ACE Southwest Short Term Conservation Crew Member

Summary:

Interested in a paid volunteer experience this summer, where you'll gain valuable outdoor skills, improve the environment, and work alongside like-minded individuals from across the country? American Conservation Experience is looking for short-term members to join our long-term crews as a way to experience "crew life" without committing to the traditional 3 or more month term - join ACE for 1 month!

Members will receive three meals a day, $100/wk for four weeks, a tent to use, access to additional gear depending on need, extensive training in areas like trail work, restoration, invasive species mitigation, leave no trace, communal camp living, and more.

American Conservation Experience, a non-profit conservation corps with a divisional branch in Flagstaff, Arizona, is looking for members to come join our team of young adults working on meaningful conservation projects throughout the Southwest, including areas like the Grand Canyon, Prescott National Forest, or expansive BLM lands across Arizona and New Mexico. 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. Take your first step towards beginning or advancing your career by applying with us today!

Upcoming Start Dates & Estimated End Dates:

August 15th - September 10th

Location: Flagstaff, Arizona

Projects take place throughout the Southwest, including areas like the Grand Canyon, Prescott National Forest, or expansive BLM lands across Arizona and New Mexico

Schedule: Corps members will work for two 8 day hitches, typically 10 hour days, and will have 6 days off between to explore and travel. Or they will work for four 4 day hitches, typically 10 hour days, and will have 3 days off between to explore and travel.

Benefits: Member compensation is $100/wk.

ACE provides corpsmembers with three meals a day during each project day.

ACE provides corpsmembers with free housing during their term of service. When working in or near Flagstaff, Arizona, corpsmembers spend off days in our hostel-style housing. When working remotely, corpsmembers will be provided housing in those remote locations. When on hitch, members will be living in their tent with a communal kitchen provided. The member will provide their own blankets/pillow/sleeping bag/towels.

Gear: ACE provides each member their own tent. The member will provide their own sleeping bag, sleeping pad, rain gear, a day-pack, and hiking boots. Some access to supplementary gear may be available depending on need. Upon acceptance to the program, corpsmembers will receive a more extensive packing list. Weather can be highly variable, so plan on bringing layers of warm clothing and adequate rain gear.

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:

Corpsmembers 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

Corpsmembers 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 griphoists
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

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. Corpsmembers 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
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 Resume, Cover Letter, and 3 References using the APPLY NOW section located on the upper right hand corner of this position listing. Rather than a traditional cover letter, please include a motivational 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: Early consideration will be given as applications are received. This position may close at any time.

For Southwest Arizona application questions, contact:

Olivia Newell-Bauer, onewell-bauer@usaconservation.org

Current Openings for ACE Southwest Short Term Conservation Crew Member Jobs at American Conservation Experience - CREW