Visitor and Community Engagement Member, National Key Deer Refuge

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 1 member to contribute to visitor and community engagement projects under the mentorship of National Key Deer Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: April 2026 (flexible)
Estimated End Date: January 2027

Commitment: 39 week minimum, approximately 1560 hours.

National Key Deer Refuge in Big Pine Key, FL. The Refuge was established in 1957 to protect and preserve the national interest in Key deer and other wildlife resources in the Florida Keys. The Refuge is located in the Lower Florida Keys, a hundred mile stretch of islands that extends south and west from south Florida. Habitats include pine rockland forests, tropical hardwood hammocks, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh wetlands, and mangrove forests.

National Key Deer Refuge is home to more than 20 endangered and threatened plant and animal species. The endangered Key deer are the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer found throughout much of North America and are unique to the lower Florida Keys.

For more information about the National Key Deer Refuge, please visit the FWS website.

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 National Key Deer Refuge.

• Assist in planning, organizing, and conducting special events on and offsite such as beach clean‑ups, trail maintenance workdays, and volunteer appreciation events.
• Conduct outreach at local events to promote the refuge.
• Staff the Visitor Center, including greeting and providing information to visitors as needed.
• Develop content for the refuge Facebook account.
• Work on special interpretive projects (e.g., brochure updates, news articles, exhibits, interpretive sign design).
• Support Florida Keys Wildlife Society Nature Store (open/close, run register as needed).
• Assist with Key Deer Research and Response Program activities: population surveys, movement tracking, collection of biological samples, data recording, coordination of volunteer response for injured, distressed or dead Key deer (carcass pickup and removal), outreach to educate visitors and community about Key deer and the refuge’s role.
• Other duties may include cleaning/maintenance of the Nature Center, exhibits, grounds, and vehicles; assisting with administrative duties (answering phones, filing, organizing documents, etc.).

This placement facilitates professional development, exposure to land management agencies, networking, and experience in different conservation fields.

Duties will primarily be carried out Tuesday‑Saturday. Bi‑weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. Flexible work schedule may be required, including work performed outside normal hours, weekends, and/or holidays. Time off may be granted; requests should be directed to ACE and FWS for approval.

• Living Allowance: Expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and receive $700/week living allowance, dispersed bi‑weekly.
• Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members may be eligible for federal hiring authority after completion of term and 640 hours of service. Details on eligibility available on our website.
• Housing: Provided FWS housing at no cost for duration of term.
• Relocation Allowance: Up to $400 for eligible relocation expenses, split at beginning and end of term. Receipts required; additional expenses require ACE approval.
• Gear Reimbursement: Up to $200 for eligible gear purchases (boots, socks, outerwear, sunglasses, work pants, etc.) with ACE approval.
• Training/Orientation: Position‑specific training and orientation covering ACE policies, prohibited activities, and support networks.

• Nature Center operations
• Nature Store operations and point of sale training
• Key Deer Research and Response Program operations
• Use of standard equipment (e.g., pickup, hand tools, office equipment)