Generation Green AmeriCorps Cave and Bat Program Position Description Deschutes National Forest

Position Overview:

The wildlife program at Bend/Ft. Rock Ranger District proposes to utilize three Generation Green AmeriCorps service positions for the summer of 2019 to assist with white-nose syndrome (WNS) risk reduction efforts at developed recreational cave sites, backcountry cave management, bat monitoring and habitat use documentation and education/community outreach efforts. Generation Green AmeriCorps members will not directly handle bats. Service will be completed alongside experienced wildlife staff and will include exposure to a variety of ongoing wildlife project work. This service is anticipated to accomplish improved management of over 30 priority cave sites, affecting over 1500 acres of bat habitat.

We invite members of all diverse communities to join our team as we endeavor to best serve those on our national forests and grasslands from every background. Discover Your Forest values diversity and inclusion. By welcoming differences and providing professional enrichment opportunities we are better able to serve those around us.

Number of Positions: 3 individuals

Duration: 675 Hours total, 25-30 hours per week

Salary: $4000 total stipend. $200 per week paid biweekly

Scholarship: $2,321 Segal Education Award

Job Type: Temporary Service Position

Department: Wildlife Biology

Recruitment: Final selections to be made by mid-April 2019

The 21st Century Conservation Service Corps (21CSC) Internship program is as follows:

  • Age requirement: 18-30
  • Term of Service: 675 hours and then the AmeriCorps member will receive 2-Year noncompetitive status hiring authority.
    • Noncompetitive hiring status means the ability to apply and be considered for vacancies within the Forest Service without competitive examination or competing with career or career-conditional employees under internal merit staffing procedures for any position which eligible. Candidates applying under this authority are considered with other noncompetitive candidates.
  • Provide conservation education and exposure to natural resources through mentorship and job shadow opportunities and educational experiences to high school and college students as well as recent graduates in either natural resources, cultural resources, recreation, or engineering.
  • All participants will have the opportunity to gain experience with other U.S. Forest Service programs outside of their targeted program area.

Specific duties include but not limited to:

  • Screening visitors and maintaining decontamination infrastructure at Lava River Cave (LRC)
  • Assisting with cave inventory
  • Human use monitoring and mitigation
  • Bat survey work (acoustic recording and emergence counts)

Qualified candidate will be/have:

  • Ability to spend long days in the field under varying weather conditions
  • Ability to hike over rough, uneven terrain
  • Use a map, compass and GPS device
  • Good communication and organization skills
  • Ability to work in small teams, show initiative and use creative problem solving skills
  • Interest in a wildlife/natural resource management career
  • Must be a US Citizen and pass a background check
  • Valid driver’s license (preferred but not required)

What is the education value to the member? or Skills the member will develop:

  • The term of service will allow the student to put into practice his/her academic knowledge.
  • Enhance employment opportunities in Natural Resources field
  • Gain a broad perspective of bat and cave management and sustainability through exposure to a variety of duties.
  • Discover strengths and weaknesses.
  • Opportunity to network with a diverse group of professionals: formal and non-formal educators, scientists, U.S. Forest Service specialists as well as other natural resource agencies.
  • Gain valuable hands-on experience on projects in an outdoor setting
  • Acquire a realistic career orientation.

Working Conditions:

Schedule will likely include weekend shifts and some evening work hours. Most assigned tasks will occur above ground – cave entry will only occur following strict safety protocols.

Orientation & Onboarding:

We may conduct reference checks as part of our recruitment process. We will conduct a three part criminal background checks on final candidate as required for the position. AmeriCorps online
registrations will need to be completed by final candidates.

Questions and How to Apply:

  • For more information contact Stacey Cochran, Discover Your Forest’s Community Engagement Director, at 541-383-5530 or stacey.cochran@discovernw.org
  • To apply: Email Cover Letter and Resume to Stacey.cochran@discovernw.org. The cover letter should address your experience in (area of your internship) or interest in (area of your internship)