Maintenance Support Member - St Marks National Wildlife Refuge

American Conservation Experience; Saint Marks (FL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Gear reimbursement

Job summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), seeks one member to contribute to maintenance projects at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge.

The placement emphasizes hands-on maintenance, carpentry, and field exposure with mentorship from FWS staff. You will follow a Monday–Friday schedule, with some flexibility for weekends or holidays.

Qualifications

• Authorized to work in the United States; ACE does not provide visa sponsorship.
• 21+ to drive due to ACE insurance requirements.
• Willing to undergo background checks and pass them.
• Able to perform duties with or without accommodations.
• Complete bi-weekly timesheets and term evaluations.
• Able to operate safely around tools and adhere to safety protocols.
• Willing to learn and shadow different work groups.

Responsibilities

• Assist maintenance activities including mowing and weed-eating around offices and roadsides.
• Operate power tools (table saws, drills) for carpentry and maintenance tasks.
• Perform facilities maintenance: upkeep, cleaning, small repairs, and documentation.
• Shadow various work groups to gain conservation field exposure.
• Schedule mostly Monday–Friday with possible weekend/overtime as needed.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Professionalism

Job description

Summary

American Conservation Experience, a nonprofit Conservation Corps, in partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is seeking one member to contribute to maintenance projects under the mentorship of St Marks National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Staff.

For more information about ACE, please visit our website.

Start Date

11/02/2026 (Flexible start date available)

Estimated End Date

1/23/2027 (or 12 weeks later after the anticipated start date)

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

Location Details/Description

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge; St. Marks, FL

The Refuge was established in 1931 to provide wintering habitat for migratory birds. It is one of the oldest refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System. It encompasses over 83,000+ acres spread out between Wakulla, Jefferson, and Taylor counties, and includes about 43 miles along the Gulf Coast of northwest Florida. The Refuge includes coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and estuaries of seven north Florida rivers, and is home to a diverse community of plant and animal life. The Refuge also has strong ties to a rich cultural past, and is home to the St. Marks Lighthouse, which was built in 1842 (current tower) and is still in use today.

For more information about North Florida Refuges Complex, 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 St. Marks NWR.

During their term, the member will assist with maintenance activities which may include mowing and weedeating around offices, road sides, gates, etc. The member will use power tools, such as table saws, drills, etc., to complete a variety of carpentry and other maintenance tasks. The member will also do facilities maintenance including, but not limited to, general upkeep, cleaning, small repairs and administrative documentation.

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-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.

Position Benefits

Living Allowance

The ACE Member is expected to contribute ~40 hours/week and will receive a living allowance of $670/week to offset the costs of food and incidental expenses, dispersed bi-weekly.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority

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.

Housing

ACE members may be accommodated in provided FWS housing at no cost for the duration of the term, depending on availability. If not available, housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.

Gear Reimbursement

ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, socks, work pants, outerwear, 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. Specific training may include ATV/UTV.

Qualifications

Required

• Members must be authorized to work in the United States. ACE does not provide sponsorship for employment visas.
• 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.
• Members may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement.
• To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.

Preferred

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability/willingness to learn how to safely operate trucks, trailers, ATV/UTV, etc..
• Ability/willingness to learn how to operate various specialized tools and equipment required for maintenance duties.
• This position requires adaptability, as work plans can change at the last minute. Ideal candidates will be able to multitask and shift priorities to meet changing conditions.

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. Ability to hike over rough terrain.
• 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 25 lbs., ability to move up to 50 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such as gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• 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.

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.