Job Description

Office Location: Asheville, NC

Projects take place throughout Eastern Region including Great Smoky Mountains National Park- NC/TN, Mammoth Cave National Park - KY, Gettysburg National Military Park- PA, Blue Ridge Parkway- NC, Congaree National Park - SC, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site - GA, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge - KS, Cumberland Island National Seashore - GA, Timucuan Ecological and Historical Preserve - FL, and Manassas National Battlefield - VA, among other locations.

Schedule: Project schedules vary, but typically corpsmembers work 5 days on/ 2 days off or 4 days on/ 3 days off. For remote projects, corpsmembers spend off-days nearer to their project location for multiple project schedule cycles. Camping or other accommodations are provided between project cycles while on remote projects.

Member must be willing to commit to the full duration of the AmeriCorps term (1200 hours).

Start Date: March 1st, 2023 (or flexible)

End Date: October 28th, 2023 (or flexible)

Position Description:

Members serve in professionally supervised teams as they explore future outdoor careers, learn practical field skills, and develop confidence as emerging leaders in the field of conservation. Members are afforded opportunities to learn and train under the guidance of professional mentors within ACE, while gaining invaluable career perspectives working alongside staff from the National Park Service, US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Fish and Wildlife Service, and many other stewards of our nation's public lands.

Field work and other duties might include but are not limited to what is listed below. Corps Members get experience working with or in conjunction with the listed tools and equipment, depending on their level of training.

• Habitat restoration; using herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools
• Trail construction and maintenance; using pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and grip hoists
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Plant identification
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping
• Historic Preservation

Power Tools and Gas Powered Equipment: Chainsaws, brush-cutters, drills, saws, and compressors

Preservation Techniques: Adobe, Roofing, Carpentry

Special Benefits

Benefits: Members will receive a Living Allowance Stipend of $240/week, ($480/biweekly).

Corpsmembers obtain an Education Award for the amount of $4,546.50 upon successful completion of service term.

Member will receive two full weeks of training with ACE staff members and on-the-job training to gain skills related to the position. ACE is committed to providing the most educational, rewarding, and challenging experience possible to best prepare participants for future careers in the stewardship of America's public lands.

Skills and training include:

• Leave No Trace Training
• Wilderness First Aid (WFA) Certification
• Chainsaw training
• Crosscut training

ACE provides corpsmembers with food during all project days; corpsmembers are responsible for providing their own food on off-days.

ACE provides corpsmembers with free housing during their term of service, including weekends. When working in or near the Asheville, NC, corpsmembers spend off days in our hostel-style housing. When working remotely, corpsmembers will be provided housing in those remote locations. Housing may come in the form of campgrounds, bunkhouses, airbnbs, and more. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.

Public Land Corps Hiring Authority (PLC): ACE Members serving under this agreement may be eligible for a special, non-competitive hiring authority upon completion of their term. Qualifying members who serve a "minimum of 640 hours of satisfactory service on appropriate conservation projects as defined in the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 and at least 120 hours were served on a project utilizing the Public Lands Corps legal authority." Eligible members must meet standard requirements of completing at least 640 hours and utilize their certificate before the age of 30.PLC is a work and education program that allows individuals aged 16-30 opportunities to work on the rehabilitation and restoration of public lands. Successful completion of a qualifying PLC project may qualify applicants for a permanent position in the Forest Service or National Park Service.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent, uniforms, and assigns each crew with camp cooking and kitchenware. The member will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, pants, warm clothing, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, corpsmembers will receive a more extensive packing list and access to discounted prodeals from leading manufacturers in outdoor gear and apparel. Weather can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. If access to gear is a barrier to entry, please email Emily (eoostveen@usaconservation.org). ACE Eastern has a gear lending program that members may qualify for.

Travel: ACE provides transportation to and from worksites; personal vehicles are not necessary throughout the member's term of service, and parking at ACE facilities is limited. ACE does not provide relocation assistance.

Requirements

Qualifications: Applicants must be capable of performing physically demanding labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying up to 40 lbs, and be prepared to spend 8 consecutive days in the field on each project. Members will work in a variety of weather conditions such as temperatures ranging from below freezing to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, high winds, intense sunshine, rain, and snow. Members should be prepared to live in communal housing with other members of the program. Members should expect to have roommates, and must inform staff of any housing preferences or required accommodations.

COVID-19: All ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the start of their term.

Required:

• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• Able and willing to work in a group
• Able and willing to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and capable of hiking moderate distances in somewhat rough terrain during inclement weather conditions
• Ability and willingness to undergo a Federal criminal history check
• ACE Members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19 or have requested and been granted a medical or religious exemption to vaccination by the time they start their term.

Preferred:

• Experience in hiking and navigation in steep terrain
• Strong desire to enter the conservation field as a natural resource professional
• Experience or interest in volunteering in local communities

The member must be willing to represent ACE and AmeriCorps in a professional, positive, and enthusiastic manner. ACE has a zero tolerance policy for illegal drugs and underage drinking. ACE reserves the right to require drug testing.

To Apply: Please submit a thoughtful resume and cover letter along with 3 professional references using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of the position listing on our website.

Open until filled, positions are limited.

NOTE: 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 the Outreach & Member Support Coordinator, Emily Oostveen, eoostveen@usaconservation.org.

EEO: American Conservation Experience provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, American Conservation Experience complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

Why work here

American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with a regional base in Asheville, NC, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects throughout the Eastern US. This opportunity is intended for those looking to learn valuable skills for their career while immersed in a community of like-minded young professionals from around the country. Members will work on projects including ecological restoration, habitat improvement, and trail maintenance and construction, all while completing a term of AmeriCorps service. While serving, members typically have 2-3 days off between each project to enjoy the Eastern state's abundant beauty and recreational opportunities with their friends and colleagues. Take your first step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today!

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