Position Title: Biological Science Individual Placement – AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico

Site Location: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

3800 Commons Ave NE Albuquerque NM, 87109

COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED

Terms of Service:

· Start Date: 2/2/2026

· End Date: 7/31/2026

· AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 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; introduce participants to numerous pathways within the conservation field; create meaningful learning

opportunities; and provide technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.

 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife (FWS) Military Lands Conservation Program (MLCP) fosters collaborative partnerships with the Department of Defense (DOD) to promote conservation of military lands. In New Mexico, the MLCP works with three Air Force bases to implement each bases Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan (INRMP). Kirtland Airforce Base (AFB) works with the New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office to monitor and conserve natural resources found on the base.

 

The selected individual placement will assist the MLCP in supporting Kirtland AFB’s INRMP by conducting wildlife surveys, data collection, and habitat restoration. The individual placement will gain technical skills specifically in bird survey/monitoring/identification, wetland restoration, and acoustic bat survey.

There will be several opportunities for the individual placement to learn from different DOD natural resource and FWS biologists as well as participate in a variety of projects as time allows. The FWS also partners with state agencies such as New Mexico Game and Fish, providing potential networking opportunities with other agencies.

 

Description of Duties:

· Conduct avian surveys including Pinyon Jay, Grey Vireo and Loggerhead Shrike.

o Learn Bird identification by sight and call.

o Locate areas on base with the nesting pairs/population.

o Keep field notes of date, location and time of bird observations.

· Conduct Burrowing Owl Surveys.

o Learn Bird identification by sight and call.

o Locate areas on base with the nesting pairs/population.

o Keep field notes of date, location and time of owl nest burrows/observations.

o Set up trail cameras on nesting burrows.

· Habitat Restoration

o Nonnative vegetation management/removal.

o Monitor nonnative vegetation stands for regrowth and re-treatment after regrowth - specific tasks will be determined based on individual placement’s ability to obtain an NM pesticide operating/technician license. More information will be given during the interview.

o Document status of treated nonnative vegetation.

 

Training Provide:

· Bird identification resources (field guides, Merlin Bird ID App, etc.)

· How to use a spotting scope

· How to use a trail camera

· Training in using tools for non-native vegetation management

· Plant identification

· Mower safety

· Pesticide application

Conditions:

Exposure to heat, cold, sun and wind; hiking in steep uneven terrain.

 

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 17-30 (35 for veterans) at the time the individual begins term of service.

· Two-year associates degree in a natural resource field.

 

Preferred Qualifications:

· Four-year degree with an emphasis on wildlife, fisheries, or biology.

 

 

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 CCNM, FWS, DOD 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 they are 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/DOD 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 recruiting 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 $3,697.50

· Living Allowance of $600 per week.

· Additional Benefit of $200 per week.

· Training and travel funds of $3,000.

· Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority upon completion of term (certificate 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:

CCNM Individual Placement 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.

 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.