Invasive Species Member - Aransas National Wildlife Refuge

Invasive Species Support Member - Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking 2 Members to contribute to invasive plant management, long term monitoring, and biology support projects under the mentorship of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date:

February/March 2026

Estimated End Date:
August/September 2026

* a 26-week minimum commitment is required*

Location Details/

Description:

Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Austwell, TX

What is today known as Aransas National Wildlife Refuge first emerged 120,000 years ago during the Pleistocene era when a barrier island was born. The Pleistocene era passed into geological history; behind it was left the land and a few mementos of that era, including fossilized teeth and alligators.

Today, this landscape is best known for its prominent place in the American wildlife conservation movement. In 1941, when only 15 whooping cranes survived in the wild, the iconic bird became an emblem of alarm and concern for all endangered and threatened species. Aransas became a focal point of the national and worldwide effort to rescue the species from extinction.

Thankfully, due to the foresight of others, the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1937 to serve as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife and as an inviolate sanctuary, or for any other management purpose, for migratory birds. The Matagorda Island Unit of the refuge is a 56,683-acre natural area that was established to support the national migratory bird management program and to conserve endangered species.

The island has no public means of access. Its isolation provides an unparalleled opportunity for protection of its bountiful natural resources.

For more information about Aransas National Wildlife 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 Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.

The member will provide support and assistance under the guidance and direction of FWS staff in the following tasks:

• Invasive plant management (80%)
  • Herbicide treatment of the invasive species Chinese tallow using backpack sprayers, handheld sprayers, and UTV mounted sprayers
  • Safely and appropriately mix herbicides
  • Map treated areas using iPads, GPS coordinates, and Field Maps
  • Physical removal of invasive species utilizing hand tools, brush cutters, or chainsaws with the appropriate training
• Long term monitoring of the invasive species treatment (10%)
  • Survey off trail areas and identify invasive plant species
  • Follow protocols utilizing grids to document presence or absence of invasive species
  • Collect data and map the plant populations using iPads, GPS coordinates, and Field Maps
• Other invasives and biology tasks as assigned (10%)
  • Herbicide treatment of other invasive species such as phragmites, mccartney rose, and salt cedar.
  • Mottled duck banding potentially but not guaranteed
  • Assist with commercial crab trap clean-ups
  • Assist with feral hog trapping such as checking traps, baiting traps, and checking game cameras
  • Operate 4WD trucks and UTVs safely

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.

Duties will primarily be carried out Monday - Friday. 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.

The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $600/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Members serving under this agreement 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 and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

ACE members will be accommodated in provided…