ACE Southwest - AmeriCorps Team Leader - Spring 2024

American Conservation Experience (ACE) is a national non-profit conservation corps dedicated to providing career development and outdoor experiential learning opportunities to young adults interested in careers related to environmental conservation. The ACE AmeriCorps ATL program engages and motivates participants seeking to broaden their leadership skills and expand their professional knowledge in conservation.

AmeriCorps Team Leader (ATL) - ACE Conservation Crew - Southwest Arizona

Start Date: Immediately

Summary:

ACE is seeking an AmeriCorps Team Leader (ATL) Corps Members committed to working 12 weeks (450 hours) on outdoor conservation projects.

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Projects take place throughout the Southwest including Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, and other nearby locations. Common project locations include Coconino National Forest, Grand Canyon National Park, Santa Fe National Forest, Capulin Volcano National Monument, Rainbow Bridge National Monument, and Prescott National Forest.

Schedule: Project schedules vary greatly, but typically members serve 8 days on/ 6 days off or 4 days on/ 3 days off. For remote projects, members spend off days nearer to their project location. Remote projects often last multiple project schedule cycles.

Covid-19:

• 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.

Benefits:

ATL members will receive a Living Allowance of $480/week, paid bi-weekly.

ATL members obtain an Education Award for the amount of $1,824.07 (for 12 weeks) upon successful completion of service.

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

ACE provides members with free housing accommodations during their term of service. When working in or near the Southwest, members spend off days in our hostel-style housing in Flagstaff, Arizona. When working at project sites farther afield, members will be provided housing accommodations in those remote locations. The member will provide their own blankets/pillows/sleeping bag/towels.

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

Gear: ACE provides each member with their own tent. The member will provide their 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 before 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.

Position Description:

As a member of ACE crew, ATL assists Crew Leaders in the logistics and administration of teams of Conservation Corps members performing environmental conservation and restoration projects throughout the Southwest United States. ATLs provide leadership to Corps members, training in technical skills, and lead partial teams of Corps members. ATL also may train Corps members in conservation work skills and outdoor living skills. Work projects are almost exclusively outdoors, involve 80 hours of strenuous physical labor in all weather conditions and climates, and may involve backcountry camping for several days in remote wilderness locations.

ACE projects typically include:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Invasive species removal
• Habitation restoration
• Fence installation/repair
• Dry and wet stone masonry
• Forest management
• Fire fuels reduction

Typical Duties:

• Assisting in leading crews that are performing conservation work projects
• Assisting the Crew Leader in logistical details of transportation, tools, equipment, living arrangements, field communication, and work project completion.
• Receiving ACE driver training and assisting the Crew Leader in transporting the crew to worksites
• Camping with the crew during projects
• Maintaining and repairing hand/power tools and other equipment as necessary.
• Hiking, backpacking, camping, and cooking outdoors while at front-country or backcountry campsites.
• Assisting in completing project paperwork where necessary, including weekly reports, safety sheets, accident reports, end-of-week checklists, feedback forms, and others as required.
• Organizing and overseeing the efficient and orderly management of the crew camp.
• Overseeing all aspects of the de-rig process and ensuring that all corps members are assigned and perform their de-rig responsibilities properly and thoroughly.

Qualifications: All Assistant Team Leader applicants must have at least 3 months of experience with crew-based conservation field work. Applicants should be prepared to perform physically challenging labor on environmental and conservation projects for 10 hours a day. Applicants should expect to hike extended distances on rough terrain carrying backpacks, tools, and equipment, 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.

Required:

• U.S. Citizen or permanent resident
• 3 months of experience with crew-based conservation field work
• 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
• Willingness to undergo and must pass a required three-part criminal history check

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
• A willingness to be outside

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 60lbs.
• 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.

Environmental Conditions/Hazards: The ACE member(s) may encounter environmental conditions/hazards including extreme heat or cold, rocky terrain, swamp or wetland conditions, biting insects, and potentially dangerous wildlife. The member is expected to conduct duties in a safe and orderly manner so as not to endanger self, fellow staff/members or resources.

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, complete a motivational statement (instructions are provided when applying) OR upload a cover letter, and provide at least two references that are either professional or from a community leader (e.g., colleagues, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, career advisors) using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right-hand corner of the position listing on our website: https://usaconservationcrew.applicantpool.com/jobs/.

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 contact Amylee Thornhill, Associate Director of Member Services at athornhill@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 nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities.

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 nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company has facilities.

Current Openings for ACE Southwest AmeriCorps Team Leader Spring 2023 Jobs at American Conservation Experience - CREW