ACE Crew AmeriCorps Member - California/Pacific West Backcountry Trails/Chainsaw Crews

American Conservation Experience - Pacific West Region AmeriCorps Crew Membership

Backcountry Trails and Chainsaw Restoration Crews

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 intends to provide a meaningful service to regional communities and public lands by taking direct action through conservation of our valuable natural resources. Our mission is to introduce and prepare our AmeriCorps members for careers in resource management with ACE, within the conservation corps industry, or with public agencies such as California State Parks, USFS, National Park Service, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Bureau of Land Management, as well as many other local and non-profit land steward organizations.

Start Date: March 18, 2022

*Arrivals to ACE housing are planned for THURSDAY, March 17

End Date: September 14, 2022 (25 weeks/900 AmeriCorps Hours) *900 hour service members preferred, please inquire for 450 hour availability

Position Description: AmeriCorps Members in our Crew program will spend several months learning techniques of conservation and public land management with relationship to planned field projects scheduled for the 2022 season. Relative training includes project-specific concepts of trail construction, dry stone masonry, forest ecology techniques and restoration involving the use of a chainsaw, enhanced safety training, and Leave No Trace principles, under the guidance of ACE's skilled Crew leaders and Project Managers alongside Agency Partner Advisors. The goal of the position is to accomplish meaningful project work for a variety of public land management agencies while becoming proficient in advanced field techniques, building resumes, and advancing career pathways.

This position will entail the following:

• Working 10 hours per day for 4-8 consecutive days on a crew comprised of 6-12 other service members in outdoor locations. 40 hours/week of project time expected regularly.
• 3-6 days off in between your project trips.
• Working and camping (including backcountry) in a variety of weather including temperatures ranging from cold overnights (freezing temperatures), hot and dry (90+ degrees), high winds, intense sunshine, and rain may be possible in California during this time period at all elevations.
• Assisting CA State Parks partnerships and Federal public land managers, and non-profit public lands
• Serving on environmental stewardship projects including (but not limited to): Trail Construction/Maintenance, Dry Stone Masonry, Retaining Wall and Rock Step Construction when assigned to trail crews, and Forest Ecology Fuels Restoration and Habitat Restoration using a chainsaw when assigned to Restoration Crews. Alternative restoration projects are possible.
• Hiking extended distances on potentially steep and rough terrain with a 40-pound backpack

Location(s):

• Housing for "off-days" located in our Sacramento and/or Ridgecrest, CA headquarters of ACE Pacific West. Member project assignments are announced several weeks in advance when possible. Transfers between housing locations is unlikely, but possible due to changing project assignments.
• Members may experience new locations as project involvement progresses. Backcountry trail crews have a higher likelihood of travel outside of the state of California. (Pacific Crest Trail)

• ACE housing is shared among all current crew members and staff. Basic accommodations include bed, personal storage, running hot/cold water, shared bathrooms, WI-FI, and full shared kitchen and furnished living + dining room
• Projects are expected to be within a several hour driving radius of housing, with transportation to and from the project site provided by ACE
• Both frontcountry and remote backcountry camping are expected for crews this season

• 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.

Benefits:

• Housing (residential housing, tents on project days) 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 900 hours, receipt of Segal Education Award of $3172.50. More information regarding amount and eligibility, see the AmeriCorps website.
• Food is provided on all project days. Project campsites include all cooksets, stoves, and supplies for members to make their meals during project trips.
• Training includes Universal Trail Building Principles, Leave No Trace (LNT), diverse restoration management, masonry techniques and trail engineering, and terrain-specific trail work and hand tools and power tools as projects require. Members should expect to be trained in all the tools and techniques needed to successfully complete their scheduled 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 as a gateway to potential advancement within ACE, not only as an interesting and rewarding way to spend several months working in beautiful locations. 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:

• US Citizens and US permanent residents (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 or request medical or religious exemption.
• ACE provides tents 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 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.
• Drug users, including users of marijuana, should not consider applying as ACE reserves the right to drug test and absolutely abhors the presence of drug users in our program. ACE intends to be a positive influence and intends to create safe and healthy environments for our members. 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 most ACE housing locations to street parking only, at ones' own risk and regulated by local city parking ordinances. Due to this, it is generally encouraged not to bring a personal vehicle and arrive via drop-off or public transportation. Please inquire about which regional location may have any off-street parking available this season.

INCLUDE WITH ALL APPLICATIONS: Upload all requested documents including your motivation statement, resume, and 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 teams, in your own words.

NOTE: If you have any questions regarding this position, please feel free to contact the Associate Director of Member Resources, Marcel Coppolino at 928-814-3191 or marcel@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 Backcountry Trails/Chainsaw Crews Jobs at American Conservation Experience - CREW