Length:
Term of positions is 26 weeks; full-time 40 hours per week
Location:
Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Living Allowance:
$600/week
AmeriCorps Award:
Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $3,447.50 (pre-tax).
Start Date:
Flexible Start Date dependent on Candidate
Application Due Date:
Position Open Until Filled
Title of Position
Hydrology Intern
Position Details:
Stewards Individual Placements (Stewards) provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and preserve our natural resources. Participants work with federal agencies, tribal governments, and nonprofits building institutional capacity, developing community relationships, and supporting ecosystem health. Stewards in partnership with the Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge Complex are seeking an intern who will help to produce up to 760 acres of forage crops for migratory waterfowl and cranes, improve water management to maintain and enhance 500 to 700 acres of wetlands in over 42 impoundments, and develop and implement plans to realign and restore over a 3/4 mile stretch along the Mora River.
The Northern New Mexico National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex has three refuges; Las Vegas NWR, Maxwell NWR and Rio Mora NWR. The Las Vegas and Maxwell NWRs have a goal to manage irrigation water to optimize production of irrigated croplands that sustain migratory birds and enhance the quality and quantity of the Refuge wetlands to support migratory birds and other wetland dependent species. The Rio Mora NWR has a primary goal to reestablish the dynamic channel processes of the Mora River that will nudge the river toward increased hydraulic and habitat diversity, as well as improved floodplain access and greater channel length to maintain diverse and resilient riverine habitats, attenuated flood peaks, and enhanced alluvial storage.
The WaterCorps member will be working closely with refuge biologists, regional biometricians and hydrologists. They will assist in training and providing the member with the skills to complete the tasks of the position.
Position Responsibilities will include:
- Responsible for play lake management, daily water delivery and irrigation at Las Vegas and Maxwell NWRs.
- Assist biologist and maintenance staff with the farming programs.
- Collecting and record soil samples.
- Develop an infrastructure database to monitor, track, and update water routing at Las Vegas and Maxwell NWRs using ArcGIS Online.
- Assist with the design and development of river restoration plans at Rio Mora NWR.
- Lead partners and volunteers in planting of native riparian species.
- Assist partners with pre- and post-riverbank restoration monitoring and invasive species monitoring.
- Assist with wildlife surveys (elk, waterbird/waterfowl, etc).
- Assist with refuge hunting program; develop outreach materials, check-in and out with hunters, etc.
- Assisting with occasional maintenance improvements and janitorial duties.
- Develop and implement the wildlife camera monitoring project at Rio Mora NWR.
- Assist with outreach and education programs and/or videos focusing on riparian ecosystems.
- Willing to work outside in a range of climate conditions.
- Willing to undergo and pass a required criminal history check.
- Must have a good driving record along with a current drivers license.
- A strong interest in a career in natural resource conservation science.
- You must be eligible to serve in AmeriCorps State & National direct Service programs (must not have served more than 4 terms in AmeriCorps).
- You must be available to work a 40-hour week for the 26-week term
- You must be between 18 and 34 years of age.
- You must have received a High School Diploma or GED
- You must be a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe, Band, or Village; Alaska Native; or meet one of the following descriptions:
- Persons who possess at least one-half degree Indian blood derived from Tribes Indigenous to the United States.
- Descendants of Members of Federally-Recognized Indian Tribes, Bands or Communities who were residing on any Indian Reservation on June 1, 1934 shown by completing BIA Form 4432.
- ArcGIS experience
- Data entry and field experience
- Living Allowance: $600/week (pre-tax)
- Shared housing is available on-site, near Watrous, NM. Very remote area. Las Vegas, NM is the closest town with grocery stores and restaurants.
- Position is eligible for an AmeriCorps education award upon successful completion of the program. Value of education award is $3,447.50 (pre-tax).
- Student loan forbearance and Health Insurance.
- Defensive Driving and UTV Certification
Apply on-line at: (link removed) In addition to your resume, please submit a one-page cover letter highlighting why you are interested in this position and how your background and experience will help you succeed in this position.
If you have questions about this position, please contact Rio Mora NWR Assistant Refuge Manager Jon Erz: jon_erz@fws.gov or Stewards Program Coordinator James Gasaway: (link removed)>
This program is available to all, without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information, and military service. Where a significant portion of the population eligible to be served needs services or information in a language other than English, the recipient shall take reasonable steps to provide written material of the type ordinarily available to the public in appropriate languages.
Required Skills
Required Experience