ACE Crew AmeriCorps Member - California/Pacific West - September/October Start Dates

American Conservation Experience - Pacific West Division

AmeriCorps Crew Membership

SEPTEMBER and OCTOBER START DATES

Summary: American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps, is currently seeking energetic and ambitious participants to engage in national service as AmeriCorps members in a multi-week professional, outdoor skills-training opportunity. ACE Pacific West intends to provide meaningful service on public lands throughout California and neighboring states by training and supervising AmeriCorps members a they conduct conservation field projects. Our mission is to introduce and prepare our AmeriCorps members for careers in resource management within the conservation corps industry or with public agencies such as California State Parks, US Forest Service, National Park Service, National Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Land Management, as well as many other local and non-profit land steward organizations.

Upcoming START/END Date Enrollment Options:

09/02/22 - 12/07/22 (450 Hours)

09/02/22 - 03/15/23 (900 Hours)

09/16/22 - 12/21/22 (450 Hours)

09/16/22 - 03/29/23 (900 Hours)

10/14/22 - 02/01/23 (450 Hours)

10/14/22 - 04/26/2023 (900 Hours)

10/28/22 - 02/15/23 (450 Hours)

10/28/22 - 05/10/23 (900 Hours)

All term start dates and lengths include the option to extend service if desired.

Term of Service Description: AmeriCorps Members in our Crew program are expected to partake in resource conservation projects 40 hours each week of their term of service. Members can expect to learn field conservation techniques as they engage in field projects on public lands. Hands-on training is provided and may include concepts of trail construction, dry stone masonry, invasive plant removal, revegetation, fence construction, forest ecology and restoration techniques, safety training, Leave No Trace principles, and more. Under the guidance of ACE's skilled Crew Leaders and Project Managers members may be exposed to a variety of partners and project types. The goal of ACE's Crew program is to complete meaningful conservation projects on public lands while providing personal and professional growth opportunities for members interested in advancing their career in natural resource management, conservation, or a variety of other fields.

This service position will entail the following:

• Working 10 hours per day for 4-8 consecutive days on a crew comprised of 4-20 other service members in outdoor locations. 40 hours/week of project time expected regularly.
• 3-6 days off in between projects.
• Working and camping (including the potential to camp in the backcountry) in a variety of weather and conditions including extreme temperatures, high winds, intense sunshine, precipitation, and high elevations.
• Serving on environmental stewardship projects including (but not limited to): trail construction/maintenance, dry stone masonry, retaining wall and rock step construction, fence construction, invasive plant management, native plant revegetation, fuels reduction, fire mitigation, and habitat restoration.
• Hiking extended distances on potentially steep and rough terrain with a 40-pound backpack

Location(s):

• Projects are expected to be within a several hour driving radius of Ridgecrest, CA and/or Sacramento, CA where ACE Pacific West has base locations. Transportation to and from project sites is provided by ACE. Member project assignments are scheduled well in advance but are subject to change.
• Projects may take place at high elevation uplands and mountains, coastal areas, sand dunes, valleys, grasslands, and inland foothills where temperatures vary from very cold and rainy to very hot and dry. You can expect to experience a combination of conditions from frost or rain, high winds, to thick fog, to extremely dry conditions.
• Housing for off-days is located near our Ridgecrest, CA and/or Sacramento, CA headquarters. Transfer between housing locations and/or between base locations is possible due to project requirements.
• ACE housing is shared among all current crew members and Crew Leaders. Dorm-style accommodations include a bed, personal storage, shared bathrooms, WI-FI, full shared kitchen, and furnished living and dining rooms.

