AIS Prevention Technicians

Position Title: Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Technician (Position Announcement PDF)

Position Service Site: Voyageurs National Park, MN

Service Time: April 28 – August 29, 2025 (675-Hour AmeriCorps Term, 18 Weeks, 40 Hours/Week)

Benefits: Living Stipend for the whole term = $9,000 ($500/Week), Education Award = approximately $2,800 upon completion of service. To find out more about the Award, https://americorps.gov/members-volunteers/segal-americorps-education-award/find-out-more. $175 boot reimbursement & mileage reimbursement.

Onsite shared housing is available. Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other program/organization/agency members. They should expect 2-3 roommates and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodation.

OVERVIEW: Voyageurs National Park encompasses over 218,000 acres of woods, water, stone, and sky in the boreal forest along the Canadian border. There are over 200 water-based campsites; 3 visitor centers; Kettle Falls Hotel, a concession-operated hotel, restaurant, and bar, accessible only by boat; 45 miles of trails; 3 boat launches; and 15 miles of roads. The park is 40% water, and its lakes are identified as outstanding resource-value waters by Minnesota. These include 4 large lakes—Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan and Sand Point—and 26 smaller remote lakes accessible only by hiking.

In 2021, Rainy Lake, the largest park lake, was infested with zebra mussels, a highly harmful aquatic invasive species (AIS). The spread of zebra mussels into other the park lakes could severely damage aquatic ecosystems. To stop this, the park decontaminates of all boats crossing from Rainy Lake to the uninfested Namakan Lake on the concessioner-operated Kettle Falls Portage, educates visitors about the dangers of AIS and how to prevent the spread of AIS, and coordinates AIS efforts with other groups and agencies. Preventing the spread of AIS is one of the most critical tasks in the park.

SERVICE DESCRIPTION: Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Technicians will work with park staff to decontaminate watercraft and educate visitors about AIS and AIS prevention. Since park decontamination operations are new and evolving, on-the-ground insights by Technicians can help improve the park’s processes. Technicians will also work on natural and cultural resource projects with park staff to gain experience in multiple resource management activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Decontaminate watercraft with high-temperature water (~120-140°F) to prevent the spread of zebra mussels
• Educate boaters and other visitors about the impacts of AIS and how to prevent the spread of AIS
• Coordinate with concession and park staff to ensure smooth decontamination operations
• Operate motorboats to reach the work area
• Perform minor maintenance and troubleshooting activities on the decontamination unit
• Keep supervisor informed of problems and supply/equipment needs
• Work with park natural and cultural resource staff in the field, lab, and office

 HOUSING:

• Voyageurs National Park provides on-site housing. Occupants are assigned individual rooms in units with a shared living room, kitchen (with some pots, pans, plates, and utensils), and one or more bathrooms. A laundry facility is present onsite.
• A check-in/check-out procedure will be utilized for housing. Occupants may be charged for damages exceeding regular duplex facilities’ wear and tear.
• The housing area is about 40 miles from International Falls, which has a grocery store, a hospital, two medical clinics, a movie theater, shopping, and multiple churches.

TRAINING OFFERED:

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-based AIS inspection and decontamination
• Operation and basic troubleshooting of AIS decontamination unit
• S. Department of the Interior Motorboat Operator Certification Course
• Guidance on developing strong application packages for Federal jobs

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum age requirement is 18 years old
• Able to perform duties in conditions such as cold, heat, high humidity, rain, and the presence of mosquitoes and other biting insects
• Able to perform work requiring standing, stooping, bending, and other moderately strenuous activities for up to an hour at a time
• Willingness to learn and perform motorboat operation
• Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to multitask and shift schedule and priorities to meet changing conditions
• Upon hire, a criminal background check will be conducted. Service with WisCorps will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed

WisCorps provides equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran per applicable federal, state, and local laws. We are committed to assuring equal employment opportunity and equal access to services, programs, and activities for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability, and need to access information in an alternative format, or need it translated into another language, please contact us at 608-782-2494, by email at [email protected] or Wisconsin Relay 711.