Internship - USFWS Lower Rio Grande NWR

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Student Conservation Association

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Alamo, TX, United States

Position Dates: 1/6/2025 - 7/5/2025 = 26wks


About us : The Student Conservation Association (SCA) is the largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and adults. Program participants protect and restore national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, cultural landmarks, and community green spaces, and much more across the country.


The SCA Lone Star Conservation Corps is a partnership between SCA, USFWS Lower Rio Grande National Wildlife Refuge and TX OneStar Foundation.

This position is a part of SCA Lone Star Conservation Corps, a 26-week AmeriCorps program focused on leadership development, completing critical conservation service projects, and building a sense of community. If you’ve ever wanted to learn the hard and soft skills of being a conservation steward, come join this community of like-minded, service oriented individuals and help us tackle some of Texas most pressing conservation issues in South Texas..


Site Description:

  • The South Texas Refuge Complex (STRC) protects 67,088 acres in extreme southern Texas, comprised of:Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge (LRGV NWR)
  • The LRGVNWR aims to connect fragmented habitats to achieve corridors for wildlife movement, seeking to conserve biodiversity through land acquisition, habitat restoration, and conservation education. Santa Ana NWR

Santa Ana NWR, located along the Rio Grande, was established for the protection of migratory birds. It is also included as an Urban Refuge through the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, seeks to engage the local community in conservation, both at the local refuges as well as in the local community.


Program Description:

The USFWS South TX Restoration Member, will serve on US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lands in the southern most areas of Texas for 16 weeks and will focus primarily on hands on removal through and treating invasive species across Refuge lands. This solo member position is for those who love a physical challenge! This member can expect to serve regularly in an extremely hot and humid environment on tough projects. Herbicide application is a major part of this position. This member will serve with USFWS staff to control invasive species mechanically and chemically. USFWS staff will train the member on species identification and treatment technique, GPS use, GIS data entry, and herbicide and environmental safety awareness. The Member will also have opportunities to be trained in other aspects of the Restoration Program and the Refuge’s Biology Program. Other service opportunities could include Nursery care & management, tree tube removals, plantings, in addition to supporting other SCA AmeriCorps member and teams.


" In addition to the outlined responsibilities, this position may also include support in visitor center/services operations, encompassing entry-level park ranger duties. Furthermore, there may be involvement in post-planting treatments, aligning with the refuge; s commitment to environmental stewardship. These additional duties contribute to the holistic efforts in maintaining and enhancing the refuge;


Equipment Use:

The refuge will provide all herbicide and application equipment for chemical treatment of invasive species. Any use of chemicals will require pesticide use training as well as a review of the label and safety data sheet for every chemical used. Use of personal protective equipment will be mandatory for any activity that requires it especially for herbicide and chainsaw application. Local training is allowed for small equipment such as lawn mowers, weed eaters, ATVs and UTVs. The refuge will provide specialized tools such as brush cutters when modified treatment techniques become necessary.


Disaster Response and Recovery: In the event of a local, state, or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or be required by OneStar to activate to assist in disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual service opportunities or in-person service opportunities. This may include service opportunities outside of the member’s standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties. In the event of a large-scale, high needs local, state, or federal disaster, AmeriCorps members may voluntarily or be required by OneStar to deploy to an area outside of their service area to assist in disaster response and recovery activities.


  • Responsibilities:    Ensure project, community, and general safety standards are upheld; full engagement is expected in all service projects and community activities.
  • Interfacing with general public and partner organizations in a manner that reflects positively upon the member, organization, and agency.
  • Recording service totals and creating reports for submission to agency partners; this may include GPS field data collection and post-processing.
  • Comply with all SCA, USFWS, and AmeriCorps policies and refrain from any prohibited activities.
  • Uniform: AmeriCorps Member will be required to wear the AmeriCorps and SCA logo daily
  • Member Benefits:
  • $520/week living allowance.
  • Housing provide at refuge
  • AmeriCorps Award (450 hours ) upon successful completion of program.
  • Member Assistance Program
  • On the job training with Natural Resource Professionals

Hours:

Corps members serve approximately 40 hours a week for a period of nine months. Members must achieve a minimum of 450 hours of service within that 26-week period.


**This position is part of a specialized SCA AmeriCorps program and if you are selected, you will be serving as an SCA AmeriCorps member. **


  • Member Qualifications    (Essential Functions). Preferred candidates have a demonstrated interest in habitat restoration and natural resources, have a positive attitude, and work well on a team.
  • Commitment to serving in conditions that will include: extreme heat, extreme cold, high winds, and precipitation.
  • Must be willing to learn how to use hand tools and power tools to accomplish service activities.
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs, and walk/hike on uneven terrain, uphill or downhill, for 1 mile.
  • Must be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member:
  • Be a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
  • Be at least 18 years or older;
  • Have a high school diploma or equivalent or actively working to obtain one;
  • Be willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks;

Additional Information:

It is our strong belief that equal opportunity for all members is central to the continued success of our programs. We will not discriminate against an applicant because of race, religious creed, religion, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, age, physical disability, mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expressions in selections, terminations and or recommendations. Opportunity is provided to all applicants in the basis of qualifications and program requirements. Upon request, reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants during the selection process and to members during service.


Must be eligible to serve as an AmeriCorps Member. This includes:

  • Being a citizen, permanent resident, or national of the United States;
  • Being at least 18 years or older;
  • Having a high school diploma or equivalent;
  • Being willing to undergo National Service Criminal History Check, including criminal background, sex offender and FBI checks.

Conditions of Employment

For SCA’s COVID guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid.