Biological Field Individual Placement

Position Title:  Biological Field Individual Placement – AmeriCorps  

Conservation Legacy Program: Conservation Corps New Mexico 

Site Location: Natural & Cultural Resource Management Branch, U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Cavazos Installation 

1939 Rod & Gun Club Loop, Fort Cavazos, TX 

 COVER LETTER AND RESUME REQUIRED TO BE CONSIDERED 

Terms of Service: 

Start Date: 5/05/25 

End Date: 10/17/25 

AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 900 Hours  

Purpose: 

AmeriCorps is the federal agency for national service and volunteerism. AmeriCorps provides opportunities for Americans of all backgrounds to serve their country, address the nation’s most pressing challenges, and improve lives and communities. Environmental stewardship programs help conserve natural habitats, improve energy efficiency, protect clean air and water, among other environmental efforts. 

Conservation Corps New Mexico (CCNM) 

As part of Conservation Legacy and an AmeriCorps program, CCNM aims to continue the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930's. CCNM is focused on connecting youth, young adults, and recent era military veterans with conservation service work projects on public lands. CCNM operates programs across southern New Mexico and western Texas that engage individuals and strengthen communities through service and conservation. The CCNM Las Cruces office manages the Individual Placement Program.  

Mentorship 

These Individual Placements are unique development AmeriCorps positions. Participants are paired with a local supervisor and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies. Site supervisors commit to facilitate career development; provide an introduction to numerous pathways within the conservation field; and create accessible, meaningful, learning opportunities and gain technical, hands-on experience in the work of these organizations or agencies.  

The Fort Cavazos Natural and Cultural Resources Management Branch monitors, protects, sustains, enhances, and manages the natural resources (ecosystems and wildlife populations) on Fort Cavazos so Soldiers can conduct mission training. 

The selected candidate will support staff with additional understanding of bat and fish populations distribution, timing, and occurrence on the Installation. This is critical information for writing Biological Assessments, Section 7 consultation and Biological Opinion compliance, making ecosystem and species level management decisions, and assessing impacts/resiliency in accordance with natural resource management plans and military training landscape plans.  

The Individual Placement will gain exposure to a variety of wildlife as well as hands on field experience gathering data utilizing a variety of methods and wildlife survey equipment. Additionally, the candidate will gain experience planning and executing field surveys, collecting and managing field data, and collating/organizing data for analyses. 

  
Description of Duties: 

Fish surveys  

Surveys will occur weekly or bi-weekly and will always be supervised and crewed by 2-3 permanent Cavazos staff.  

Assist staff with electrofishing and seine surveys in streams.  

Use instruments to measure site-specific water quality parameters.  

Assist staff with all aspects of the survey, including recording data and experiencing how to conduct a habitat assessment. 

Bat acoustic detector work  

Detector work would occur multiple times a week. 

Individual Placement will assist staff with field work under the supervision of a Corps of Engineers contracted bat technician.  

Conduct site assessment for detector deployment suitability 

Assemble/disassemble detector rig; microphone positioning; and testing, programming, and activating detector unit. 

Conduct frequent checks for power source maintenance, data downloads, and overall rig intactness/security; and obtaining/recording site habitat conditions. 

Data entry and preparing/transferring acoustic files to hard drives.  

Data download, management, and office work related to fish and bat projects.   

Qualifications: 

United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien 

At least 17 years of age. 

Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award. 

Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check. 

Valid U.S Driver’s License - Drivers must be over 21 or have had a license for at least 3 years. 

Per federal grant requirements, this position is for young adults between the ages of 17-30 (35 for veterans), inclusive, at the time the individual begins term of service. 

Personal vehicle for use outside of service hours. 

Bachelor's degree in the Natural Sciences (Biology, Natural Resources, Wildlife Management, etc.). 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Ability to navigate using map, compass, and GPS unit.  

Experience operating a 4WD vehicle on rugged terrain in various conditions (for example- muddy, wet, and rocky slope trails). 

Ability to tolerate working in hot, outdoor environment with biting invertebrates and toxic plants and reptiles.  

Ability to navigate on foot carrying wildlife equipment (50 lbs. or less). 

Comfort with working around military vehicles/aircraft, Soldiers, and military training gunfire sound (Individual Placement will NOT be in danger areas such as impact areas, ranges, and blast areas; however, these sounds will be frequently apparent).   

Physical Requirements: 

To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc. May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis. He/she must be able to operate office equipment, telephone, and computer and reach with hands and arms.  

Ability to hike and navigate in rough terrain. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  

Participation and Expedition Behavior: 

Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions. This may require problem solving on an interpersonal or group level as well as a willingness to accept differences. 

Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason. 

Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program including conservation projects, education, training, and national service. 

Effectively communicate ideas and concerns as they arise directly to supervisors, colleagues, and organization staff. 

Appropriately represent Conservation Corps New Mexico, Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), Fort Cavazos Installation, and AmeriCorps to the public and partners at all times. 

Flexibility, adaptability, and capacity to work in a fluid, changing work environment. 

Safety and Judgment:  

Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of danger others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need for assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds. 

Effectively perceive and understand significant and apparent hazards and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during the exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises. 

Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions. 

If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self- medicating without assistance from others. 

Substance Free: 

In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in AmeriCorps and program activities and while on organization property. 

Background Check: 

A DOI/DOD background clearance must be completed before the selected candidate may report for service. The FWS/Fort Cavazos Installation will provide instructions for completion of the clearance after a candidate has been selected and will notify them when they have been cleared to start service. This process will determine the participant’s exact start date. 

Participants will have access to government facilities and systems, and will be supplied with access to gov’t vehicles, equipment, and materials needed to work on the projects and activities as outlined above. Participants must adhere to all government regulations and policies for operating equipment, vehicles, security awareness, and safety. 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager. 

Time Requirements: 

Typically, this position is expected to serve Monday to Friday, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.  

Member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term. 

Orientation and Training: 

Member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities. 

Benefits: 

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $3,697.50 

Living Allowance of $600 per week. 

Additional Benefit of $275 per week. 

Professional Development funds $2,500. 

Public Lands Corps Hiring Authority upon completion of term (that allows for competitive hiring for USA jobs/government jobs). 

Healthcare Coverage.  

Childcare Coverage if Eligible. 

Loan forbearance if Eligible. 

Interest Payments if Eligible. 

Evaluation and Reporting: 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service. 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking. 

Program Name and Contact Information: 

SamJean Simmons – CCNM Individual Placement Coordinator 

Contact information: 

ssimmons@conservationlegacy.org 

 Consideration will be given as applications are received and this position may close at any time. 

 We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.  

 We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.