Benefits:

• Housing (dorm-style residential housing on off days, housing in tents, barracks, or cabins on project days) is included at no cost to the member.
• A bi-weekly living allowance of $400 before taxes.
• All transport to and from field projects is included.
• Upon completion of their terms of service, members earn a Segal Education Award. Those who serve a 450 hour term receive an award of $1,678.57. Those who serve a 900 hour AmeriCorps members receive an award of $3,047.50. More information regarding amount and eligibility, see the AmeriCorps website.
• Food is provided at no cost to members on all project days. Project campsites include all cooksets, stoves, and supplies for members to make their meals during project trips.
• Training is typically project dependent but can include trail construction and maintenance, Leave No Trace (LNT), restoration techniques, wilderness first aid (WFA), chainsaw training, power tool training, plant propagation, invasive species removal, fencing, masonry techniques and trail engineering, and safety training. Members should expect to be trained in all the tools and techniques needed to successfully complete their scheduled conservation projects.

Qualifications:

The ACE Conservation Corps Crew program is an excellent way to engage in national service, start or further your professional development, and invest in your future. It is also a stepping stone to environmental careers and can be a gateway to advancement within conservation organizations throughout the country. In addition, service with ACE is an interesting and rewarding way to spend several months working in beautiful locations with other members who share a passion for conservation and the outdoors. AmeriCorps members serving on ACE field crews should take joy in tackling challenges with a positive mindset. Applicants should be willing to undertake physical work in all types of weather and terrain, and to participate as a team member dedicated to ACE's mission.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must prove US citizenship or US permanent residency (AmeriCorps membership requirement).
• To prove eligibility and citizenship, members must be able to provide ORIGINALS of the following documents: 1) Social Security card, 2) Passport or Birth certificate, 3) Photo ID (passport, driver's license, military license/ID, or student ID).
• The minimum age to serve with ACE is 18. United States Public Land Corps (PLC) legislation targets applicants of 18-35 years of age in this opportunity.
• ACE members must verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by the time the start their term. The service opportunities and shared housing provided in ACE's Crew program make exemptions to this requirement extremely limited.
• ACE provides tents and group cooking equipment to all members, but all other camping items such as all-leather boots (no exterior mesh or fabric), sleeping bags, backpacks, water containers, and raingear must be provided by the applicant.
• Due to fire hazard conditions in ACE (specifically in California), smoking is not permitted at any work site. Smoking will not be permitted when on project at undeveloped campgrounds or when serving in the backcountry. Smoking may be permitted at ACE housing, but will be restricted to designated areas.
• Upon hire, all members must consent to a Criminal History Check. Their service with ACE will be considered probationary until all results are returned and have been reviewed.
• Users of recreational drugs or federally controlled substances, including users of marijuana, should not consider applying. ACE reserves the right to drug test and all recreational drug use is prohibited by AmeriCorps, even in states where a drug may be legal. Alcohol use is strictly prohibited on ACE projects and on ACE property. Any evidence of drug use or violating ACE's alcohol policy will result in immediate release from the program.
• All work-related transportation is included during service.

• Parking can be limited at ACE residential properties to suburban street parking only, at ones' own risk and regulated by local city parking ordinances. Due to this, it is generally encouraged to bring a personal vehicle only if absolutely necessary. Arrivals via drop-off or public transportation can be accommodated. WE WILL PICK YOU UP AT A LOCAL AIRPORT, BUS STATION OR TRAIN STATION on arrival day. Please inquire about any available off-street parking options in our various communities within California.

INCLUDE WITH ALL APPLICATIONS: Upload all requested documents including your motivation statement, resume, and 2-3 professional, academic or community references. Please include a motivation statement which sincerely describes your interests, skills, professional goals, and any other relevant information in regards to this opportunity. This is your opportunity to stand out and express why you are a great addition to our team, in your own words.

NOTE: If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact the ACE Pacific West's Member Support Coordinators: Matt Daniels mdaniels@usaconservation.org or Dawn Cramer dcramer@usaconservation.org.

Check out our Facebook page, YouTube Channel, and social media for more details about ACE!

www.facebook.com/usaconservation

www.usaconservation.org

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) To file a complaint of discrimination: write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Current Openings for ACE Crew AmeriCorps Member California/Pacific West September/October Start Dates Jobs at American Conservation Experience - CREW