists and fisheries biologists as well as natural resource managers, recreation managers, and conservation law enforcement officers working with the U.S Air Force.

Description of Duties:

· Collect chronic wasting disease (CWD) samples from harvested deer.

o Meet with hunters to make records of their harvest.

o Collect harvest data such as age, sex, weight, etc.

o Collect CWD samples.

· Deploy Trail Cameras.

o Carry a pack and navigate through dense forest habitat to survey locations with a GPS.

o Operate, program, and properly deploy trail cameras in the field.

o Accurately identify wildlife when analyzing trail camera data.

· Conduct Golden-cheeked Warbler point count surveys.

o Carry a pack and navigate through dense forest habitat to survey locations with a GPS.

o Accurately identify the various calls and behaviors of Golden-cheeked Warblers and Brown-headed Cowbirds.

o Accurately estimate distances of observed avian species.

o Accurately record data in the field and submit the data to a supervisor at the end of the field day.

 

Training Provided:

· CWD samples collection

· Use of RecAccess computer systems

· Collection of harvest data

· Hazardous material safety

· Proper protocol for trail camera operation and deployment

· Environmental safety considerations in the field

· Reporting and safety concerning unexploded ordinance

· Data organization and management

· Golden-cheeked Warbler and Brown-headed Cowbird identification

 

Conditions:

Handling sharp instruments, dealing with hazardous chemicals (bleach and formalin), collecting biological samples, following protocols to safely and correctly collect CWD samples, navigating densely forested habitats, uneven terrain, and steep inclines while hiking off-trail, presence of venomous fauna and noxious flora, potential for unexploded ordinance.

 

Qualifications:

· United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien

· At least 17 years of age

· Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or 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 Check.

· Valid U.S Driver’s License - Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years

· Per federal grant requirements, this position is for young adults between the ages of 18-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service.

· In possession of, or in pursuit of, a Bachelor’s of Science in environmental sciences, natural resource management, wildlife ecology, zoology, or a similar degree.

· A personal vehicle to travel to and from the duty station.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

· Previous experience conducting biological surveys.

 

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 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.

· Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain.

· Reasonable accommodation may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

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.

· Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff.

· Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, the FWS and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times.

· Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment.

 

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. 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 and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises.

· Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.

· If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others.

 

 

Substance Free:

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

 

Background Check:

A DOI background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The FWS will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant’s exact start date.

 

Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety.

 

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 recruitment process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

 

Time Requirements:

· Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break 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 training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.

 

 

Benefits:

· Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $5,176.50

· Living Allowance of $600 per week

· Additional Benefit of $200 per week

· Supply Fund of $400

· Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority upon completion of term (that allows for competitive hiring for USA jobs/government jobs)

· Healthcare Coverage

 

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.

 

Program Name and Contact Information:

Contact information:

Conservation Corps New Mexico Program Coordinator

SamJean Simmons ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org

Consideration will be given as applications are received and this position may close at any time.

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.