ACE Conservation Corps Crew Member – Eastern Crew – May 31st

Job Overview

Summary:

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 work for 4 to 6 months 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 US’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!

Start Date: May 31st, 2023

Estimated End Dates:

August 2nd, 2023 (for 2 month term)

August 30th, 2023 (for 4 month term)

November 29th, 2023 (for 6 month term)

Location: Asheville, NC

Projects take place throughout Eastern Region including Great Smoky Mountains National Park- NC/TN, Daniel Boone National Forest – KY, Gettysburg National Military Park- PA, Blue Ridge Parkway- NC/VA, Congaree National Park – SC, Jimmy Carter National Historic Site – GA, Flint Hills National Wildlife Refuge – KS, Cumberland Island National Seashore – GA, Aransas National Wildlife Refuge- TX, 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 more 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.

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:

• Habitat restoration
• Trail construction and maintenance
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Reforestation
• Forest thinning
• Plant identification
• Fencing
• Invasive species removal
• Swamping
• Historic Preservation

Corps Members get experience working with or in conjunction with the following tools and equipment, depending on their level of training:

Trail Maintenance: Pick mattocks, Pulaskis, shovels, single/double jacks, McLeods, single bit axes, rock bars, chisels, crosscut saws, and grip hoists

Restoration Equipment: Herbicide backpack sprayers, spray bottles, GPS units, and measuring tools

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

Preservation Techniques: Adobe, Roofing, Carpentry

Special Benefits

Benefits: Member compensation and benefits include a package valued at over $1,700/month.

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

Corpsmembers obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,374.60 (for 2 month term), $1,718.25 (for 4 month term) or $3,247.50 (for 6 month term).

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

ACE provides corpsmembers with free housing during their term of service. 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.

AmeriCorps members may also be eligible for qualifying child care coverage and federal loan forbearance. Additional enrollment steps are required.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent. The member will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, and hiking boots. Upon acceptance to the program, members will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear. Members will have access to deeply discounted Pro Deals via Outdoor Prolink once they are offered and accept a position, and will have the opportunity to purchase discounted gear prior to their arrival.

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

Minimum 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.

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:

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

Physical Demands, Work Environment and Working Conditions:

• Physical Demands: Requires frequent sitting, standing, walking, hiking, carrying, using hands to handle or feel, reaching with hands and arms, talking and hearing. Manual dexterity required for use of various tools or equipment. Required to stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and/or crouch. Ability to hike over rough terrain, and camp overnight under field conditions.
• Vision Requirements: Close, distance, peripheral and depth perception vision as well as the ability to focus may be required.
• Weight Lifted or Force Exerted: Frequently moves up to 25 lbs., ability to move up to 60 pounds.
• Environmental: Outdoor and indoor conditions. Work environment conditions can change frequently; working under adverse weather conditions and in various climates.
• Noise Environment: Moderate to high noise such gas-powered chainsaws and other hand and power tools.
• Travel: This position requires domestic travel.