National Visitor Survey Field Coordinator, EPIC FWS

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, provides professional development opportunities for young adults seeking to enhance their career experience. ACE's Emerging Professionals in Conservation (EPIC) program has a national reputation for providing young adults and recent graduates with hands-on, professional development individual placement opportunities to work alongside and under the guidance of agency mentors as they apply their knowledge of resource management on their path to becoming the next generation of resource and land managers.

Job Title: National Visitor Survey Field Coordinator

Location: US Fish & Wildlife Service Natural Resource Program Center, Fort Collins, CO (this is an onsite-based position, with option to telework up to 3 days/week).

Department/Division: EPIC (US Fish & Wildlife Service)

Status: Temporary, Full-Time, Salaried (Exempt); 1-year term with potential to extend.

Schedule/Hours: ​​Full-time, 40 hours/week with additional hours as needed. Hybrid work environment; 2 days/week required in the office with option to work from home other days. Typical work hours of 9:00am-5:00pm (Monday - Friday) local time with some adjustment expected to accommodate specific projects and program needs. Some evening and weekend hours may be occasionally required.

Reports To: Associate Division Director, EPIC FWS Division.

Travel Required: Travel to project sites or visiting intern teams up to 4-5 weeks/year.

Start Date: November/December 2023.

Position Summary:

American Conservation Experience, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking a National Visitor Survey Field Coordinator to oversee field logistics for a nationwide survey of visitors to National Wildlife Refuges. Understanding and characterizing visitors and their experiences on refuges is a critical element of managing the lands and waters that comprise the National Wildlife Refuge System.

The National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey effort is led by the FWS Human Dimensions (HD) Branch, and provides the FWS with information regarding visitors' recreational, educational, and informational experiences, as well as visitors' levels of satisfaction with current services and facilities. Ultimately, the collection of information from refuge visitors helps the FWS to track and understand how some of the complex changes occurring within American society (e.g., demographic changes, stakeholder preferences) are likely to affect the future of the Refuge System. In 2018, teams of ACE EPIC members began recruiting survey participants at refuges that have at least 50,000 visits, with approximately 35-50 refuges surveyed each year since.

The National Visitor Survey Field Coordinator will oversee and provide logistical support to the ACE EPIC field teams as they travel across the country. Specific work will entail communication, logistical planning, intern professional development and support, and project and team coordination to develop sampling schedules that ensure an adequate sample of refuge visitors. This position will be an ACE employee, but will work directly both with FWS staff in the Natural Resource Program Center in Fort Collins, CO and with ACE staff of the EPIC FWS Division, who work remotely and are based in various locations throughout the United States.

The National Visitor Survey Field Coordinator will frequently interact with ACE applicants and participants, partners, the public as well as other ACE staff and as such is expected to maintain a professional demeanor, positive attitude, and willingness to act as an ambassador of ACE's program at all times while embodying ACE Core Values of Quality, Inclusion, Professional Development, Stewardship, and Partner-Immersed.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Oversee and support field teams of ACE interns (typically 3-4 teams of 2) as they travel nationally to recruit participants for the National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Survey.
• Lead orientations and debriefs for field team cohorts, including training in sampling techniques; project protocols and field skills; administering gear; and conducting exit interviews.
• Participate in interviewing and selecting field team members.
• Conduct check-ins with teams on a regular, recurring basis.
• Secure housing and make travel arrangements for field teams.
• Troubleshoot any challenges or barriers teams face when recruiting visitors, unexpected incidents, and vehicle issues (sometimes outside of normal business hours).
• Consult with refuge staff to identify sampling dates and locations for onsite visitor sampling and develop sampling schedules for field teams.
• Manage project expense tracking.
• Ensure integrity of data through regular review and quality control of collected information.
• Identify and facilitate cross-training and professional development opportunities for field teams
• Travel to refuges to conduct visitor sampling as needed.
• Participate in ACE staff trainings and events as well as FWS agency trainings and events, as applicable.
• Adhere to ACE and FWS safety policies and procedures.
• Support ACE and FWS efforts to expand the diversity of participants in our programming and make our programs more accessible to young people of all backgrounds.
• Responsibilities and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by ACE and FWS partners.

Required Experience and Qualifications:

• Applicants must have completed a BA/BS degree in social/cultural/environmental science, planning, anthropology, natural resource management, parks, tourism and recreation, ecology or other related disciplines appropriate to the position.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, including highly effective time management, organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience leading teams, including delegating tasks, promoting teamwork, resolving conflict and evaluating performance/providing feedback (remote teams preferred).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively work with a diverse range of people.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on projects.
• Strong computer management skills including experience or willingness to learn iOS, MS Office, Google Suite; experience with ESRI products (Survey123, Story Maps) preferred
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports
• Ability to independently manage one's workload.
• Commitment to ACE's mission of public service through youth development & volunteerism.
• A deep and continuing interest in the welfare and professional development of ACE participants.
• Must be flexible and eager to engage with the highly mobile and predominantly remote teams that make up ACE.
• Ability to receive and provide constructive feedback.
• Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
• Ability to understand and follow ACE & FWS systems and processes following initial job training.
• Commitment to helping ACE advance its goals around justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI)
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

Encouraged but not required:

• Knowledge of survey sampling techniques and methods.
• Knowledge and or understanding of corps-oriented, non-profit organizations.

• Knowledge and or understanding of the US Fish & Wildlife Service or federal land management agencies.
• Experience with the US Fish & Wildlife Service, or passionate about implementing its mission to, "work with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people."
• Our ideal candidate is early in their career with the FWS or conservation programming and is interested in enhancing their leadership and project management skills

Other Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
• Valid driver's license and an insurable driving record
• Proficient in English
• Ability to pass a federal criminal background check
• Willing to abide by ACE Policy and Federal Drug Free workplace policies and laws. ACE reserves the right to drug test at any time.

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talks and hears. Manual dexterity required for use of computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Occasionally required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch (all physical demands are required with or without reasonable accommodations).
• Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., occasionally moves up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Mainly indoor, office environment conditions; indoor air quality is good and temperature is controlled.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position may require domestic travel as needed (to visit project sites/recruitment events)

Compensation: Starting annualized salary of $52,000 (assuming 40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year) with a $3,000 moving stipend.

Benefits: ACE offers competitive medical and ancillary plans (health, mental health, dental, vision and other supplemental benefits). ACE Staff members are also eligible to participate in ACE's retirement plan with a 1% employer contribution.

Holidays, Vacation, and Sick Time: As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to accrue up to 80 hours of paid vacation time annually during your first two years of continuous employment, then it increases to 120 hours annually. ACE observes 13 paid annual holidays (floating holiday flexibility). ACE provides 10 days (or 80 hours) of paid sick time annually.

Additional Benefits:

Outdoor Perks - As an ACE staff member, you will be eligible to receive pro deals which include deep discounts on outdoor gear providing 30 - 50% off retail prices on 100s of established outdoor gear brands.

Phone Provided or Reimbursement Option: You have the option to select one of the following options: ACE work phone device/number provided or monthly phone reimbursement for personal device/number use.

To Apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter describing your relevant experience and why you are a good fit for this position. Please submit your application using the online application link. Qualified applicants may be contacted directly to schedule an interview. All application materials must be submitted to be considered for this opportunity.

For specific questions not answered above, please contact: ACE EPIC FWS Associate Director, Karen Vaughn (kvaughn@usaconservation.org)

ACE values an inclusive workforce - if you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

Learn more about ACE on our WEBSITE or check out our INSTAGRAM!

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.

Current Openings for National Visitor Survey Field Coordinator, EPIC FWS Jobs at American Conservation Experience - Staff