Environmental Education 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 one member to contribute to environmental education projects under the mentorship of Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge Staff.
For more information about ACE, please visit our website.
Start Date: September 8, 2026
Estimated End Date: March 6, 2027
*a 26 week minimum commitment is required*
Location Details/Description: Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge Complex – New Orleans, LA
Bayou Sauvage Urban National Wildlife Refuge Complex is located in eastern New Orleans, Louisiana, and includes multiple refuge units serving urban and surrounding communities through conservation, education, and public engagement.
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.
The member will play a key support role in designing, launching, and sustaining comprehensive environmental education programming across the refuge complex. The position will focus on building a new, cohesive environmental education program that serves youth, educators, and community partners, while continuing to support and expand the Youth Envision Program in collaboration with the University of New Orleans (UNO) and other local partners. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape long-term education programming at an urban refuge and gain professional experience in program development, partnership coordination, and conservation education.
The member will support and lead environmental education initiatives, including but not limited to:
Environmental Education Program Development
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Design and implement a comprehensive environmental education program for the Bayou Sauvage Urban NWR Complex
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Develop age-appropriate, place-based curricula aligned with state education standards and refuge priorities
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Create lesson plans, hands-on activities, and field-based learning experiences focused on wildlife, habitats, and conservation
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Establish program goals, evaluation metrics, and documentation to support long-term sustainability
Youth Envision Program Support
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Continue and strengthen the Youth Envision Program in partnership with the University of New Orleans and other collaborators
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Coordinate logistics, scheduling, and communication with partners and participating youth
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Support mentorship, career exploration, and workforce development components of the program
PartnershipCommunity Engagement
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Build and maintain partnerships with schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, and community groups
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Collaborate with refuge staff and partners to co-create programming that reflects community needs and interests
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Assist with outreach efforts to promote education opportunities and recruit participants
Program DeliveryFacilitation
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Lead and support environmental education programs for students, teachers, and youth groups
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Facilitate outdoor learning experiences on the refuge
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Adapt programming to meet the needs of various audiences and learning styles
EvaluationReporting
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Track participation, outcomes, and feedback for education programs
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Assist with reporting and documentation for ACE, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and partners
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Contribute to recommendations for program improvement and long-term integration into refuge operations
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 flexibility to work occasional Saturdays as needed. 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 900-hour AmeriCorps Education Award while serving under the EAP 2025/26 grant year program, valued up to $3,697.50 upon successful completion of a complete service term and 900 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: Housing is the responsibility of the member and not provided by ACE or FWS.
Housing Allowance: ACE members will receive up to $200/week to be used for housing expenses. Receipts for housing expenses must be provided. Further details regarding distribution of these funds will be provided during the interview process.
Gear Reimbursement: ACE members will have up to $200 to spend on eligible gear purchases. Eligible gear for this position includes boots, outerwear, sunglasses, socks, work pants, 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:
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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
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Willing and able to represent ACE and the partner organization in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner.
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Ability to be both self-directed/work alone, and be a positive, contributing member of a group.
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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.
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Willing to undergo and must pass the required criminal history checks
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Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
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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.
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Member may not participate in any prohibited activities as listed in the Member Service Agreement or as defined by AmeriCorps.
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To learn more about eligibility requirements, please visit our website.
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Strong interest in environmental education, youth programming, and community-based learning
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Excellent communication, facilitation, and organizational skills
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Ability to work independently and manage long-term projects
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Willingness to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
Preferred:
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Bachelor's degree in environmental studies, education, biology, natural resources, or a related field (or equivalent experience)
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Experience developing or delivering environmental education or youth programs
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Experience working with schools, universities, or community partners
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Familiarity with curriculum development and evaluation methods
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Interest in urban conservation and workforce development
Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:
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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.
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Vision Requirements: Requires close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus.
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Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 10 lbs., ability to move up to 25 pounds.
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Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
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Noise Environment: Moderate noise such as in a business office with equipment and light traffic.
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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.
