Visitor Services & Community Outreach Member - Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge

Visitor Services & Community Outreach Member - Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife 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 services and community outreach projects under the mentorship of Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date: June 1, 2026

Estimated End Date: August 22, 2026

*a 12 week minimum commitment is required, approximately 480 hours*

Location Details/Description: Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, New Orleans, LA

Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge is located in eastern New Orleans, Louisiana. The refuge provides critical coastal habitat while serving surrounding urban communities through recreation, education, and outreach programs.

For more information about Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge, please visit the FWS website.

Position Overview: 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 Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge. This position provides hands-on experience supporting visitor services, community engagement, outdoor recreation, and environmental education at the second largest urban national wildlife refuge in the United States.

The member will work closely with refuge staff to help connect communities to nature, enhance visitor experiences, and support programs that encourage outdoor recreation, stewardship, and conservation awareness. This position is ideal for an individual interested in public lands, community outreach, environmental education, and conservation.

The member will support a wide range of visitor services and outreach activities, including but not limited to:

Visitor Services & Public Engagement

• Assist with daily visitor services operations, including greeting visitors and providing information about refuge resources, trails, and programs
• Support special events, guided walks, wildlife observation programs, and outdoor recreation activities
• Help maintain visitor contact records and assist with tracking program participation

Community Outreach & Partnerships

• Assist refuge staff with outreach to local schools, community organizations, and partners
• Support planning and implementation of community-based events, festivals, and off-site outreach activities
• Help develop outreach materials such as flyers, signage, and social media content

Interpretation & Volunteer Programs

• Help deliver hands-on, place-based learning activities focused on wildlife, habitats, and conservation
• Assist FWS staff with development of volunteer program, including recruitment, hiring, and overall management of program
• Support development of interpretive materials that connect visitors to the refuge's natural and cultural resources

Outdoor Recreation & Stewardship

• Support outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, wildlife viewing, birding, and paddling programs
• Assist with volunteer-led activities and stewardship events
• Help promote responsible recreation and conservation ethics

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.

Schedule: Duties will primarily be carried out Monday to Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm, with frequent Saturday work and schedule flexibility required. Bi-weekly totals should not exceed 80 hours. A flexible work schedule will be required, as work will take place on some evenings and weekends. Time off may be granted and requests should be directed to ACE and the FWS for approval.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance: The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $450/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

AmeriCorps Education Award Program: This position may be eligible for a 450 hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2025/26 grant year program, valued up to $1,956.35 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 450 hrs. Please note, AmeriCorps position eligibility is not guaranteed and may not be available for all positions.

Loan Forbearance: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Qualifying Child Care Coverage: AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage. Additional enrollment steps are required.

This position is part of the Public Land Corps Hiring Authority: Members serving under this agreement must meet the PLC Eligibility requirements to be considered for this position. Members 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 (You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35) and citizenship. Please contact ACE staff with questions about eligibility, or view general eligibility information on our website.

Housing: ACE members will be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term.

Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes, outerwear, footwear, socks, work pants, sunglasses, etc., and must be approved by ACE staff prior to purchase.

Provided Training/Orientation: ACE members will receive position specific training and an orientation outlining ACE policies and procedures, clear guidance on prohibited activities, and networks for support.

Qualifications

Required:

• Must be a United States Citizen, United States National or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien of the United States, as required by U.S. government contracts
• Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
• Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.

• A valid driver's license and an insurable driving record (documentation to be provided upon request). Members must be 21 to drive due to ACE's insurance and liability requirements.

• Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• ACE Members will need to complete bi-weekly timesheets, beginning of term feedback forms, end of term evaluations and for longer terms, a mid-term evaluation.
• Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.
• Interest in conservation, community engagement, outdoor recreation, or environmental education
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends

Preferred:

• Coursework or experience in environmental studies, biology, education, recreation, communications, or a related field
• Experience working with youth, volunteers, or community groups
• Familiarity with social media, outreach materials, or public programming
• Interest in working with New Orleans East communities

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools, computer keyboard/mouse and other office equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch.
• 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., ability to move up to 25 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
• Travel: This position does not require unique travel.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

Vehicle and Equipment Use/Safety: If a vehicle is required for the accomplishment of the duties, one will be provided by the FWS or ACE. Any tools required for the accomplishment of the duties will be provided by the FWS. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE), typically provided by the FWS, will be mandatory for any activity that requires it. Strict adherence to FWS and ACE equipment training, certification and safety protocols is required.

To Apply: Please submit your resume, a cover letter demonstrating your interest and experience, and contact information for three professional/academic references to ACE's online application page for this position on our website.Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time. If you have any questions regarding this position please feel free to contact ACE EPIC FWS Member Manager, Cait Dunne.

If you meet at least 70 percent of the qualifications, we want to hear from you!

ACE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information when you are hired to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

EEO: Employment or Service with ACE is based upon ability, qualifications, attitude, and job-related factors. Every qualified employee, member, or applicant has the same opportunity for recruitment, hire, training, transfer, promotion, compensation, demotion, termination, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, creed, national origin, pregnancy, ancestry, citizenship status, genetic information, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, medical condition, marital or parental status, political affiliation, ethnicity, hair texture or style, arrest record, caste, hereditary status, endogamy, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal law.

Salary : $450