Visitor Services Assistant - USFWS North Atlantic-Appalachian Regional Office, MA
ACE: Visitor Services Assistant - USFWS North Atlantic-Appalachian Regional Office, MA
Summary: American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the US Fish and Wildlife Service North Atlantic-Appalachian Regional Office in Hadley, Massachusetts, is seeking 1 Visitor Services Assistant to work directly with the USFWS staff and assist with a variety of visitor services related tasks. The selected candidate will assist with digital media projects, visitor services planning, design and planning of exhibits, and other related duties to the visitor services program.
These opportunities are intended for enthusiastic individuals with a degree (or pursuing a degree) in Environmental Studies, Environmental Education, Interpretation, Ecology, Natural Resource Management, Park and Recreation Management, Wildlife Biology, Forestry, Hydrology, GIS, Urban Planning, and/or related degree or relevant experience who possess an interest in gaining experience in the USFWS Regional Office setting.
Start Date: August 30, 2021
End Date: February 4, 2022 (23-weeks)
Location: North Atlantic-Appalachian Regional Office, Hadley, MA
Project Website: For more information about the USFWS Regional Office, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/
Compensation: ACE member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $800/week to cover the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.
Position Description:
· Digital Media Projects – 50%
The VS Assistant will primarily assist USFWS employees (regional visitor services team members, refuge managers, biologists, visitor services specialists, law enforcement officers, etc.) in the editing, development and review of digital media to improve the visitor experience, increase awareness of refuges, and ensure our visitors feel welcome. This will include developing printed and digital media such as refuge brochures, flyers, factsheets, and other interpretive media. In addition, the VS assistant will assist refuges with websites and social media platforms. This involves gathering, organizing, and interpreting information, data, literature, and relevant source materials, as well as writing, editing, and reviewing documents. The VS Assistant will also support regional Visitor Services team members and others in helping to ensure, when capable, that templates, policies, regulations, etc. have been followed.
The aforementioned activities require the ability to actively participate on interdisciplinary teams in the development, coordination, and review of digital media. The VS Assistant will help support Visitor Services team members and others with management.
· Visitor Services Planning – 25%
The VS Assistant will assist USFWS employees (regional visitor services team members, refuge managers, biologists, visitor services specialists, law enforcement officers, etc.) in visitor services program planning: developing or updating visitor services plans for national wildlife refuges in the North Atlantic-Appalachian Region. One focus will be on hunting and fishing plans as well as associated compatibility determinations, environmental assessments, maps, public information documents, and other necessary documents. Additionally, the VS Assistant will assist with other visitor services planning such as visitor services reviews and strategic implementation plans. This assistance involves gathering, organizing, and interpreting information, data, literature, and relevant source materials, as well as writing, editing, and reviewing documents. The VS Assistant will also support regional Visitor Services team members and others in helping to ensure, when capable, that templates, policies, regulations, etc. have been followed.
The aforementioned activities require the ability to actively participate on interdisciplinary teams in the development, coordination, and review of plans to conserve, protect, and enhance fish and/or wildlife and their habitats. The VS Assistant will help support Visitor Services team members and others with management.
· Exhibit Design and Planning
The VS Assistant will work with USFWS employees (regional visitor services team members, visitor services managers, park rangers, etc.) and contractors to assist with the development and design of refuge exhibits. Indoor exhibits may include three-dimensional structures, “immersive” environments, panel graphics, and specialized exhibit components such as artifact cases, dioramas, models, interactive devices and programs, audiovisual elements, and exhibit lighting. Outdoor exhibits are extensions of indoor interpretive themes carried to outdoor settings. Interpretive or informational waysides may include complex panel layouts, maps, or tactile elements. The VS Assistant will also assist with updating the exhibit handbook.
· Data/GIS Analysis
The VS Assistant will work with others (regional visitor services team, refuge managers, GIS specialists, etc.) to determine data needs, locate source material, interpret data, and conduct some simple geographic information system (GIS) mapping in support of digital media activities as detailed previously.
· Miscellaneous
The VS Assistant will help with various miscellaneous duties associated with the visitor services program in support of the USFWS mission.
Qualifications: Applicants for the position must hold or be pursuing a minimum of a bachelor's degree and/or have relevant experience in subject areas such as referred to above.
Required:
- U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
· Must be 18-35 years of age (Interns must be 21-35 to apply for any ACE position that requires or anticipates operation of agency or ACE vehicles for duties.)
· A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are required (documentation to be provided upon request)
- Ability to work alone and in a group
- Proficient in English
- Ability to undergo a federal criminal background check is required
- Wearing the ACE EPIC uniform components
- Knowledge of USFWS mission
- Ability and willingness to think critically
- Deep interest in problem solving
- Good writing and editing skills (ability to interpret in writing, biological data or outdoor recreation information for lay/general public audiences. Ability to write original compositions from baseline information.
- Experience in writing and developing printed and digital media (e.g., brochures, flyers, factsheets, exhibits, and other interpretive media).
- Good organizational skills (tracking actions and information, data management, and files management)
- Basic GIS knowledge and experience, primarily software to generate or update maps
- Knowledge of various forms of outreach materials, and content development for websites and social media sites in a business/professional setting is helpful
Please note: Marijuana and other
controlled substances are not allowed at any time during the performance of
duties or while on federal property, regardless of State law or qualified
medical marijuana card status.
To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your
interest and experience, academic transcripts and contact information through our external application system which Handshake will redirect applicants to.
Early consideration will be given as resumes are received.
This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this
position please feel free to contact ACE USFWS Division Recruitment and Member
Manager, Dave Hecker at dhecker@usaconservation.org or (801) 386-1629.
EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.